Table of Contents

• Ashley’s Tech Blog

  • Player Experience Is Your Competitive Edge

• Baseline Vision Update: Serve Strike

• PlayByPoint Club Management

  • The Fort Loves the New Feature “Skill Reserved Cou …

• OnCourt OffCourt Launches Serve StandTennis Traini …

• From the Daily Playbook: CiCi Bellis News

Player Experience Is Your Competitive Edge

A great club isn’t defined by the size of its courts or the speed of its Wi-Fi. It’s built through moments — the coach who remembers a name, the camera that catches the perfect point, the check-in that feels effortless.

When clubs focus on those moments, the experience starts to speak for itself.

Today’s players expect more than convenience. They want personalization, flexibility, and a club that feels like it’s built for them. The good news? You don’t need a full renovation. You need manageable, smart upgrades that turn routine interactions into real loyalty.

Here’s how leading clubs are doing it.

1. Make Multi-Sport Play the Norm

Players don’t just pick one sport anymore — and your programming shouldn’t either.

43% of racquet sports participants now play more than one game. At Royal Oaks Country Club, 84% of members play both tennis and pickleball. That crossover drives retention and keeps programs fresh.

The takeaway? Offer clinics that span disciplines, host crossover events, and teach players how skills translate. Variety fuels engagement.

2. Rethink Amenities as Experience

Players are staying longer — not just to play, but to connect.

A quiet coffee spot, casual lounge, or even a self-serve drink station can turn your facility into a community hub.

Digital amenities matter too. Mobile apps, ratings integrations, and self-check-in tools give players control over their time and boost satisfaction.

You don’t need luxury to feel premium. You just need to show you’ve thought about what players want when they’re not on court.

3. Add Services That Feel Special

Add-ons like video match recording, sports recovery tools, or guest passes don’t just add revenue — they add delight.

They’re small surprises that make your club memorable.

Look for easy upgrades that blend play, convenience, and personalization. Even a $10 add-on can become a talking point that keeps players coming back.

4. Personalize Programming to Player Goals

Your players aren’t one-size-fits-all — and your programs shouldn’t be either.

Segment your audience. Look at booking patterns. Map personas like the early bird solo hitter or the busy parent. Then tailor clinics, times, and formats around real behavior.

One club increased retention by 27% just by doing this.

The future of programming is personal — and powered by player data.

5. Automate Communication That Feels Human

Want to boost attendance and satisfaction? Automate reminders, updates, and follow-ups — but make them feel like they’re from a person.

A quick “Clinic tomorrow at 6 PM – bring water!” is more impactful than a generic message.

With marketing automation tools for email or text, this becomes easy and scalable. Consistency builds trust — and trust builds community.

6. Use Access Control to Expand Freedom

Let your players access your club on their terms.

With smart locks, PIN codes, and mobile check-in, your facility can run beyond front desk hours — securely.

Players love flexibility. You’ll love increased utilization and reduced staffing strain.

7. Reward Engagement with Loyalty

You don’t have to discount to drive loyalty. You just have to recognize it.

Offer perks for attending, referring, or booking early. Gamify the experience. Show players you notice — and that their presence matters.

Loyalty builds culture. And culture keeps players coming back, even when their schedules get busy.

8. Ask, Learn, Adapt

Every improvement starts with a simple question:

“How was your experience today?”

Use quick surveys after events or bookings. Pay attention to patterns. Act on the feedback — and let players know you did.

That’s how you turn comments into connections.

Experience Is the Strategy

The best clubs don’t just operate efficiently. They make players feel something.

When every interaction — on or off the court — feels thoughtful and effortless, players stay longer, spend more, and tell their friends.

The future of racquet sports clubs isn’t just about competition. It’s about connection.

And the clubs that win that game are the ones designing every detail with the player in mind.

Want to see how the right club management platform helps you upgrade the experience without adding more effort?

👉 Learn more at CourtReserve.com

Lots of behind-the-scenes improvements to deliver an even better experience on court. But the upgrades you'll notice the most are our new Serve Strike game and forehand/backhand filter.

Want to sharpen your serve? Serve Strike is your new go-to practice mode.
More information.

Most of our readers are familiar with the new Fort Lauderdale Pickleball Club (“The Fort”) or have heard of it. The Club features 43 professional regulation courts and the world’s first dedicated pickleball stadium. You are also familiar with PlayByPoint from our article Playbypoint - Club Management for Racquet Sports from our August issue.

We get THE FORT newsletter, and the October 2 issue featured something quite interesting. They wrote:

To Our FORT Community,

As The FORT grows, so does the need for structure that keeps play fair, fun, and stress-free. Starting October 2nd, you’ll be able to make reservations using our new Skill-Reserved Court system, with play under this updated policy beginning October 6. This means proper ratings, clearer scheduling, and simple choices: reserve a Skill-Reserved Court, join Open Play, or book a Private Court.

Please open the attached PDF to learn more and get the full details. Then, log into Play By Point (FORT Club App) to check your rating within your profile. If the slider is locked, you’ve been Club Rated. If it’s adjustable, you’ll need to get rated before reserving a Skill-Reserved Court. Not to worry as we’ll work with everyone to get rated quickly, and remember, you can always join Open Play without a rating. Again, the PDF has all the information you need.

These changes apply to all skill levels. At The FORT, we love and value all of our players - from beginners finding their way to advanced players sharpening their game. This system is designed to make sure everyone gets the best matchups and the most enjoyable experience possible.

Change helps us keep improving and making The FORT the best it can be. Thank you for your dedication to the sport, the friendships, and the community that make this place special. With your support, we’ll make this next step a success and keep building the best experience for all.

Thank you!

-Your FORT Family

The attached PDF explains the entire process and has a rich FAQ section. Here is the link again.

The Fort staff is apparently happy with the PlayByPoint club management system. We asked PlayByPoint CEO & Founder Andres Robelo for a brief statement. He says, “The beauty of our software is that it is highly customizable. We have the ability to have skill-based rating for everything. Programs, reservations etc.”

Nice!

While we consider Club Management software more high-tech, this product is definitely low-tech, but nonetheless looks like a marvelous addition to your toolset.

Developed in partnership with Online Tennis Instruction, the Serve Stand™ is designed for players of all skill levels, both for solo training and coaching sessions.

Check out the videos on this page: https://oncourtoffcourt.com/serve-stand/

Suggested retail is $199.95. Contact OnCourt OffCourt 1-888-366-4717 or visit www.OnCourtOffCourt.com for more information.

Former Tennis Pro CiCi Bellis Launches Venture Firm Cartan Capital With $10M Fund

• The firm has made eight investments and is now closing a second, larger fund. 

• Cartan Capital focuses on Series A and late-seed rounds in sports, tech, and wellness. 

• Its portfolio includes TMRW Sports, Proto Hologram, and Springbok Analytics.

Here’s the link, which leads you to a more detailed article in Sports Business Journal.