• Learn why artificial turf makes a great tennis court surface.
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Tennis, Artificial Turf, and Playability

December 7, 2016

Tennis is the type of sport where the right playing surface is key. It needs to offer the right amount of bounce and speed for the ball, of course. For schools and small leagues, though, it also needs to be easy to maintain. The good thing is, a smart new playing surface is hitting the tennis courts: artificial turf. A surface of artificial turf makes for easy upkeep, and there’s no need to brush it after each match.

It also holds up to the kind of intense play involved in the sport. During a match, players are dodging across the ground quickly. This kind of movement can damage a weak material. Artificial turf can take that kind of wear, and it also keeps footwear clean. That’s why more sports teams are starting to use it. It’s also why the experts at Watersavers Turf offer the best products for your new court.

Synthetic Grass Makes Maintaining a Court Easy

Tennis is a well-known game, but not all people who are interested in taking it up can find a place to play. That’s because schools or cities might not have the money to install and maintain a clay tennis court. Luckily, the care of a synthetic grass court is easy. Because it drains well, courts are playable even after rain. Installing it isn’t costly, either. In fact, different synthetic grass types can be used for different sports in one area. A school looking to add a place for students to play tennis, field hockey, soccer, and football could save time and money just using synthetic grass. Rather than working with many crews to design the fields, they could use one cost-effective material for all their needs. This would give all student-athletes a chance to pursue their goals.

Why Plastic Grass is Right for Tennis

Unlike many other sports, the surface of a tennis court can be made of a range of things.

A clay court, which is crushed shalestone or brick, is a common option. That said, plastic grass can mimic a clay court very well. It also increases the speed of the ball for faster game.  Unlike crushed gravel, plastic grass can be played on all year round. Plastic grass is becoming a new trend for tennis courts. This may have something to do with how easy it is to keep it in great condition. For example, it’s being used to cover cracked surfaces without having to totally replace them.

In cases where a place to play tennis is hard to find, a rooftop installation is a great option.  “Sand filled [plastic grass] courts are a good solution for rooftop installations,” notes Rick Burke of NGI Sports, Div. of River City Athletics, and LLC of Chattanooga, TN. Per Burke, this type of surface can be adjusted to provide the type of play the owner wants to have.

Burke states, “The surface provides great shock attenuation. Most of the shock from impact is not returned to the body. Because the surface is loose granules, there is great foot-release without foot-lock. There are three basic options for playability: First, a tight nap, short pile with the infill below the tip of the fiber for a quick grass court type play. Second a more open pile with sand just below the tip of the fiber for a medium-paced play. Third a shorter pile with a colored infill over the top of the fibers for a clay court slide and slow play.”

Other Benefits of Faux Turf

Faux turf drains well and maintains a deep green color. Upkeep is simple too. Debris can be removed with a leaf blower.  Other than that, it’s all about having a good time playing one of the most fast-paced games around.

If you’re a tennis fan in the SF Bay Area, local experts Watersavers Turf offer a line of products that are perfect for your needs.  Please call us at 844-974-8873, or visit us online for a free estimate. You can also stop by one of our nearby locations to learn more about our products or to get free 1’ x 1’ samples.

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