Falkland Palace Royal Tennis Club

The club now has over 50 members, some of who play regularly throughout the year (despite no roof!). Games are organized on an ad hoc basis, and there are club days through the summer months. There are regular club play sessions on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons after 5pm and on Sunday from 10.30am during the summer. In the winter club sessions are on Wednesday afternoon from 1pm, and Saturday and Sunday mornings. Play is weather dependent, the court becomes dangerously slippery when wet.

The rules on this jeu quarré court are essentially the same as those used on other courts (which are jeu à dedans ). The minor differences take into account the presence of the ais* and 4 lunes, and the absence of a dedans and tambour. A ball striking the ais without first touching the penthouse wins a point. Hitting a ball through a lune also awards a point to the striker on hazard side, though it has been claimed variously that other awards (even a whole game) be given.

As well as remembering the score and chases, challenging enough for most people, players must remember the number and locations of balls hit out of court so that balls can be retrieved once the match is over.

Visitors from other courts are most welcome. They will be charged £5 per person per day, and should arrange their games through Peter (see contact page).

*See The Rules of the T&RA, The Laws of Tennis, Appendix: Glossary of Tennis terms. The definition given there needs minor correcting by saying that the ais "is situated on the Service Side on the Back Wall at its junction with the Gallery Wall ".

[Close]