After playing golf one Saturday during the summer, Joel Pritchard, congressman from Washington State and Bill Bell, successful businessman, returned to Pritchard’s home on Bainbridge Island, WA (near Seattle) to find their families sitting around with nothing to do. The property had an old badminton court so Pritchard and Bell looked for some badminton equipment and could not find a full set of rackets. They improvised and started playing with ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball. At first they placed the net at badminton height of 60 inches and volleyed the ball over the net. As the weekend progressed, the players found that the ball bounced well on the asphalt surface and soon the net was lowered to 36 inches. The following weekend, Barney McCallum was introduced to the game at Pritchard’s home. Soon, the three men created rules, relying heavily on badminton. They kept in mind the original purpose, which was to provide a game that the whole family could play together.
Saddlebrooke Ranch Pickleball Community – The 5 Basic Rules of Pickleball For Beginners.
The five rules of pickleball are that the ball must stay inbounds, there should be one bounce per side, serving must be done at the baseline, the serve can’t land in the no-volley zone, and the game ends at 11, 15, or 21 points.
SaddleBrooke Ranch Golf Community – Golf Course Update
Golf Course Update August 16th, 2021
Our fairways are looking better every week! We ask golfers to support this progress by filling not only divots in the fairway, but also on the tee boxes. Use sand which is available throughout the golf course in brown bins, located at the tee area on holes #1, #6 and #10, and the restroom at #14/#15.
Communications Update: A few weeks ago, the community’s email service was expanded, allowing the pro shop to send out The Ranch Forecaddie and Course Updates directly to the email subscription group. Subscription choices were also expanded so you can opt to get either publication or both! We automatically added everyone subscribed to the Forecaddie to the Update subscription, but you can cancel that at any time if it becomes “info overload” for you. Speaking of subscriptions, we have almost 2200 emails signed up!!
Subscription Sign Up: If someone wants to sign up for either the Forecaddie, or the Course Update, have them follow these directions:
- Go to the SBR HOA website – saddlebrookeranchhoa.org
- Click on the Communications tab.
- Scroll down to “Subscribing to Newsletters”
- Click on link provided and fill out the form provided.
The newly sprigged greens continue to fill in. Maintenance has been fertilizing and topdressing to promote further growth and begin the process of smoothing the surface. Cutting height is now just under 1/4”! The USGA visited and was very impressed with the grow in! We also learned another aspect of how to tell when the greens are ready for play, thatch mat thickness. The USGA recommends a 1/2” mat so the greens can hold up to play. The front nine is at 1/4″ and the back nine is at” 1/8”. It will take an estimated 6 weeks for the mat on both nines to get to 1/2”.
Holes #9, #10, #13 (the second half only), and #15 are cart path only to assist the turf recover. Those with handicap flags may enter the fairway on those holes.
The ice and water machine at the pro shop has been repaired and is chock full of ice!
Most Misunderstood Rules – Line Calls
The basic pickleball line call rules are:
- The pickleball must land in the correct service court on the serve. All of the lines of the correct service court, except for the Non-Volley Zone line (also known as the Kitchen line), are “in.” This means that if the served pickleball lands on the sideline, centerline, or baseline, the serve is “in.” If the pickleball lands in the Non-Volley Zone (or the Kitchen), on the Non-Volley Zone line, or completely outside of the lines of the correct service court, then the serve is “out.”
- On any shot other than the serve in pickleball, the pickleball is “in” if it lands anywhere on the pickleball court. This includes all of the lines of the pickleball court. In other words, if the pickleball lands on the sideline, centerline, baseline, or the Non-Volley Zone line on any shot, other than the serve, then the pickleball is “in.” If the pickleball lands completely outside of the lines on the pickleball court, then the pickleball is “out.”
Saddlebrooke Ranch Pickleball Community – How We Play!
Last time we looked at the Outdoor pickleball and its characteristics. This time we look at the Indoor pickleball.
Indoor pickleball characteristics
- Tailored for smoother indoor court surfaces and the still air of indoor play
- Are made from softer plastic
- Lighter
- Have larger, fewer holes – usually about 26
- Don’t bounce as high
- Allow for more control in your serve – though with less power, that can lead to longer rallies than a more hard-hitting outdoor game
- Weighs about 0.8 ounces
- Wears out by going soft, versus going out of round or cracking
- Hurt less if you get hit by one!
Players playing socially actually can chose the ball that fits them best, usually based on their level of play. The softer indoor ball may fit for outdoor play as a player increases their skills. You will likely want to ultimately transition to the outdoor ball as your skills improve. As you move indoors during inclement weather or colder seasons of the year you want to use the indoor ball on slicker floor surfaces.
SaddleBrooke Ranch Golf Community – Resident Links Benefit Program
Robson Golf Links Program:
As a Resident of a SaddleBrooke Ranch Adult Lifestyle Golf Community, you can play golf at all seven Robson Resort Communities across Arizona and Texas at the low Resident rate.* Get your golf buddies and take a road trip! Enjoy great weather and championship golf while you tee it up at all of the Robson Resort Golf Clubs. Expect the home course treatment because you always have the home course honors at any Robson Resort Community.
- PebbleCreek
- Robson Ranch
- The Preserve at SaddleBrooke
- Quail Creek
- Robson Ranch Texas
*Tee times must be made by phone or in person and will be based on space available.
What is the Difference between Out-door and In-door Pickleballs?
Outdoor pickleball balls are heavier, harder, made of smooth plastic and have 40 drilled holes. Due to their weight and construction, outdoor pickleballs are less effected by wind.
Outdoor pickleballs come off the paddle faster and harder than indoor balls. They are easier to hit hard due to having less drag. However, outdoor pickleballs are more difficult to control and require finesse to place accurately. With outdoor balls, rounds are typically shorter.
Outdoor balls sometimes crack or go out-of-round. Outdoor balls can last a few rounds or much longer. Lifespan depends on players’ style, playing surface, and even the temperature. To check roundness, hit a ball up into the air with spin and watch how the ball moves.
Since outdoor balls are slightly larger, heavier, and harder, they’re noisier, and getting hit with one hurts more than an indoor ball.
Next: The In-door Pickleball
SaddleBrooke Ranch Golf Community – Contact Info and Hours
WELCOME TO SBR GOLF
Making the most of its beautiful setting, the SaddleBrooke Ranch Golf Club 18-hole championship golf course is located on a mesa with breathtaking vistas of the natural desert landscape. Drop by your home course, where the golf staff greets you by name, and enjoy a day with friends on the links.
Designed by the Tom Schroeder team, the 18-hole championship course meanders through lush green desert terrain with natural washes and mountain views from almost every direction. Mounds, hollows and bunkers surrounding large, receptive greens offer an enjoyable challenge for novices as well as avid golfers.
31280 S. Amenity Drive
Oracle, Arizona 85623
Contact:
Pro shop: 520-818-6403
After Hours Cell: 520-561-1196
Chelsea: https://sbranch.chelseareservations.com
Your Chelsea home page has access to tee times and events as well as the golf event and maintenance calendars, special event news, rate sheets and annual/play card applications, seasonal daily frost delay info and golf starting times, and greens committee minutes.
SBRMGA: www.sbrmga.org
SBRWGA: www.sbrwga.org
Greens Committee: sbrgreencommittee@gmail.com
Hours:
Pro Shop Hours – Open 30 minutes before the first tee time and 1 hour before shotguns. Soft close at 3:30pm as staff go out to check the course carrying the pro shop cell phone (520-561-1196).
Staff is available until one hour before sunset.
First tee time: 10-1 to 10-14: 7:00 10-15 to 10-31: 7:15
Morning Shotgun: 8:00
Afternoon Shotgun: 1:00
Rate Periods: 10-1 to 10-31: Prime 7:00 – 11:22 Midday 11:30 – 1:22 Twilight 1:30 – 2:52, Super Twilight 3:00 – Sunset
The Three Most Important Things to Consider When Selecting a Pickleball Paddle
Here are three key considerations for everyone considering what pickleball paddle to purchase.
#1 Price. Good composite pickleball paddles start at $50. There are three categories of paddles – wood prices range from $13-$36, composite from $45-$145 and graphite from $60 – $145. Note on wood paddles – Wood paddles are the least expensive, however they are super heavy paddles with a solid plywood core. They don’t provide the wonderful pickleball POP that players love. After playing with the wood paddles and testing out other players’ composite paddles players quickly change to a composite or graphite paddle. If you’re new to pickleball and looking for your first paddle, go for an inexpensive composite or graphite paddle right away.
#2 Weight. Weight is the most important factor when choosing a paddle. Pickleball paddles can range from 6 to 14 ounces. Most composite or graphite paddles weigh from 6 to 9 ounces. Weight influences how a paddle feels when you pick it up and swing it on the court. For someone without pre-existing injuries, your choice of paddle weight is entirely up to your personal fitness level and comfort. A heavier paddle will help you to drive the ball, but will provide less control of the ball. However, be aware that the heaviness of the paddle also accelerates fatigue in your arm, and can strain your elbow. Conversely, a paddle that is too light may not provide enough drive but will increase ball control.
#3 Grip Size. It is important to play with a paddle that has the correct grip circumference for your hand. Playing with a paddle grip that is too big may cause the paddle to slip in your hand and can lead to elbow problems. For this reason if you are trying to decide between two sizes, try the smaller size first. Smaller grips allow for more wrist action, which aids in putting spin on the ball and enhances control. This wrist action also produces powerful serves, and facilitates quick hand changes for those players that switch hands during play. A larger grip will provide more stability, and be easier on your arm, so you can see that it is important to find the “just right” size for your hand. Competitive pickleball players often customize their paddle grips using an over-grip to re-wrap their paddle exactly to fit their personal preference.
Almost all paddle grip sizes are between 4 to 4 1/2 inches in circumference. Like tennis, pickleball grips are broken down into 1/8 inch increments. The most common grip sizes are 4 , 4 1/8, 4 1/4 and 4 1/2 inch circumference.
Pickleball Active Adult Community SaddleBrooke Ranch – Opportunities For New Members
Pickleball Anyone? The SBR Pickleball Club and it’s over 450 members are driven to provide
the best pickleball experience possible at Saddlebrooke Ranch. This is an opportunity for
members to sharpen your skills and move to a higher level of play.
We are working with Engage Pickleball to customize a pickleball camp for our club members
that are currently club rated at 3.0, 3.5 & 4.0. The camp will be held right here at the Ranch
October 29th and 30th. Depending on the popularity of this camp, we may provide future
camps for all levels.
This will be a two day camp (6 hours each day) for a total fee ranging $475 – $500 with an
opportunity to purchase an Engage paddle at a 50% discount. These camps are limited to 30
players in order to provide the best experience for players.
To see more about the camps, click this link
Once at the site, click on pro-multi day camps in the menu header bar for camp details. A few
of our members recently attended an Engage camp in San Diego and felt it was money well
spent.
If you are interested in attending this camp, or a future camp, please complete the simple
Survey Monkey (two questions) by following this link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DMQYGLF
If you have questions, please contact Beth Chamberlin at bethiechamberlin@gmail.co
If you have questions, please contact Beth Chamberlin at bethiechamberlin@gmail.com
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