Lux Home Trend: Sport Court Design

Season Five, Episode One | Transcript

Season Five of The Art of Custom tips off with a conversation that’s all about playtime with purpose as we welcome Dale and Scott Hendrickson of TD Sports West to explore the growing trend of custom residential sport courts.

From family recreation to celebrity homes, the Hendricksons share how homeowners across the country are transforming backyards and basements into multi-sport arenas.

Playing at Home: The Rise of Backyard Courts

The pandemic reshaped how people live and entertain, and homeowners began investing in amenities that make their homes more fun and functional. The Hibbs Homes team has seen everything from golf simulators to indoor pickleball courts, and TD Sports West confirms the trend is only accelerating.

Multi-sport combo courts that combine pickleball and basketball are especially popular. These versatile spaces fit comfortably into typical backyards and offer all-season use with minimal maintenance.

From Passion to Profession

Dale Hendrickson, a former athlete and construction engineer, turned his love of sports into a career when he founded TD Sports West in 1987. What started as a small Utah-based distributorship for the Sport Court brand has grown into one of the nation’s premier providers of residential and commercial courts. The company now builds for homeowners, schools, and entertainment clients.

Pickleball Mania

No sport has exploded faster than pickleball. Dale traces its origins to Bainbridge Island, Washington, in the 1960s and notes that participation has grown more than tenfold in the past decade. With more than five million players nationwide and an annual growth rate exceeding 20%, pickleball has become a must-have feature for luxury homes and community developments alike.

TD Sports West has even helped author the national pickleball construction manual, ensuring consistent standards for court layout, surface, and safety.

Courts Fit for the Stars

From movie sets to mansion backyards, the Hendricksons have worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment and sports. Their client list includes Tom Cruise, Sylvester Stallone, Justin Timberlake, Ben Affleck, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal, along with major productions like Space Jam 2, Escape from L.A., and Dodgeball.

Even with their celebrity portfolio, they emphasize that the same attention to quality and detail goes into every homeowner’s project.

Indoor Courts & Smart Design

For homeowners building new custom homes, indoor courts are increasingly popular, especially in colder climates like Utah. The key, says Scott Hendrickson, is planning early. Ceiling height, footprint, and structure all must be designed to match the intended sport.

Most indoor courts are located beneath garages or within walk-out basements, maximizing otherwise unused space. Builders and architects should coordinate with sport-court specialists early to ensure the right clearances and configurations.

Surfaces That Perform

Modern sport-court surfaces offer more than aesthetics—they protect players and improve performance. TD Sports West uses modular cushioned tiles engineered to absorb impact, reduce injuries, and resist UV damage.

These systems:

• Provide full ball response and vertical shock absorption.
• Last 30+ years with minimal maintenance.
• Work in all climates, shedding snow and rain easily.
• Are safer for kids and adults than plain concrete.

It’s the same surface used for professional and collegiate facilities around the world.

Cost, Durability & Year-Round Use

Pricing varies based on size, site work, and features, but most outdoor courts range from $30,000 to $80,000, depending on options like fencing, lighting, and logos. Indoor installations typically start around $10,000 to $25,000.

Unlike swimming pools that require seasonal upkeep, sport courts deliver year-round fun and far less maintenance. That’s why more homeowners are choosing to invest in these spaces instead of pools.

Trending Sports Beyond Pickleball

While pickleball and basketball dominate, other sports are catching on:

• Volleyball and lacrosse for younger athletes.
• Putting greens and batting cages for families.
• Futsal (mini-soccer)
• Padel—a fast-growing racquet sport popular in Europe—are gaining traction in the U.S.

And for the Harry Potter fans among us? Yes, even Quidditch clubs have made it into the official U.S. sports construction manual!

Building Smarter, Playing Harder

Whether it’s a backyard basketball court or an indoor pickleball gym, success starts with communication between homeowner, builder, architect, and sport-court expert from day one.