Quick Guide for Visitors & New Residents
If you just arrived in Macon and want to hit the courts immediately, here is exactly what you need to know:
- Top Facility: Head straight to the John Drew Smith Tennis Center (3280 N Ingle Pl). It has 24 lighted hard courts, public access, and a pro shop.
- Local Association: Connect with the Macon Area Tennis Association (MATA) via maconareatennis.com for leagues, events, and community matching.
- Court Fees: Public facilities operated by Macon-Bibb County are highly affordable. Call the specific center for current daily drop-in rates or temporary visitor passes.
- Stringing Emergency? Visit the pro shop at John Drew Smith or the local DICK'S Sporting Goods in town.
Assess Your Tennis Level
Find out where you stand and what to work on next. Track your progress right here.
Why Macon is a Great Tennis City
For the avid tennis traveler, Macon is a hidden gem in the Southeast. It has repeatedly been recognized by the USTA and Tennis magazine for its premier municipal tennis infrastructure. As a visitor, you will love Macon because:
- Massive Public Infrastructure: With facilities sporting 20+ courts, finding an open court is rarely an issue, even during peak tournament seasons.
- Southern Hospitality & Community: The local tennis community is deeply organized. Community organizers via MATA regularly host social mixers, round-robins, and "Macon It Social" match-play events where visitors are warmly welcomed.
- High-Level Play: Macon routinely hosts professional and amateur tournaments (like the Mercer Tennis Classic), meaning you can play where the pros play and easily meet highly skilled local hitters.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: The most reliable method is joining local social events or leagues via the Macon Area Tennis Association (maconareatennis.com). You can also show up for adult drills at public centers like John Drew Smith or Randy Stephens, where you'll naturally meet players of your caliber.
A: If you only have a few days, utilize apps like PlayYourCourt (playyourcourt.com) to find local players. Alternatively, call the pro shop at the John Drew Smith Tennis Center and ask the staff to pair you up with locals looking for a hit.
A: Public courts are highly accessible. You can book courts at major centers like Randy Stephens or John Drew Smith by calling their pro shops directly or checking policies on the Macon-Bibb Parks site (maconbibb.us). Private clubs will require a guest pass from a current member.
A: You can book group clinics and private instruction by calling the tennis directors at the public centers. For independent coaching, browse vetted, local professionals on MyTennisLessons (mytennislessons.com).
A: For 2.0 beginners, MATA's "Tennis Apprentice" program is the perfect gateway. For 3.0-4.0 intermediate players, joining a USTA League through MATA (maconareatennis.com) is the absolute best way to guarantee competitive matches against players with your exact NTRP rating.
Community & Associations
MATA is the lifeblood of Macon tennis. Founded in the 1970s, it boasts over 600 members and supports 55+ USTA league teams. They organize adult and mixed leagues, junior development (NJTL), and the highly popular "Tennis Apprentice" program for beginners. They are your first stop for integration into the local scene.
Courts & Facilities
Public Tennis Centers
24 lighted hard courts. This is Macon's premier, nationally recognized municipal facility. It features a pro shop, hosts massive USTA tournaments, and offers public daytime play on designated courts.
23 LED-lighted hard courts. A state-of-the-art, wheelchair-accessible facility south of downtown. Offers pro shop services, community programs, and specialized lines for kids/pickleball.
1 recently renovated outdoor public hard court. Free to use, first-come, first-served.
Features 1 lighted hard court for casual neighborhood play.
Private Clubs
Features 8 clay courts and 5 hard courts. Known for exceptional junior drills, private lessons, and a highly active internal league. Requires membership or member accompaniment.
Offers private and semi-private lessons and adult drills led by certified professionals. Requires membership.
Lessons & Coaching
Macon provides excellent instructional opportunities for all levels:
- Public Center Pros: Both John Drew Smith and Randy Stephens employ certified PTR/USPTA professionals. Call the centers directly to book multi-week clinics or 1-on-1 sessions.
- Tennis Apprentice Program: Run by MATA (maconareatennis.com), this is the most cost-effective way for adults to learn the game, including lessons, a racquet, and a USTA membership.
- Independent Coaches: Platforms like PlayYourCourt (playyourcourt.com) and MyTennisLessons (mytennislessons.com) have a strong presence in Macon, allowing you to hire coaches to meet you at local neighborhood courts.
Shops & Services
Keeping your gear in top shape in Macon is straightforward:
- Pro Shops: The primary pro shops are located inside the John Drew Smith and Randy Stephens tennis centers. They offer stringing, regripping, and basic accessories.
- DICK'S Sporting Goods: Located in Macon (dickssportinggoods.com), they offer reliable racquet stringing and grip replacement services. Call ahead for turnaround times.
- Mail-In Stringing: Many serious Georgia players use regional mail-in experts like Guts and Glory Tennis (gutsandglorytennis.com) for highly specialized string jobs.
Local Tennis Legends
Macon has produced and benefited from several iconic tennis figures who have shaped the local landscape:
A member of both the Georgia and Southern Tennis Halls of Fame. A legendary former pro player and long-time coach at Stratford Academy in Macon, boasting over 500 career coaching victories.
A Macon native and local "tennis guru" who has directed top programs and developed hundreds of collegiate-level players in Middle Georgia.
A pivotal figure in Middle Georgia tennis, serving as the General Tennis Manager for Macon-Bibb County for over two decades and tirelessly promoting the sport in the community.