The short answer: it depends
One of the most common questions new players ask is whether you can just turn up to a tennis court and play, or whether you have to book first. The honest answer is that it depends entirely on the court. Some are turn-up-and-play, some require a booking, and a few sit awkwardly in between.
Here's how to tell which is which before you waste a trip.
Free public park courts: usually no booking
Most free council park courts work on a first-come, first-served basis. There's no booking system, no fee, and no one checking. You turn up, and if it's empty, you play.
The unwritten rule is that you don't hog it. If others are waiting and you've had a decent run, you wrap up and let them on. Some busy courts have informal signs suggesting a time limit (often around 30 to 45 minutes) when people are waiting. Respect it and everyone gets a turn.
Club and indoor courts: usually yes
Club courts and indoor venues almost always need a booking, and often a membership or casual hire fee. These are managed facilities with limited courts and high demand, so they run on schedules.
Turning up to a club court unbooked is a good way to find it already taken, or to be politely told it's members-only. If you want guaranteed court time at a venue like this, book ahead.
The in-between courts
Some public courts have a booking system layered on top, even if they're council-run. You might find a court that's free to use casually but can be reserved online for a fee, meaning a booking holder can bump you. Others use a key-card or app-based access system.
The tell-tale signs that a court has some kind of booking or access system:
- A sign with a website, QR code, or phone number for bookings.
- A locked gate with a key-card reader or combination box.
- Posted hours or a visible schedule.
If you see any of those, check before you assume it's a free-for-all.
How to avoid a wasted trip
The simplest fix is to know the court before you go.
Check the court's access type in advance. Hitter shows whether a court is public, club, or bookable, so you know what you're walking into.
For free courts, go off-peak. Weekday mornings and evenings are far less likely to be full than weekend afternoons.
For anything bookable, just book. If a court takes reservations, securing one removes all the uncertainty for the sake of a few minutes.
Have a backup. Knowing your second-nearest court turns "it's taken" from a dead end into a quick redirect.
The bottom line
Free park courts: usually no booking, just don't hog them. Club and indoor courts: book ahead. When in doubt, check the court's access type before you leave home.
Find courts and check their access type before you head out.