Join the padel trend: Here's where to play in South Florida

First, let’s pronounce it right. It’s PA-dl.

Padel may soon be bypassing pickleball as the South Florida sport trend of the moment, with courts and clubs opening up all over Broward and Palm Beach counties.

The game originated in Mexico and spread through Latin America. In the U.S., Florida is the sport’s fastest-growing state, with 56 clubs and 268 courts, about 41% of the total, according to the latest estimates from the International Padel Federation.

Padel is a member of the tennis/squash/pickleball family and is played in an enclosed court with four people. Players serve underhand and can use walls for strategy, allowing for longer rallies. Like pickleball, it’s super-social and a great full-body workout.

To get started, a private lesson costs about $100. An hour session goes for