NLpadel Guide: Is This the Smart Tool You Need in 2026?

Scared to try NLPadel because you think you’ll embarrass yourself? Here’s the truth: everyone who walks onto their first court feels exactly like you do right now. 

NLPadel is taking over the Netherlands for one simple reason it’s the easiest racket sport to learn. No months of practice needed. No expensive equipment required. Just show up  grab a racket and start playing.

I was terrified before my first session. Twenty minutes later, I was keeping rallies going and actually having fun. That’s what makes this sport different. The walls do half the work for you.

What is This NLPadel Sport?

NlPadel sits somewhere between tennis and squash. You play on a smaller court with glass or mesh walls surrounding it. The racket has no strings it’s solid with holes. The ball looks like a tennis ball but has less pressure making it softer and slower.

You always play doubles (four players total). When the ball comes toward you it can bounce once on the ground. After that bounce it might hit the wall and you can still play it. These walls are your best friend as a beginner because they keep the ball in play much longer than tennis.

The Dutch approach emphasizes coaching community and accessibility. Clubs here focus on making sure everyone regardless of age or fitness can participate and improve at their own pace.

Why This Sport is Taking Over

Five years ago, Most people here had never heard of padel. Today courts are appearing in every major city. This isn’t a passing trend it’s a sport that genuinely works for busy people.

You Can Start Today

Unlike golf or tennis you don’t need weeks of lessons before playing your first real match. Most people can hold a basic rally after 15 minutes of instruction. My 62 year old neighbor tried it and now plays three times a week. My niece started at age 8. The skill floor is low enough that anyone can begin immediately.

Courts Are Finally Available

The biggest change? Courts are everywhere now. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven every city has multiple indoor facilities. You can book through apps on your phone often finding available slots the same day. This convenience matters when you’re trying to fit exercise into a busy schedule.

It Solves the ‘Exercise Should Be Fun’ Problem

Treadmills are boring. Solo workouts feel like a chore. Padel gives you a workout that doesn’t feel like work. You’re so focused on the game that you forget you’re exercising. An hour flies by. Then you realize you’ve burned 400 to 600 calories without noticing.

Your First Steps (Without Feeling Awkward)

The hardest part is showing up the first time. Here’s how to make it less awkward.

Finding the Right Club

Search ‘padel’ plus your city name. Look for clubs that specifically mention beginner programs or intro sessions. Call them and ask if they have beginner groups. Many clubs offer ‘first time free’ sessions where you can try without commitment.

Avoid fancy competition focused clubs for your first visit. Look for places that emphasize recreational play and community. Check Google reviews beginners usually mention if they felt welcomed or intimidated.

What You Actually Need

Don’t buy anything yet. For your first session you need:

• Athletic shoes (running shoes work fine)
• Comfortable clothes (whatever you’d wear to a gym)
• Water bottle

That’s it. Clubs rent rackets for €5 10. Try several before buying one. Once you’re hooked (which happens fast) invest in a beginner friendly racket around €60 to 80. Don’t let salespeople push expensive gear on you beginners don’t need €200 rackets.

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Your First Lesson Strategy

Book a group lesson not private. Group lessons cost less (€15 to 25) and you’ll meet other beginners who are just as nervous as you. Private lessons feel intense for first timers. Groups are relaxed and fun. The instructor will pair you up for simple drills and everyone messes up together. It’s actually bonding.

Can I go alone or do I need to bring people? You can absolutely go alone. Most clubs offer ‘walk in’ sessions where they match solo players together or you can join group lessons where partners are assigned.

The Basic Rules of NLPadel

Rules seem complicated when you read them. In practice they’re intuitive. Here’s what matters.

How Points Work

Serving: You serve underhand (much easier than tennis).  Your serve can hit the side wall on your opponent’s side that’s legal.

Rallies: After the serve the ball can bounce once on the ground then hit walls and you can still play it. You can also hit the ball before it bounces (volley).

Scoring: Same as tennis (0, 15, 30, 40 game). Win six games to win a set. Usually play best of three sets.

When You Lose the Point

Simple version:

• Ball bounces twice on your side
• You hit it into the net
• Your shot goes out completely (doesn’t touch walls or land in bounds.

Understanding Courts and Booking

Not all courts are equal. This matters more than you’d think.

Indoor vs Outdoor

Indoor courts dominate in the Netherlands because of weather. They’re climate controlled well lit and available year round. Book these during autumn and winter. Outdoor courts are lovely on sunny days and cost less but one rain shower ruins your plans. I only book outdoor courts between May and August when the weather is reliable.

Glass Walls vs Mesh

Glass wall courts play faster because the ball rebounds more consistently. Mesh courts are slightly slower and more forgiving for beginners. If you’re just starting mesh courts are actually better for learning. Glass courts are impressive but not necessary for recreational play.

Booking Strategy (Content Gap Filled)

Most clubs use apps or websites for booking.Tips who  learned the hard way:

• Weekend slots fill up fast book 3 to 4 days ahead
• Tuesday and Thursday evenings (6 to 9 PM) are popular try weekday afternoons instead
• Early morning slots (7 to 9 AM) are almost always available

Many clubs offer ‘last minute’ discounts for same day bookings check 2 to 3 hours before you want to play

Real Cost Breakdown

Money worries stop people from trying. Here’s the honest budget you need.

Compare that to a gym membership (€40 to 70/month) where you might not even go. This is cheaper and way more fun.

Why You’ll Keep Playing

Everyone says they’ll try something new. Most quit after two sessions. Why does this sport stick?

Instant Progress Feels Good

You’ll notice improvement every single session for your first three months. Session one: you’re chasing everything. Session five you are placing shots deliberately. Session ten: you’re strategizing with your partner. That visible progress is addictive.

The Social Part Actually Matters

Solo workouts are lonely. Team sports require huge time commitments. Padel is the perfect middle ground. You show up play for an hour with three other people chat afterward and go home. The friendships happen naturally because you’re doing something together not forcing small talk at a networking event.

NLPadel Fits Into Real Life

An hour is enough time to get a solid workout and feel accomplished. You can play before work during lunch breaks or after dinner. Courts are lit for evening play. Weekend morning sessions are popular for families. The flexibility means you can actually maintain consistency instead of quitting like you did with that gym membership.

Position Matters More Than Power

Beginners try to hit hard. Good players just stand in the right spot. Stay in the middle of your half during rallies. Move forward together with your partner. Move back together. This ‘moving as a unit’ beats power shots every time.

Communication Prevents Chaos

Yell ‘mine’ if you’re taking the shot. Yell ‘yours’ if your partner should take it. Yell ‘switch’ when you need to swap sides. This feels weird at first but prevents you from both going for the same ball (or both avoiding it).

Your Grip Should Feel Relaxed

Hold the racket like you’re holding a hammer firm but not strangling it. If your forearm gets tired quickly you’re gripping too hard. Relax your hand between points. 

Shake out tension. Loose grip = better control.

Mistakes That Slow Your Progress: Beginners cluster together like penguins. Stay spread out. One person covers the left side one covers the right. You should be 3 to 4 meters apart. This covers more court and prevents collisions.

Watching Where You Want to Hit Instead of the Ball: Your brain wants to look at the target. Fight this urge. Watch the ball until your racket makes contact. Then look up. This one change improved my accuracy by about 30%.

Playing Every Ball Like It’s the Final Point: Relax. Not every shot needs to be perfect. Some points just keep the ball in play and wait for your opponent to make a mistake. Trying to win every point with a spectacular shot leads to unforced errors.

What the Community is Really Like

Every sport claims to be welcoming. Here’s what actually happens in Dutch padel clubs.

Age Doesn’t Matter Here

I’ve played matches with a 19 year old student a 4 year old accountant and a 68 year old retiree. Nobody cared about age gaps. Skill level matters more and clubs group people by ability not birth year. My regular partner is 22 years older than me we just happen to play at the same level.

Women Are Not an Afterthought

About 40% of players are women. Most clubs offer women only sessions if you prefer learning in that environment. Mixed doubles is standard gender doesn’t determine partners. I’ve seen more female only groups here than in any other sport I’ve tried.

Kids Actually Want to Play

Unlike tennis where kids get bored waiting to hit the ball padel keeps them engaged. The rallies are longer the scoring feels faster and they can see improvement quickly. Weekend youth programs are packed. Parents love it because their kids are exercising without complaining.

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FAQs

Conclusion

NLPadel is spreading across the Netherlands because it solves a problem. people want exercise that’s social fun and doesn’t require months of training before you can participate. This sport delivers on that promise.

Will your first session feel smooth? Probably not. You’ll miss shots. You’ll hit the net. Your arms will feel tired. But you’ll also laugh keep a few rallies going and leave thinking ‘I could get good at this.’ That feeling keeps people coming back.

The barrier to entry is low. Courts are available. Clubs are welcoming. Equipment is affordable. The only thing stopping you is booking that first session.

So find a club near you. Book a beginner session. Show up. Try it. You might discover your new regular Tuesday night activity. Or you might realize it’s not for you which is fine too. But you won’t know until you actually step onto a court and hit a few balls.

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