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Backyard Review

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Which backyard games fit in my yard?

Type in the open space you have and see every game that fits, drawn to scale with room to run. Then jump to the gear.

How much flat, clear space do you have?

ft
ft

Measure the open area you would actually play on, not the whole property.

Your space

30 × 50 ft

1,500 sq ft

Games that fit

6 of 9

Selected

Pickleball

Court fits, run-off is tight

Pickleball in your space

Pickleball

The court is 20 × 44 ft. A 30 × 60 ft area leaves room to run. It needs a hard, flat surface.

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How this is calculated

Playing sizes: pickleball and badminton doubles 20 × 44 ft; volleyball about 30 × 60 ft; tennis 36 × 78 ft; cornhole boards 27 ft apart, front edge to front edge; horseshoe stakes 40 ft apart. Bocce, kubb and roundnet use common recreational sizes, since backyard versions are not standardized.

"Fits with room to play" means the court plus the run-off we assume on the sides and ends. "Court fits" means the lines fit but there is little room to run. We try both orientations. Surfaces matter too: pickleball, badminton and tennis really want hard, flat, level ground.

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Quick answers

How much space do I need for a pickleball court?

A pickleball court is 20 by 44 feet, and the common recommendation is a 30 by 60 foot area so players can run past the lines. It needs a hard, flat surface such as asphalt or concrete.

How much space do I need for cornhole?

Regulation boards are 4 feet long and 2 feet wide, set 27 feet apart front edge to front edge. Including the boards, that is a lane about 35 feet long. Many backyard players shorten the distance for kids.

What backyard games need the least space?

Cornhole, ladder toss, roundnet and horseshoes need the least room, with roundnet asking for roughly a 20-foot circle. Bocce and kubb need long, narrow strips, and volleyball, pickleball and badminton need the most.

Can I play pickleball on my lawn?

You can rally, but the ball will not bounce properly on grass. Pickleball is designed for a hard, flat surface, so a driveway, patio or sport court works much better.

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