RollTrackTake
Professional
I travel a lot for work. About 40 weeks a year I'm on the road for 3-4 days a week. About 2 years ago I decided to try and play while on the road. I'm hoping this thread will serve as a list of places to play around the country that welcome the weary traveller. Please add places you play at locally or have played on the road. I for one could use that knowledge to get some court time in.
for the most part you can google all these places and most have web sites with more info.
these are in no particular order. I guess I'll give ratings via ***. 5 being best
Seattle - The Boeing Employees Tennis Center (private/open to public)- *****
located in Kent, Washington about 15 minutes south of Sea Tac airport this place is one of, if not my favorite place to play anywhere. Despite it being primarily for employees of Boeing this place is open to the average joe.
They have 9 indoor hard courts. Court fees are somewhat reasonable at $22/hr for non-members. They have several, 3-4, high end playmate ball machines. The staff is friendly, they have a fairly new & wide selection of loaner/demo racquets at the front desk/pro shop if you don't travel your own. I have not been able to try any group clinics/lessons here yet but they are open to drop ins based on availability and have a wide range of classes. The courts are in excellent condition, the lighting is great. I wish I could play here regularly. I have not attempted to play anywhere else in the greater Seattle area as this place has been awesome to me.
Dallas - The Four Seasons Las Colinas (private/open to guests)- ****
Located about 15-20 minutes from DFW the Four Seasons Las Colinas has an impressive tennis facility. It used to host a pro level event (Dallas Open??) so the courts are top notch. I was a guest at the hotel so I'm not sure what the cost or availability is for non-guests. During my stay the weather was bad so I had to play on one of their four indoor hard courts. They also have 8 hard outdoor courts. The cost even as a guest for the indoor courts was somewhat steep IMO at $50/hr. They had a ball machine I used for an additional cost. They have a multitude of clinics and group lessons including early bird 6a groups but I did not sign up in enough time to get a spot. They have a odd smattering of demo racquets for use thrown into a back closet. They advertise having a Pro shop but I don't recall seeing one. They actually had a Donnay Pro One 97 which was surprising. Pickings can be slim though when it comes to late model sticks. The hotel fitness staff is friendly and helpful. All in all a great place to play some tennis.
Dallas - L.B. Houston Tennis center (public)- ***
When not staying at the 4 Seasons Las Colinas (most trips unfortunately) I found a place again close to DFW (10-15 minutes). The L.B. Houston Tennis center is a public facility. They have 16 lighted hard outdoor courts. They have a pro shop inside the building with recent demos to loan. They offer stringing as well. Last I checked they have one ball machine that is really old but decent. The courts are in above par shape. The staff, usually one guy during off hours, is not unfriendly. Court fees are about $3.00/hr. I have not been able to try any group clinics/lessons here yet. This is a pretty standard public facility. Nothing over the top great, but better than nothing.
Fort Worth, TX - McLeland Tennis Center - (public)- ****
This place is a hidden gem to me. Its 15 from downtown Ft. Worth and the Stockyards. The rub here is that it is in a non-touristy/working class area. Some may use other non-flattering terms.... They have 2 hard indoor courts and around 10 or so outdoor hard courts. The indoor courts are in great condition. Condition of the outdoor courts vary with the ones closest to the building in great condition while the outer courts are maybe a tick above average. Court fees are cheap for the outdoor courts at $2.50/player. the indoor courts are $24/1.5 hours. I've been to two group classes there and they both consisted of playing king of the court where the instructor feeds approach/volley/overheads to one side of the court for the entire hour/ 1.5hrs. Despite the lack of variety in drills I had fun and got a really good sweat going. They have a pro shop with stringing available given the right staff member is on duty to string. Demo racquets are a mixed bag of oldies but goodies and maybe a semi-new one in the mix. They have an 2 old ball machines lying around which I've used and it works ok nothing fancy with random oscillating modes. They also have a wall which you can hit on for FREE. When I visit during off hours I sometimes can get a teaching pro to hit with outside for $17/hr which is great for me.
Salt Lake City - Liberty Tennis Center - (Public)- *****
Located in Liberty Park close to downtown Salt Lake, the Liberty Tennis Center/Coach Mike's Tennis academy is great. The setting in Liberty park is fantastic. Running trail, aviary, fountains, etc... There are 16 hard outdoor lighted courts in great condition. There are 4 indoor hard courts under a bubble which I have not seen. Outdoor courts rent for $7/hr with and additional $10 for the trusty old playmate ball machine. Indoor courts go for $22/hr. I took a group class which was fast paced king of the court for 1.5hrs. Again, ideally when I go to a group lesson/clinic/cardio tennis I like to see more variety but I got to hit a lot of balls and had a good workout so I'm not complaining. There is a fully equipped pro shop with some recent offerings for demo frames to borrow. The staff is super friendly and helpful. Great experience playing there and would love to play there again.
Morgantown, WV - Westview Tennis Center - (private/open to public) -****
This is the place I'd imagine JD Salinger would play tennis. It's a small, 2 indoor courts in what looks like may have been a renovated house or barn or old high school gym field house. I'd call it rustic. There's nothing fancy about this place but I still have a great time playing there. The 2 indoor hard courts are in good but could be called fair to someone with more picky tastes. The building itself is beat up and looks a bit dilapidated but I'd play tennis just about anywhere so I don't care. Court fees are reasonable in my book at $15/hour. The staff (usually one or two college aged guys and or a gal) is really friendly and helpful. On several occasions when they've got nothing else to do they've come out and hit with me. two of them have played in college so its great to be able to hit with a high level player when your a rec hack like me. They have a ball machine, which is an old lobster machine with the long tube that spits outs balls. It may be older than I am. One great feature is that you can call ahead of your visit and ask them to arrange a match for you and they will try their hardest to find someone for you. I've witnessed a lesson their but have yet to take part in a formal class/lesson.
Norman, OK - Westwood Tennis Center - (public)- *****
12 outdoor hard courts in great condition. Nice clean facility close to the OU campus. Staff is cool and laid-back. Not trying to oversell you on anything. Court fees are about $10/hr iirc. They have a pro shop with demos to borrow and stringing service. I got a private lesson with a pro their for $35 for an hour. Very cool dude, had a great time. They offer classes but I have not taken participated yet. They have a pretty good ball machine, the standard playmate with directional settings et al. There are no indoor courts so if there's rain or if the winds are whipping off the plains be prepared to brave the elements or not play at all. Literally, right next door is a public golf course where you can hit the driving range, tee off for 18 holes or sit in the clubhouse and grab a bite to eat.
Daytona Beach, FL - Florida Tennis Center - (public) -*****
This place is massive to me. 24 clay hydro courts. 20 of them lighted. I've played here a number of times and I enjoy playing on the clay as a change of pace for me. the staff is fantastic. They've arranged matches for me. I've hit with one of their "semi" pro (not a certified teaching pro) employees. I've had their full service pro shop string a racquet for me. This place is top notch across the board. Of course with no indoor options and the fact I'm usually their during a rainy season can be a damper on my parade. There is a membership structure where members get priority in classes and reservations but I've never had much trouble finding some open court time. court fee for nonmembers is $10/person. the pro shop has the latest gear for sale and demo. Its a little off the beaten path (20 minutes from the beach area) out by the LPGA course/headquarters but well worth the trip.
for the most part you can google all these places and most have web sites with more info.
these are in no particular order. I guess I'll give ratings via ***. 5 being best
Seattle - The Boeing Employees Tennis Center (private/open to public)- *****
located in Kent, Washington about 15 minutes south of Sea Tac airport this place is one of, if not my favorite place to play anywhere. Despite it being primarily for employees of Boeing this place is open to the average joe.
They have 9 indoor hard courts. Court fees are somewhat reasonable at $22/hr for non-members. They have several, 3-4, high end playmate ball machines. The staff is friendly, they have a fairly new & wide selection of loaner/demo racquets at the front desk/pro shop if you don't travel your own. I have not been able to try any group clinics/lessons here yet but they are open to drop ins based on availability and have a wide range of classes. The courts are in excellent condition, the lighting is great. I wish I could play here regularly. I have not attempted to play anywhere else in the greater Seattle area as this place has been awesome to me.
Dallas - The Four Seasons Las Colinas (private/open to guests)- ****
Located about 15-20 minutes from DFW the Four Seasons Las Colinas has an impressive tennis facility. It used to host a pro level event (Dallas Open??) so the courts are top notch. I was a guest at the hotel so I'm not sure what the cost or availability is for non-guests. During my stay the weather was bad so I had to play on one of their four indoor hard courts. They also have 8 hard outdoor courts. The cost even as a guest for the indoor courts was somewhat steep IMO at $50/hr. They had a ball machine I used for an additional cost. They have a multitude of clinics and group lessons including early bird 6a groups but I did not sign up in enough time to get a spot. They have a odd smattering of demo racquets for use thrown into a back closet. They advertise having a Pro shop but I don't recall seeing one. They actually had a Donnay Pro One 97 which was surprising. Pickings can be slim though when it comes to late model sticks. The hotel fitness staff is friendly and helpful. All in all a great place to play some tennis.
Dallas - L.B. Houston Tennis center (public)- ***
When not staying at the 4 Seasons Las Colinas (most trips unfortunately) I found a place again close to DFW (10-15 minutes). The L.B. Houston Tennis center is a public facility. They have 16 lighted hard outdoor courts. They have a pro shop inside the building with recent demos to loan. They offer stringing as well. Last I checked they have one ball machine that is really old but decent. The courts are in above par shape. The staff, usually one guy during off hours, is not unfriendly. Court fees are about $3.00/hr. I have not been able to try any group clinics/lessons here yet. This is a pretty standard public facility. Nothing over the top great, but better than nothing.
Fort Worth, TX - McLeland Tennis Center - (public)- ****
This place is a hidden gem to me. Its 15 from downtown Ft. Worth and the Stockyards. The rub here is that it is in a non-touristy/working class area. Some may use other non-flattering terms.... They have 2 hard indoor courts and around 10 or so outdoor hard courts. The indoor courts are in great condition. Condition of the outdoor courts vary with the ones closest to the building in great condition while the outer courts are maybe a tick above average. Court fees are cheap for the outdoor courts at $2.50/player. the indoor courts are $24/1.5 hours. I've been to two group classes there and they both consisted of playing king of the court where the instructor feeds approach/volley/overheads to one side of the court for the entire hour/ 1.5hrs. Despite the lack of variety in drills I had fun and got a really good sweat going. They have a pro shop with stringing available given the right staff member is on duty to string. Demo racquets are a mixed bag of oldies but goodies and maybe a semi-new one in the mix. They have an 2 old ball machines lying around which I've used and it works ok nothing fancy with random oscillating modes. They also have a wall which you can hit on for FREE. When I visit during off hours I sometimes can get a teaching pro to hit with outside for $17/hr which is great for me.
Salt Lake City - Liberty Tennis Center - (Public)- *****
Located in Liberty Park close to downtown Salt Lake, the Liberty Tennis Center/Coach Mike's Tennis academy is great. The setting in Liberty park is fantastic. Running trail, aviary, fountains, etc... There are 16 hard outdoor lighted courts in great condition. There are 4 indoor hard courts under a bubble which I have not seen. Outdoor courts rent for $7/hr with and additional $10 for the trusty old playmate ball machine. Indoor courts go for $22/hr. I took a group class which was fast paced king of the court for 1.5hrs. Again, ideally when I go to a group lesson/clinic/cardio tennis I like to see more variety but I got to hit a lot of balls and had a good workout so I'm not complaining. There is a fully equipped pro shop with some recent offerings for demo frames to borrow. The staff is super friendly and helpful. Great experience playing there and would love to play there again.
Morgantown, WV - Westview Tennis Center - (private/open to public) -****
This is the place I'd imagine JD Salinger would play tennis. It's a small, 2 indoor courts in what looks like may have been a renovated house or barn or old high school gym field house. I'd call it rustic. There's nothing fancy about this place but I still have a great time playing there. The 2 indoor hard courts are in good but could be called fair to someone with more picky tastes. The building itself is beat up and looks a bit dilapidated but I'd play tennis just about anywhere so I don't care. Court fees are reasonable in my book at $15/hour. The staff (usually one or two college aged guys and or a gal) is really friendly and helpful. On several occasions when they've got nothing else to do they've come out and hit with me. two of them have played in college so its great to be able to hit with a high level player when your a rec hack like me. They have a ball machine, which is an old lobster machine with the long tube that spits outs balls. It may be older than I am. One great feature is that you can call ahead of your visit and ask them to arrange a match for you and they will try their hardest to find someone for you. I've witnessed a lesson their but have yet to take part in a formal class/lesson.
Norman, OK - Westwood Tennis Center - (public)- *****
12 outdoor hard courts in great condition. Nice clean facility close to the OU campus. Staff is cool and laid-back. Not trying to oversell you on anything. Court fees are about $10/hr iirc. They have a pro shop with demos to borrow and stringing service. I got a private lesson with a pro their for $35 for an hour. Very cool dude, had a great time. They offer classes but I have not taken participated yet. They have a pretty good ball machine, the standard playmate with directional settings et al. There are no indoor courts so if there's rain or if the winds are whipping off the plains be prepared to brave the elements or not play at all. Literally, right next door is a public golf course where you can hit the driving range, tee off for 18 holes or sit in the clubhouse and grab a bite to eat.
Daytona Beach, FL - Florida Tennis Center - (public) -*****
This place is massive to me. 24 clay hydro courts. 20 of them lighted. I've played here a number of times and I enjoy playing on the clay as a change of pace for me. the staff is fantastic. They've arranged matches for me. I've hit with one of their "semi" pro (not a certified teaching pro) employees. I've had their full service pro shop string a racquet for me. This place is top notch across the board. Of course with no indoor options and the fact I'm usually their during a rainy season can be a damper on my parade. There is a membership structure where members get priority in classes and reservations but I've never had much trouble finding some open court time. court fee for nonmembers is $10/person. the pro shop has the latest gear for sale and demo. Its a little off the beaten path (20 minutes from the beach area) out by the LPGA course/headquarters but well worth the trip.
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