New to Augusta? Start here for immediate tennis access:
Multiple options for residents and visitors: Join USTA leagues through CSRA Tennis Association (csratennis.com, 706-860-4477), use online platforms like PlayYourCourt (playyourcourt.com) which matches players by skill level, or attend open play sessions at Newman Tennis Center. For organized play, check Meetup.com for local tennis groups or visit the courts during peak evening hours (5-8pm).
Newman Tennis Center offers the most flexibility - pay hourly ($5-8 per court/hour) without membership at 3103 Wrightsboro Rd, (706) 821-1600. For clay court experience, Columbia County Racquet Center in Martinez requires reservations (706-860-9288) - non-residents pay $500 annual or inquire about short-term options. Patriots Park in Grovetown has 9 free public courts (no reservations needed). Call ahead to confirm court availability during peak times.
Book private lessons online through MyTennisLessons (mytennislessons.com) averaging $45-65/hour. For group programs, contact Simke Tennis Academy at Patriots Park (706-863-7523, simketennis.com) offering year-round beginner and intermediate clinics. Newman Tennis Center provides city recreation programs (706-821-1600). Jake's Augusta Tennis (augustatennis.org) offers affordable instruction from a former Division 1 player.
CSRATA organizes USTA League play with divisions by skill level - register at csratennis.com. PlayYourCourt's matching system connects evenly-matched players instantly at playyourcourt.com. Join Tennis Apprentice programs (entry-level) through CSRATA. Attend tournaments at Newman Tennis Center (11-14 annually) to meet local players. Many coaches offer skills assessments to properly place you in appropriate groups.
Location: 3103 Wrightsboro Rd, Augusta, GA 30909
Contact: (706) 821-1600 | augustaga.gov
Courts: 18 hard courts (acrylic surface), 14 lighted for night play
Features: Municipal facility operated by Augusta Parks & Recreation, home venue for Augusta University Jaguars tennis teams, hosts 11-14 tournaments annually
Access: Pay-per-use hourly rates or membership options available
Programs: Beginner lessons for adults and juniors, league play, tournament hosting
Location: 421 The Pass, Martinez, GA (near Augusta)
Contact: (706) 860-9288 | visitcolumbiacountyga.com
Courts: Clay and hard courts available
Features: Formerly Petersburg Racquet Club, recently renovated with new pickleball courts added
Access: Free for Columbia County residents (registration required), $500/year for non-residents
Reservations: Required for clay courts - call (706) 860-9288 or visit clubhouse office. Hard courts available without reservation.
Hours: Daily 8am-9pm
Location: 5445 Columbia Rd, Grovetown, GA
Contact: (706) 863-7523 | columbiacountyga.gov
Courts: 9 public hard courts (not lighted)
Features: Home to Simke Tennis Academy, part of larger recreation complex with disc golf, batting cages, and Bobby Waters Gymnasium
Access: Free public courts, no reservations needed
Location Note: About 20 minutes from Augusta in Columbia County
Website: augustacountryclub.org/tennis
Courts: 2 Har-Tru composite clay courts (lighted for evening play)
Features: Founded 1899, Platinum Club recognition, located next to Augusta National Golf Club
Programs: Tennis Pro on staff for lessons, weekly matches, tournaments, and free play for members
Membership: Private club - social members can add tennis package
Family Focus: Programs designed for members and families of all skill levels, weekly children's lessons encouraged
Website: csratennis.com
Contact: (706) 860-4477
Coverage Area: Burke, Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie, and Richmond counties (GA); Aiken, Barnwell, and Edgefield counties (SC)
Established: 1983
Programs Offered:
Facilities Used: Newman Tennis Center, Patriots Park, Columbia County Racquet Center
Website: georgia.usta.com
Role: State tennis association within USTA Southern Section
Services: Tournament sanctioning, league administration, player development programs, statewide events
Website: augustajags.com
Home Venue: Newman Tennis Center
Teams: Men's and women's NCAA tennis programs (Augusta Jaguars)
Community Connection: Hosts tournaments and clinics, players sometimes available for private lessons
Website: playyourcourt.com/locations/augusta-ga-tennis-lessons
Service: Online platform connecting 25,000+ playing partners
Features: Match finder based on skill level, practice partner matching, flexible scheduling, no long-term commitments
Website: augustasportscouncil.org
Tennis Role: Promotes Newman Tennis Center and Patriots Park as tournament venues, coordinates community sports events
Website: simketennis.com
Location: Patriots Park, Grovetown (serving Augusta area)
Head Coach: Goran Simic - USPTA certified, 20+ years teaching experience
Programs:
Contact: (706) 863-7523
Track Record: Students starting as beginners in 2017 now winning junior USTA tournaments
Website: augustatennis.org
Instructor: Jake Fishkin - Former Division 1 player (US Naval Academy, singles positions 2-5)
Focus: High quality, affordable instruction for all levels
Service Area: Augusta and surrounding areas
Contact: (706) 821-1600
Programs: Municipal recreation programs including beginner lessons for adults and juniors, seasonal clinics
Administered By: Augusta Parks & Recreation Department
Website: mytennislessons.com/locations/augusta-tennis-lessons
Services: Connects students with local instructors for private, group, kids, and beginner lessons
Pricing: Private lessons average $45-65/hour
Features: Online booking, instructor reviews, customizable lesson plans
Website: playyourcourt.com/locations/augusta-ga-tennis-lessons
Services: Certified tennis pros for all ages and levels
Pricing: Additional players only $10 more per hour (great for group lessons)
Coverage: Augusta and North Augusta areas
Website: teachme.to/browse/tennis/georgia/augusta
Features: Private lessons for all ages and skill levels, instant online booking
Website: alluvit.com/sports/tennis-lessons/augusta-ga.php
Directory: Lists 10+ verified tennis instructors in Augusta area
Services: Tennis equipment, certified Racquet PROs for stringing services
Stringing: Custom stringing on new purchases and restringing services
Loyalty Program: Frequent Stringer - 4 strings earn 5th free
Note: Confirm specific Augusta location offers racquet stringing by calling ahead
Website: dickssportinggoods.com
For specialized tennis equipment, Augusta players often use:
Local Stringing: Contact Newman Tennis Center or Augusta Country Club pro shops about stringing services
For specialty shopping trips (2.5 hours from Augusta):
Augusta's humid subtropical climate provides exceptional conditions for outdoor tennis throughout the year. With 218 sunny days annually and temperatures ranging from 38°F to 92°F, players enjoy extended seasons compared to northern climates. Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer ideal conditions with temperatures in the 65-82°F range.
The Central Savannah River Area Tennis Association (CSRATA) has fostered a strong tennis culture since 1983, spanning multiple counties in Georgia and South Carolina. The organization's entry-level programs (Tennis Apprentice, Rookie League) make it easy for newcomers to integrate into the community, while competitive USTA leagues accommodate players of all levels.
Newman Tennis Center stands out as one of the Southeast's premier municipal tennis facilities with 18 courts, extensive lighting, and year-round programming. The facility hosts major tournaments while remaining accessible and affordable for recreational players. Combined with Columbia County Racquet Center's clay courts and Patriots Park's free courts, players have diverse options without requiring country club memberships.
Augusta University's NCAA tennis programs bring collegiate-level competition to the city, raising the overall skill level and providing opportunities for local players to train with college athletes. The presence of multiple tennis academies like Simke Tennis Academy demonstrates the sport's growth trajectory in the region.
Augusta's tennis community embodies the warmth of Southern hospitality. Whether you're a visitor looking for a casual rally or a new resident seeking competitive league play, you'll find welcoming players at every facility. The city's tourism infrastructure, developed around the Masters Golf Tournament, ensures excellent amenities for tennis travelers.
Positioned on the Georgia-South Carolina border along the Savannah River, Augusta serves as a tennis hub for the Central Savannah River Area. This bi-state location expands tournament opportunities and creates a larger community of players to connect with across state lines.
Compared to many metropolitan areas, Augusta offers exceptional value. Public court fees remain low, private lessons are competitively priced ($45-65/hour), and multiple free court options exist. The combination of quality facilities and affordable access makes Augusta particularly attractive for tennis enthusiasts on any budget.
Visit during spring or fall for optimal weather. Book accommodations near Wrightsboro Road for easy access to Newman Tennis Center. Connect with local players through PlayYourCourt before arriving. Consider timing your visit around one of Newman Tennis Center's tournaments to experience competitive play and meet the community. The city's established tourism infrastructure means quality lodging and dining options are readily available.