How to Choose a Padel Club: Features to Look For

If you’ve been playing padel for a while, or simply fell in love with the sport, it’s only natural to consider joining a padel club where you can play on a regular basis and meet others who love padel just as much as you do.

Joining a club is simple, just walk in and sign up. Choosing the right club? That’s a lot more complicated. There are 4,000 clubs across the world, with more opening every day as the sport grows in popularity.

Although we like to think that all clubs are great, we have no way to know for sure, which is why in this article we’ll take a look at certain features you should ask about before joining a club.

What Makes a Good Padel Club

Depending on your reasons to join a club, some of these features may seem more useful than others. For those hoping to play competitively, good instructors and well-maintained courts will be a priority, while those hoping to just have some fun may be more interested in membership benefits and club amenities.

Even if the features don’t matter to you personally, they’ll most likely be included in your fee, so it pays to be informed about the following features before signing up.

Reservation System

What kind of system is in place when it comes to booking a court? Do you need to buy a book a spot ahead of time or can you simply walk up and see if there’s a spot available?

It is important for you to confirm this before opting for a club. The process of booking the courts can also differ from club to club. It could either be a completely online process, or the club might require you to call or visit in person.

Another important aspect of the reservation process is how long they allow you to book the court and whether or not that meets your requirements. If you are in it for the long run, it can be better to find a club where you can book multiple dates in advance.

Changing Rooms

Access to well-maintained changing rooms is a must for most people. Those who play before or after work will appreciate having a place to change into their sports gear, not to mention a nice hot shower once the match is over.

Before joining any club, we suggest you take a tour of their changing rooms, find out how many there are; if there are lockers to store your bags, if you need to bring your own towel, etc.

Membership Benefits

Becoming a member of a club can also give you access to several other facilities apart from the courts themselves. Of course, this can vary from club to club, and even what kind of membership plan you end up going for.

For instance, as a member of the club, you might be able to participate in or casually play other sports if you wish to do so. You might also be able to access swimming pools, lounge areas, food, sauna and spa services, gym, bar, and more.

This can be a great way for you to practice, exercise, rest, and hang out, all in the same place. Before you know it, you’ll be spending the whole day at the club!

Pricing

There are bound to be multiple pricing plans in different clubs, depending on the services and amenities they offer. For instance, if you only wish to access the padel courts and their associated facilities, then you can opt for a more basic plan.

However, if you wish to access other benefits and features, then opting for a premium plan can work better for you.

You should also check the pricing levels of booking individual or multiple padel courts at a time or on a regular basis. There might be differences in the price during peak hours or seasons and off-peak ones.

If you have several clubs close to you, visit each one and try to find the plan that works best for you and your budget.

Court Features

Understanding the kinds of features available on the court itself can help guide your decision. The court features could include the material and quality of the court itself, the net, the presence of proper markings, required height levels, and more.

You can also look at how close to each other the courts are placed, as well as the placement of lighting fixtures, since these may be restrictive for out-of-court play.

Age Limits

In some clubs, there might be an age limit when it comes to accessing the court or the club in general. For example, they might require you to be above 6 years old or above 13 to enter or join the club.

As an adult, you probably won’t have any issues with age restrictions, but if you’re trying to introduce your children to the sport, then it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Equipment

Does the club provide you with the necessary equipment, a padel racket and ball, to play or do you need to bring your own each time?

In some clubs, a membership might give you access to free or discounted personal equipment or you might be able to hire it each time. If not, you might need to buy and bring your own equipment each time.

Instructors

In many clubs, there might be designated instructors or coaches that you can train with. However, it is likely that you will need to pay more for this or buy a premium membership.

Either way, having an instructor to help you improve in the sport is a must if you are hoping to play professionally.

Seating Arrangements

The club that you opt for should ideally have enough seating arrangements in place so that you can rest while or after playing. This is crucial if you plan on bringing friends or family to watch or play with you (make sure you check the regulations regarding this as well).

Reviews

Finally, you should check the reviews of the padel club that you are considering. You can either look at reliable online forums or speak to people who are or have been a part of the club.

This way, you can get a more realistic idea of what to expect about that specific club.

Join the PADEL1969 Club

Joining a club is an amazing way to take your love for padel to the next level, not only because you’ll play more often and get better at it, but because you’ll start sharing experiences and building friendships with people who love the sport just as much as you do.

While we might not be able to tell you the best club to join in your location, you can sign up for the best online padel club in just a few seconds. Sign up for the PADEL1969 club using the form on our homepage and follow us on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok to stay up to date on padel news and receive exclusive tips and tricks!