Mountbatten Neighbourhood in Singapore Tries Out ‘Silent Pickleball’ as Potential Solution to Noise Issue – Pickleball News Asia
The issue of pickleball being unbearably noisy for some residents in Singapore is well documented by
In fact, it has prompted authorities to implement various measures to appease both complainants and the growing pickleball community in the Lion City. Having said that, it appears the latter is almost always getting the shorter end of the stick, so to speak, as most measures are designed to limit play.
That is probably why some pickleball players in Mountbatten have begun experimenting with silent pickleball. Mountbatten is a residential neighbourhood in the Marine Parade area of Singapore known for its mix of private homes, public housing, and the Mountbatten MRT station.
The experiment took place on Sunday at the Mountbatten Community Club, where some 120 residents and players gathered to try out foam balls, which are said to reduce noise levels to around 60 decibels—or the volume of most normal conversations. That is significantly quieter than the usual “pop” of a standard pickleball, which can reach upwards of 70 decibels.
MP for Mountbatten Gho Sze Kee attended the event and said foam balls could be a solution to the noise problem often associated with playing pickleball. She also emphasised that complainants are not necessarily against playing pickleball but are simply bothered by the noise.
“The general consensus is that there is no issue with playing pickleball at the neighbourhood courts, but the issue is the very sharp ‘pop’ sound that’s being generated,” Gho told The Straits Times. “Understandably, some residents may feel uncomfortable that their daily routines are disrupted by the noise.”
Gho added that pickleball is “a great sport for all ages” and that playing it should be encouraged—with the reminder to be “mindful of the noise that’s being generated.”
“If we can minimise it [pickleball noise], that’ll be a great win-win situation,” Gho further said.
What’s more, Gho said that Mountbatten will soon be hosting a silent pickleball tournament with the objective of promoting the use of foam balls.
“What I’m very much hopeful for is a collaborative, give-and-take approach, and a kampung spirit that can be inculcated in society,” Gho concluded.
