Padel for Beginners: The Complete Guide

Updated June 2026 · Beginners Guide

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1. What is padel?

A padel court — smaller than tennis, enclosed by glass walls that stay in play after a bounce.

Padel is a racket sport played in doubles on an enclosed court roughly a third the size of a tennis court. Glass walls and metal mesh surround the playing area and are a central part of the game — after the ball bounces, players can play it off the glass.

The serve is underarm, the scoring follows tennis (15, 30, 40), and the doubles format means four players share the court. This combination makes padel unusually easy to start, highly social, and more tactically interesting than it first appears.

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2. How to get started with padel

The fastest route into padel is a beginner group session at a local club. Most clubs offer introductory sessions where a coach covers the rules, the serve, and basic positioning in 15–20 minutes before you start playing. Racket hire is usually available so you don’t need to buy anything upfront.

• How do I get started playing padel? First session checklist & rules basics
• Is padel easy to learn for beginners? What feels easy, what takes time
• How long does it take to learn padel? Realistic timeline from first rally to confident play
• Do you need lessons to start? When coaching helps most

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3. Your beginner padel journey

Follow this path from complete beginner to confident club player. Each step links to a dedicated guide.

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4. Equipment, clothing and costs

Padel is one of the most accessible racket sports to get into. For your first few sessions you need nothing more than court shoes and a racket — most clubs will hire one for £3–£5. The total cost to start from scratch (kit included) is typically £50–£80.

• What equipment do you need to start playing padel?
• What padel racket should a beginner use?
• Is padel expensive to get into?
• What should beginners wear to play padel?

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5. Padel vs tennis for beginners

Padel is generally easier to start than tennis. The underarm serve removes the biggest technical barrier for new players, the court is smaller so there’s less ground to cover, and the doubles format means you share the work. Most beginners can sustain a rally within their first 15 minutes on court.

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6. Five beginner padel mistakes to avoid

Most new players improve significantly faster when they focus on these five things.

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7. Padel culture and community

Padel is social by design. The doubles format means every game involves four people. The relatively short learning curve means players of different abilities can share a court enjoyably. And the mix-in format — where you rotate partners every set — is one of the best ways to meet people through sport.

• Why is padel such a social sport? What makes the format different from other racket sports
• Why is padel growing so fast in the UK? The numbers and the reasons behind the boom

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8. Padel origins and heritage

Padel was invented by Enrique Corcuera in Acapulco, Mexico in 1969. He built the first court in the garden of his home, adapting the space using existing walls as playing boundaries. The sport spread through Mexico and Spain before reaching the rest of the world — the UK padel boom is part of a global growth story that began with one man’s improvised court.

• Who invented padel and why? Enrique Corcuera and the 1969 origin story
• Padel origins: Acapulco, 1969 The full story of the sport’s founding
• Why does padel have walls? The design logic behind the enclosed court

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9. Beginner padel FAQs

What is padel?

Padel is a racket sport played in doubles on an enclosed glass-walled court. The serve is underarm, glass walls are part of play after a bounce, and scoring follows tennis. It is currently the fastest-growing racket sport in the UK.

Is padel easy for beginners?

Yes. Most beginners can sustain a rally within their first session. The underarm serve removes the biggest technical barrier, the smaller court reduces physical demands, and the doubles format means you share the work with a partner.

What equipment do I need to start playing padel?

For your first session you need court shoes and a racket — most clubs hire rackets for £3–£5. Once you play regularly, a beginner round-head racket (£30–£80) and padel balls are worth buying. Balls are not interchangeable with tennis balls.

How much does it cost to play padel?

Court hire typically ranges from £20–£40 per hour for the full court. With four players in doubles, that works out at £5–£10 per person per hour — one of the most affordable racket sports to play regularly.

Do I need to take lessons before playing padel?

No, but a beginner group session with a coach will accelerate your progress significantly. Most clubs run introductory sessions that cover rules, serves and basic positioning in 15–20 minutes before you start playing. These are usually £15–£25 per person.

What is the difference between padel and tennis?

Padel uses an underarm serve, is played in doubles on a smaller enclosed court, and allows wall play after the ball bounces. Tennis uses an overhead serve, allows singles, has a larger open court, and has no wall play. Padel is generally considered easier to start.

What should I wear to play padel?

Lightweight, breathable sports clothing and court shoes with lateral grip. Avoid running shoes — padel involves frequent side-to-side movement that running shoes don't support well. For indoor clubs, lighter kit works year-round. Outdoor courts may need an extra layer in autumn and winter.

How long does it take to get good at padel?

Most players feel comfortable in social games within 3–5 sessions. Playing with more experienced players, joining club mix-ins and taking occasional coaching sessions are the fastest routes to improvement. Intermediate level — where tactics and wall play become second nature — typically takes 6–12 months of regular play.

Where can I play padel near me?

Use the Playtomic app to find and book courts near you. Dedicated padel venues, leisure centres and tennis clubs across the UK now offer padel. See our UK padel venue guides for the best courts by city.

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