Last Updated: 2.16.26 | Time To Read: 13–18 minutes | Author: Mark Miller

If you’ve played pickleball around the Coachella Valley for any length of time, you already know the challenge: finding consistent drop-in games that are organized, fair, and actually fun—without the chaos that sometimes comes with public park play. That’s why, in my experience, The Courts at PDR (Palm Desert Resort) is the single most reliable place to find drop-in pickleball in the entire valley. And once you become a member, it gets even better. Below is a clear breakdown of how membership works, what it costs, how drop-in play is structured, and what you should expect socially and competitively once you step into the ecosystem.

There are plenty of courts in the desert. What’s rare is a system. At The Courts at PDR, you’re not walking into a free-for-all. You’re walking into a community that has been building for years—with daily play, consistent leadership, and a structure that keeps games moving.

Here’s what makes it different:

• Skill-based court separation: Courts are organized by level—starting at true beginner levels and moving up through advanced (all the way to around 4.5 play).

• Games year-round: Twelve months a year, seven days a week, you can usually find games—especially in the mornings.

• A real community: Many members have been coming consistently for five years (or more). It’s a long-running crew, and it has a “home base” feel once you settle in.

• The resort filter: A gated community + a membership structure tends to reduce the “strange encounters” that can happen at parks. Rules are followed. There’s an office. There’s oversight. There’s a system.

And a big part of that system comes from the fact that there is a boss.

Charis McFarlane has been running The Courts since it started, and the operation is polished. Not much changes because it doesn’t need to—she’s done a great job preserving what makes this place special.

• Location: 77333 Country Club Dr., Palm Desert, CA 92211

• Courts: 32 pickleball courts, 5 tennis courts, plus 1 stadium court

• Court Hours: Monday–Friday 7am–8pm | Saturday & Sunday 7am–Sundown

• Office Hours (season): 7:30am–4pm

• Court washing: Every Sunday

• Contact: thecourtsatpdr@gmail.com | thecourtsatpdr.com | (760) 835-6160

Tip: If you’re reaching out as an “outside inquiry,” they request you include your rating level (DUPR if available), your length of stay, and where you’re staying (PDR or elsewhere).

This surprises a lot of people:

Even if you own in Palm Desert Resort—or you’re staying there as a renter—club access is not automatically included.
Membership is purchased separately. (And during the busiest parts of the season, drop-ins are tightly controlled.)

The club breaks the year into two main seasons:

• High Season: October 1 – April 30

• Off Season: May 1 – September 30

You’ll feel the difference immediately. High season is packed with visiting players and part-time residents. Off season is hotter and quieter—but games still happen.

General Membership Pricing

• Single: $450 card / $400 cash

• Couple: $750 card / $700 cash

• Includes: Two guest passes per person, per month (pickleball)

PDR Homeowner Pricing

• Single: $400 card / $350 cash

• Couple: $700 card / $650 cash

• Includes: Two guest passes per person, per month (pickleball)

If you’re a local and you play regularly, this is where the value is. Compared to many pickleball clubs across California, the annual cost is extremely low for what you get—especially because you can show up and play mornings, then still use the courts later when availability allows.

Option 2: Yearly Tennis Membership (October 1 – September 30)

General Membership Pricing

• Single: $375 card / $350 cash

• Couple: $600 card / $575 cash

• Guest structure: Unlimited guest passes for $10 each

PDR Homeowner Pricing

• Single: $335 card / $310 cash

• Couple: $560 card / $535 cash

• Guest structure: Unlimited guest passes for $10 each

Tennis tip: Court availability is tighter, so the club recommends making reservations through Court Reserve to guarantee a court.

Option 3: Dual Membership (Pickleball + Tennis)

If you want both sports, there’s a simple add-on:

• Pickleball & Tennis Dual Membership: Pickleball price + $75

These are great if you’re visiting for a short stay or testing the waters before committing to a full year.

Important: Weekly and Monthly memberships do not include guest passes.

Monthly (Pickleball & Tennis)

• High Season: $225

• Off Season: $100

• Guest passes: None

Weekly (Pickleball & Tennis)

• High Season: $100

• Off Season: $50

• Guest passes: None

Special Note: “March Madness”

March is the busiest month for pickleball and tennis.

During March, the club lists special pricing and stricter access:

• Weekly Membership (Pickleball & Tennis): $150

• Monthly Membership (Pickleball & Tennis): $250

• Must be purchased by January 1, 2026

• No refunds

• March access notes: PDR Members, PDR Homeowners, and PDR Renters only. No outsiders (with a limited tournament exception on designated days).

Drop-in rules depend heavily on:

• Whether you’re a member

• Whether you’re a homeowner

• Whether you’re a renter inside PDR

• Whether it’s prime time / high season

Pickleball Prime Time

• Prime time: 7:30am–2pm

• Open Play: 7:30am–11am

Tennis Prime Time

• Prime time: 7:30am–12pm

Homeowner Drop-In (If You’re a PDR Homeowner, Not a Club Member)

• Pickleball: $10 drop-in (based on court availability)

• Tennis: $10 drop-in (based on court availability)

• Applies only to homeowners and household members—not their guests

Non-Member Drop-In (High Season)

During high season (listed as October–May in the drop-in policy):

• No outside drop-ins available

• The only non-members who can drop in are PDR renters (VRBO/Airbnb) with restrictions:

  • Pickleball drop-in: after 2pm

  • Tennis drop-in: after 12pm

  • Drop-ins are based on court availability

  • Guests must go to the office, sign a liability waiver, and pay the $10 per person drop-in fee before going on court

March Pickleball Drop-In Note

In March, pickleball drop-in is listed as:

• No drop-ins during prime time (7:30am–2pm)

• After 2pm only

• $15 per person

The guest policy is one of the reasons the place stays orderly.

A few key points:

• Guests must go to the office, sign the liability waiver, and pay required fees before going on court.

• A PDR member must accompany guests to sign in (especially during prime time/open play).

• For pickleball prime time, two guest passes per month are available only to yearly members.

• Guests are limited to two consecutive prime-time visits. On the third, they’re expected to purchase a weekly, monthly, or yearly membership.

• After 2pm, guest rules loosen:

  • Yearly & Monthly members: unlimited guests (no guest passes needed)

  • Weekly members: guests allowed after 2pm with a $10 per person drop-in fee

There’s even a front gate procedure listed for yearly members if a guest is arriving in their own vehicle:

• Phone: (760) 345-0054

• Email: frontgate@theresorter.com
  (24 hours in advance, with the guest’s name.)

This part matters, because The Courts at PDR isn’t just “courts”—it’s an established culture.

1) You’ll Feel the Community Right Away

There’s a long-running group here. That’s a good thing—once you’re in.

But it can feel a little closed off at first because people know each other, and the system has momentum.

2) Expect to “Earn Your Stripes”

One thing I tell people up front:

You may need to start in a lower-level pod—even if you’re better than many players in the pod above you.

Why? Because higher pods can include long-time members who have built friendships and rhythm in that level over years. During slower times, those relationships can influence who stays where.

That’s not unique to PDR—that’s community.

If you keep showing up, playing consistently, and proving your level with wins over time, you’ll climb.

3) The Morning Drop-In Routine Is the Magic

If you’re a pickleball player, mornings are where the heartbeat lives.

The system is clean:

• You show up

• You get into your level

• You rotate

• You play real games

It’s reliable. And consistency is rare.

4) The Amenities Make a Difference

Some underrated perks:

• Clean restrooms

• Cold water filling stations

• On-site restaurant

• A setting that feels more like a club than a park

It doesn’t eliminate every awkward moment (nothing does), but the environment tends to be far more controlled and respectful than many public-court scenes.

Winter + Spring: Peak Social Energy

High season is when the desert wakes up.

You’ll meet:

• Seasonal residents (snowbirds)

• Travelers passing through

• Strong players coming in for events

• People who are here for weeks, then gone

It keeps things fresh. It keeps the community from feeling stale. And it adds a fun “mix” to your weekly play.

Summer: Slower—but Still Alive

Peak summer in the desert is real. It’s hot. It’s quieter. But here’s what’s impressive: you can still find games every day of the week, especially mornings. In summer, it’s the core group—the full-time local members—who keep the engine running. If you’re consistent, you’ll still get your reps.

A few basics the club highlights:

• Proper attire required (closed-toed/athletic shoes, athletic wear)

• Shirts must stay on

• No skateboarding/roller blading/biking on courts

• Dog-friendly, but:

  • No dogs on courts

  • No dogs on tables

  • Dogs must be leashed and tied securely

This is part of why the club stays clean and functional: rules are actually enforced.

If you want to join (or you’re planning a visit), contact the club directly:

• Email: thecourtsatpdr@gmail.com

• Website: thecourtsatpdr.com

• Phone: (760) 835-6160

If you’re reaching out from outside the community, include:

• Your DUPR (if available)

• How long you’ll be in town

• Where you’re staying (PDR or elsewhere)

If your goal is simple—play good pickleball consistently—The Courts at PDR is hard to beat.

The structure is real. The community is real. And once you find your place in the pods, you’ll understand why so many people keep coming back year after year.

If I’m playing morning drop-in in the Coachella Valley, you can just about guarantee this is where you’ll find me.