Badminton is an enjoyable sport for both amateur and professional players. But can badminton be played outdoors? Let’s find out.

There are several factors that need to be considered while playing badminton. For instance, the visibility of the shuttle, weather conditions, and the type of ground you play on. Playing badminton outside can be difficult since you cannot control most of these factors.

Badminton is always played inside or on closed courts at a competitive level. Yes, this game may be played in parks, beaches, and other outside locations if you’re playing with friends and family members. However, it is always best to play this sport indoors.

There are several issues that can prevent players from playing badminton outside. Although badminton can be played outside, it is a competitive sport and most players would prefer to play in a neutral environment where there are no obstacles or uncontrollable factors that can affect the outcome of the match.

After doing our research and speaking with various badminton players, we have put together this guide to help you understand whether badminton can be played outside or not.

Can Badminton Be Played Outside?

Badminton is a sport that everyone enjoys, and you may play it with your friends and family at any outdoor place. Since the shuttlecock is light, the air impacts its movement, making it impossible to make a good shot. As a result, all competitive badminton competitions are held on indoor courts.

Why Should Badminton Be Played Inside?

There are various reasons for playing badminton indoors. Some of the most common reasons are as follows:

Wind and Rain

The shuttlecock, also known as the birdie, is the main issue when playing badminton outside. It's a feathered object with a cork foundation that's lightweight. The shuttle is only 5 grams in weight. If you play the game outdoors of your house or on a court, the birdie will be readily disrupted by the wind. You won't be able to control your shots, and you'll eventually lose a point.

When you hit the shuttlecock with the racket, it goes in a single direction. The direction of travel is influenced by the air. However, if you play this game on a rainy day, the shuttlecock's feathers will become soaked, making it heavier. Thus, it will alter the shuttlecock's aerodynamics.

Safety and Visibility

You might not be able to see the shuttlecock being passed towards you by another player if you are playing badminton on a sunny day. Plus, you will most likely miss the point due to a lack of visibility.

During rainy days, outdoor areas might get wet or moist, and you cannot play on such a surface for risk of slipping and falling. It causes extremely painful injuries that can take a long time to heal.

Indoor courts, on the other hand, are significantly safer. The courts are moped and cleaned on a regular basis to provide maximum safety while playing the game. There is no danger of falling, slipping, or getting hurt. The lights are positioned such that they do not shine directly into your eyes, allowing you to enjoy the game without difficulty.

Why is Badminton so difficult to play on windy days?

The shuttlecock is constructed of plastic or feathers, and it is extremely lightweight. When a player smashes it with a racket, it can move at extraordinary speeds. When playing badminton on a windy day, the shuttlecock's movement is amplified by the wind. It will move in a zigzag pattern and in a different direction. Playing this game in the presence of air becomes more difficult.

You won't be able to make a precise shot, and the shuttlecock will be affected by air movements. It's a good game for those who are just getting started with the game. They can have fun outside with their friends and family. Even in the presence of air, they can improve their playing techniques. Professional badminton players, on the other hand, should play indoors or on courts.

What Are the Best Practices for Playing Badminton Outside?

It's sometimes beneficial to play badminton outside because it brings you closer to nature. Some additional benefits include:

Full-Body Workout

When compared to playing badminton indoors, outdoor badminton games offer a wonderful workout. You can enjoy this game even if you're playing against a brick wall. The shuttlecock will not be affected by the wind and will return to you in unexpected ways. This exercise improves wrist strength and reaction time.

Practice Driving on a Level Surface

You can play badminton on a tennis court if you prefer. You and your partner can face each other on the broad singles lines on the same side of the net. The primary goal of this game is to hit and drive the shuttlecock while remaining on the line. You must strike it hard in order for it to reach your companion. Playing this game outside is the ideal alternative because the wind will be limited and the shuttlecock will not be very high.

Badminton is a popular sport

Badminton is a sport that may be played both indoors and outdoors. It could be a park, a terrace, or a beach, for example. Badminton in the open air is a fun activity to enjoy with your friends and family. You can socialize in your circle and participate in a variety of badminton tournaments on a small scale.

Professional badminton is an indoor sport played on a court by players. Since there is no wind, there is no air effect on the shuttlecock. Only a small percentage of the population pursues a career in badminton and becomes a professional player. They know everything there is to know about the game, including the rules, equipment, and techniques.

It keeps you fit and healthy because it is an outside sport. While playing badminton, you may take in the scenery, the vegetation, and the fresh air. The game helps you maintain your health by improving your respiration, joints, and metabolism.

While playing outside, you can meet new people and play with them. The shuttlecock and the racket are both lightweight and portable. It is one of the most enjoyable and simple games to learn and play outside.

Is it possible to play badminton on grass?

Although recreational badminton can be played on grass, competitive badminton cannot for a variety of reasons. The main reason is that competitive badminton matches can get aggressive and playing on grass can be extremely dangerous.

Since grass is slick and professional badminton necessitates a lot of lateral and direction adjustments, as well as hops and lunges, it can be dangerous to play on grass. All of these movements are incompatible with grass, and player performance suffers as a result.

The greatest badminton flooring, in fact, makes it simple to grip the floor and shift directions fast and effectively. When you're on grass, your body needs to work harder to apply your movements, which makes you more likely to slip or strain a muscle in the wrong direction. However, if you're just playing for fun and aren't planning on moving around much, it's not too bad.

Is it possible to play badminton on the sand?

You can also have fun playing badminton on the sand, but it may be too difficult for you. It has some of the same difficulties and risks as playing on grass. Since sand has an uneven surface, it's easy to sink and lose momentum. As a result, hitting the shuttlecock with the correct motions is quite tough. Badminton is designed to be played on hard surfaces, while sand is anything but constant.

Another issue is that beaches are frequently quite windy, which can have a significant impact on gameplay or even make it impossible. Due to the changing weather, it's often impossible to play for long periods of time. Your shuttlecock might even land on the water in another scenario. The water will most likely damage the shuttle, and you will no longer be able to play.

A doubles or even triples match can solve this difficulty, but the weather is still an issue. As a result, competitive badminton is never played on sand or in the open air. It restricts the players' movement far too much. However, there are a variety of sand-friendly badminton alternatives.

The BWF began looking into a beach badminton option in the 2010s. However, they were unable to address the intrinsic flaws in badminton's architecture. Crossminton, often known as speedminton, is a fan-made variant that has since grown in popularity and become its own sport.

The BWF eventually undertook more research and development on a new game called Air Badminton after learning from their earlier discoveries. It's similar to badminton, except it was created to be played outside, including on sand. The shuttlecock is made to withstand the wind and can be played by up to three players on each team.

Why is competitive badminton not played outside?

Playing badminton outside is probably not the brightest idea, especially for competitive matches due to the unpredictability of weather. The shuttlecock's direction is easily influenced by the wind, and severe gusts render the game unfair. Badminton is an extremely precise and sensitive sport, thus even minor moves can have a significant impact on the game. Since the shuttlecock is so light, at roughly 5 grams (0.17 ounces), even a small amount of wind may easily move it.

Final Thoughts

Playing badminton casually outside with friends and family may be a lot of fun. It is not going to be classified as a professional sport. Playing outside allows you to connect with nature while also helping you to improve your wind-related techniques.

Many of us who began playing badminton received our first taste of the sport while playing outside. You grab your rackets and shuttlecock, and begin hitting away. During the summer, it's common to see children playing in home yards or at public parks. While playing badminton outside might be enjoyable, playing it indoors provides a more authentic experience.

Recreational badminton can be played outside, while badminton tournaments are typically played indoors. The wind is the most significant environmental aspect that renders badminton unfair when played outdoors, as even a slight gust of wind can severely alter a rally. Competitive badminton should be played indoors rather than outdoors for a variety of reasons, including the flooring and lighting.