What Surface Is Best?

[ricki]

Grass is best, but no good for your club.

Hardcourts and clay are boring surfaces designed for spud players.

Artificial grass is very decent and doesnt cost more than hard court. You only bring a bit of sand from time to time.

Natural grass is impossible to maintain.

 

[Beacon Hill]

We're now leaning very heavily toward red clay (crushed brick). Does anyone have any thoughts, comments, experience or information about underground watering systems vs surface watering?

 

[mikeler]

We're now leaning very heavily toward red clay (crushed brick). Does anyone have any thoughts, comments, experience or information about underground watering systems vs surface watering?

We have underground irrigation of our har tru courts and it is a constant headache. The courts are always too wet or too dry. Many times, you can see streaks of wetness up and down the court. I'd rather have above ground where you can actually see how much water is going on the court. I know that means you have to stop playing on the courts, but seems like most clubs have some downtime in the middle of the day where this can be done.

 

[escii_35]

No one here will pay to play on hard courts because there are too many free ones here.

Truth. On vacation in FL I had a chat with one of the pros at a very new 4 clay/4 hard with lights public tennis center in a medicore neighborhood. The hard courts were $1pp and $3 at night and he said -many- folks griped about the those fees.

I would take a "Clipper" ride to play on some red clay.

 

[Beacon Hill]

We have underground irrigation of our har tru courts and it is a constant headache. The courts are always too wet or too dry. Many times, you can see streaks of wetness up and down the court. I'd rather have above ground where you can actually see how much water is going on the court. I know that means you have to stop playing on the courts, but seems like most clubs have some downtime in the middle of the day where this can be done.

Thanks for your comment. So far what I've heard has been evenly split between you should definitely have an underground system because it conserves water, reduced maintenance and the courts are always consistent, and don't get an underground system because they don't work well. Do you know what kind you have and how old it is?
Thanks again.

 

[Beacon Hill]

Truth. On vacation in FL I had a chat with one of the pros at a very new 4 clay/4 hard with lights public tennis center in a medicore neighborhood. The hard courts were $1pp and $3 at night and he said -many- folks griped about the those fees.

I would take a "Clipper" ride to play on some red clay.

Yep, it's hard to understand these people. I hope we'll see you in Victoria one day soon.

 

[jaggy]

Shouldnt Victoria be described as in the southwest?

 

[polski]

Shouldnt Victoria be described as in the southwest?

...of Canada?

 

[jc4.0]

Clay - especially if you want more adults. Clay is fine to play on in a light drizzle, where hard courts are quickly unplayable. Also it's easier on the joints, that's for sure.

but if you want to attract junior players, I suggest at least a couple of cushioned hard courts. Kids like the hard stuff!

 

[Rjtennis]

We're now leaning very heavily toward red clay (crushed brick). Does anyone have any thoughts, comments, experience or information about underground watering systems vs surface watering?

Red clay will be excellent for your tennis club. What a great sufrace to provide your members with! I live in an area where Hard Tru is the only clay court option and only get to play on red when im outside of the states. Hard Tru plays doesnt play all that similar to red clay, in fact it much more closely resembles a hard court.