Short answer: in Broward County, most private pickleball lessons run between $50 and $100 an hour. Where a coach lands in that range depends almost entirely on one thing: what they've actually done in the sport.
I'm Steve Kennedy. I teach at Bamford Park in Davie, and people text me this question every week, usually phrased as "what do you charge and why do prices vary so much?" So here's an honest breakdown of the local market, what you're really paying for, and how to make sure your money turns into a better game.
The going rates in Davie, Weston, and greater Broward
Here's what the local market looks like right now:
$50–$70 per hour: marketplace and part-time coaches
Book through one of the big coaching apps and you'll mostly find rates in this range. Many of these coaches are strong recreational players who picked up a quick certification. Some are genuinely good teachers. Others are one season ahead of their students. The apps also take a cut, so the person on court with you may be earning $40 of your $65.
There's nothing wrong with starting here if your budget is tight. Just know what you're buying: enthusiasm and reps, not necessarily a trained eye.
$70–$95 per hour: experienced local pros
This is the tier of coaches who teach for a living. Often they're former college tennis or racquetball players, usually certified, usually with a few years of dedicated pickleball teaching behind them. You'll find them at clubs, private communities, and public parks around Broward and Palm Beach. Most players who take lessons seriously end up in this range.
$85–$100+ per hour: elite-credentialed pros
At the top of the market are coaches who competed at the highest level of a racquet sport and then won at the highest level of pickleball. Former tour professionals. National champions. Coaches who have trained top-ranked players themselves. In South Florida this tier typically charges $85 to $100 an hour, and in Miami and Palm Beach it can go higher.
My rate is $100 an hour. I played on the ATP tour, competed in the main draw of the US Open, and won the Senior Pro division at the USA Pickleball National Championships. I've also spent time on court training the current world #1. That background matters for a specific reason: I've seen every stroke, every habit, and every fix thousands of times. You're not paying for the hour. You're paying for how much changes in the hour.
What actually drives the price of a lesson
When you're comparing rates, four things separate a $50 lesson from a $100 one:
Playing credentials
A coach who has won under pressure understands things a certification course can't teach: shot selection when you're nervous, how points actually develop, what breaks down first when the level goes up. Ask any coach you're considering: what have you won?
Teaching experience
Playing well and teaching well are different skills. A great coach can look at your third shot and know within two swings whether the problem is your grip, your contact point, or your feet. That diagnostic speed comes from decades of lessons, not from talent alone.
A plan you take home
Anyone can stand across the net and hit balls at you. A real lesson ends with you knowing exactly what to drill before the next one. If you leave a lesson sweaty but can't say what you fixed, you bought a workout, not coaching.
Format and location
Private lessons cost the most per person but move you fastest. Semi-private lessons (two players splitting an hour) usually drop the per-person price to $60–75. Small-group clinics with three or four players can get down to $40–60 per person while still giving everyone real attention. Big group classes are cheaper still, but "cheap per hour" and "cheap per improvement" are very different math.
Is a $100 lesson worth twice a $50 lesson?
Sometimes. Not always. It depends on the coach, not the price tag.
Here's the honest test: after one lesson with a great coach, you should be able to name the one or two things that were holding you back and demonstrate the fix. Players regularly tell me a single hour cleared up something they'd been fighting for a year. When that happens, the math takes care of itself. One precise lesson beats four vague ones.
If you're brand new and just want to learn the rules and get the ball over the net, a budget coach or a beginner clinic is a fine start. If you've been playing a while and you're serious about getting better, especially if you've plateaued, credentials pay for themselves fast.
How to vet a pickleball coach before you book
Five questions worth asking:
- What did you play, and at what level? Vague answers are an answer.
- What have you won in pickleball specifically? Tennis credentials help, but pickleball is its own sport.
- Who have you coached? Beginners only, or players at every level?
- What does a typical lesson look like? Listen for structure: assessment, drilling, a take-home plan.
- Can I text you a question between lessons? Coaches who care about your progress say yes.
What lessons cost with me
Simple and public:
- Private lesson: $100/hour at Bamford Park in Davie, or your court
- Semi-private (2 players): from $75/person/hour. Great for couples and doubles partners
- Small-group clinic (3–4 players): from $85/person for 60–90 minutes
No packages you have to buy upfront, no booking software, no membership. You text me, we find a time, we get to work.
Text Steve at (954) 461-9946 to set up your first lesson.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pickleball lessons cost in Davie, FL?
Private pickleball lessons in Davie and surrounding Broward County generally cost $50–100 per hour. Marketplace and part-time coaches charge $50–70, experienced full-time pros charge $70–95, and elite-credentialed coaches (former tour pros, national champions) charge $85–100+.
Are pickleball lessons worth the money?
For most players, yes. One hour with a qualified coach typically fixes problems that months of open play reinforce. The key is choosing a coach who diagnoses your game and gives you a specific drill plan you can practice on your own.
How many pickleball lessons do I need?
Beginners usually see a clear jump after 2–3 lessons. Intermediate players breaking through a plateau often work with a coach every week or two, drilling on their own in between. A good coach will tell you honestly how often you need to come.
Are group pickleball clinics cheaper than private lessons?
Yes. Small-group clinics of 2–4 players typically cost $40–85 per person per hour in South Florida, versus $50–100 for a private lesson. Groups larger than four get cheaper per person but the individual attention drops quickly.
How do I book a pickleball lesson in Davie?
Text Steve Kennedy at (954) 461-9946. Lessons are held at Bamford Park in Davie, weekday mornings plus select evenings, or at your own court.