The Best Tennis Clubs in the United States: A Player's Guide (2026)

The U.S. has more storied tennis clubs than any other country, and the gap between "famous" and "actually worth playing at" is bigger than the rankings suggest. This is a player's guide — not a society guide — to the clubs across the country where the courts, the culture, and the access are all genuinely good.

How to Use This List

Tennis clubs in the U.S. divide into roughly three categories: members-only legacy clubs (often hard to access without a sponsor), resort clubs (open to guests via stay or day-pass), and public-access tennis centers (anyone can play, often with surprisingly good facilities). We've focused on clubs that travelers can actually play at — because a guide to clubs you can't get into isn't a guide, it's a real estate listing.

The Picks

1. USTA National Campus, Orlando, FL

The headquarters of American tennis. 100 courts across every major surface, public access, and the home of USTA player development. Whether you're a recreational player on vacation or a junior with tournament aspirations, this is the most democratically excellent tennis venue in the country.

2. The Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, CA

Host of the ATP Los Angeles Open in its glory days, still one of the most beautiful settings in U.S. tennis. Member-only, but reciprocal arrangements exist if your home club has standing.

3. The West Side Tennis Club, Forest Hills, NY

Original home of the U.S. Open until 1978. Grass courts, history in the walls, and a recent restoration that brought it back to form. Limited day-play available for non-members.

4. La Costa Resort, Carlsbad, CA

17 courts, year-round outdoor play, and the only place in California that consistently delivers on the "tennis resort" promise. Worth a long weekend if you're West Coast-based.

5. The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, WV

15 courts on indoor and outdoor surfaces in a setting that feels frozen in time. The hidden tennis destination on the East Coast.

6. Newport Beach Tennis Club, Newport Beach, CA

21 hard courts, a player-first culture, and lessons available from genuinely competitive coaches. Day access is the easiest of any club on this list.

7. Saddlebrook Resort, Wesley Chapel, FL

45 courts across clay, hard, and Har-Tru. The training ground for several Grand Slam champions over the decades. Public-access via stay or coaching package.

8. Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Island, SC

23 clay courts, the home of the original Family Circle Cup. The clay-court destination on the East Coast.

9. The Beach Tennis Club, La Jolla, CA

Small, well-run, with the kind of California-coastal setting that sells itself. Ideal for a single-day visit en route to other San Diego plans.

10. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, CA

Home of the BNP Paribas Open. Public access between tournaments. The chance to play on courts where Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic have all logged thousands of practice hours.

11. The Polo Club, Boca Raton, FL

30 courts including red clay, indoor hard, and grass — the only U.S. club with all three on site. Member-only with limited guest access.

What to Bring When You Visit

Tennis club etiquette varies wildly. The reliable carry: a clean white-or-cream kit (some clubs still enforce this), a racquet bag that doesn't scream sponsorship logo, and your own racquets and stringing notes. We recommend the Racquet Bag Voyager for travel — 3 racquets, carry-on size, and a minimalist design that fits at clubs that still notice these things.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the most prestigious tennis club in the U.S.?

The West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, NY holds the historical title — it hosted the U.S. National Championships from 1915 to 1977. The Riviera Country Club in California has the modern prestige equivalent. Both are members-only.

Can non-members play at private tennis clubs?

Sometimes. Many clubs offer reciprocal arrangements with other private clubs, and most resort-affiliated clubs allow guests through stay packages or day passes. Direct day-play access at member-only clubs is rare.

What's the best public-access tennis facility in the U.S.?

The USTA National Campus in Orlando. 100 courts, all surfaces, public bookings, and proximity to high-level coaching. No other public facility in the country comes close.

Travel-ready bags for the club tour: Racquet Bag Voyager · All Court Backpack · Tennis Travel Bundle.