Panhandle Basketball Courts

Went here, after biking by a thousand times on my way to work, to kick off the 8 month cobwebs and see if I could still shoot.
The answer is no.
The level of play is moderate, even for this gringo from VT. Your standard level of aggression gets the blood pumping. And as for my pump fake… I need to bring that back.
Courts are in decent shape, got 5 on 5 full court on a week day? So there you go.

If you shoot, and call «and 1», and it goes in, the shot counts. It’s the other team’s ball.
Clowns on this court tried to say you get it back, no shot.
Anyway, it’s pretty reliable for at least 3-​on-​3 most days, definitely 5s on weekends. Decent level of play. Minimal «thugball». Not great, but good for a run.
Also, the court is in a patch of eucalyptus trees between two very busy roads (Fell and Oak). Maybe they put the trees there to cover up the exhaust, but you can smell them both while you play.

Where I used to go to dominate at «Horse» back in the day. These courts have been through some changes — and while there are definitely nicer kept, less busy, and friendlier courts elsewhere — these courts are still a pretty reliable bet to watch and play some pick-​up basketball (I stick to Horse though :)) If you catch these courts at the right time — they’re also a sweet spot (though I wish they got more sun) to goof around with friends.
Oh and ladies — expect some cat-​calling if you happen to stroll on by — during a game’s down-​time.

I showed up to the Panhandle to play today, after scouring the courts around the Mission and Hayes Valley. I heard a lot of talk about Panhandle being «a sure bet» for pickup. My friend and I did get into a 3-​on-​3 game after a half hour of waiting. It wasn’t exactly filled to the brim with players, but was definitely doable. Folks were friendly enough for a city pickup game.

i can appreciate a place that has nets that arent ripped off. i can also appreciate a good fight. the same people fight about the same stuff. dont you dare smudge his nike.

the panhandle is a joke. I have gone there 5 times to play, during the weekend, when it is supposedly good. It is a marginal level of ball at best. Lot of one-​on-​one, unskilled douche bags that don’t know how to spell ‘pass’. If you have any game whatsoever, it is a total waste of time, unless you live really close, then you can play with with your own crew or something. The only reaason i give this one star is that I don’t know how to post a big fat ZERO

ah, don’t listen to Scotty… I’ve lived in the neighborhood/​played in the Panhandle for the past 5+ years and although weekdays are occasionally on the weak side, the weekends are where PH legends are born. the learning curve’s pretty steep, and if you get rattled by trash talk and show any signs of weakness, you’ll never survive out there… real talk! the Panhandle’s really one big happy dysfunctional family, and you’ll find a nice cross section of SF out there most days. I’d much rather play out there over the Marina any day… waaay too many aggro frat-​boys for my liking. tell ‘em New York sent ya. ;)