Guest players at your tennis club: bookings and guest fee online

Members love to bring a friend, a colleague or family member to the club. Guests are good for the club too: today’s guest may be tomorrow’s member. But guest players also raise questions: may they play at peak times, do they pay, and how do you keep track?

Set clear guest rules

• How many guests per booking? Many clubs allow up to three, so a member can play a double with friends.
• When: guests at any time, or only outside peak hours?
• How often: may the same guest come every week, or should they become a member after a few visits?
• Guest fee: free, or a fixed amount per guest per visit?

Add guests to the booking

Ask members to add guests by name when they book. That way the club knows who is on the court, the board shows the court as taken, and the member stays responsible for their guests.

Collect the guest fee online

A box at the bar or a payment request afterwards costs volunteers time and money is often forgotten. It is easier when the member pays the guest fee online while booking. Some points to keep in mind:

• Hold the court for a short time while the member pays, and release it if the payment does not go through.
• Refund the guest fee automatically when the booking is cancelled.
• Let the club desk and committee book without paying, for example for trial lessons.
• Use payment methods your members know, such as iDEAL, Bancontact or a card.

From guest to member

A guest who keeps coming back is a potential member. Ask your club desk to watch for regular guests and invite them for a trial membership. A friendly email often works better than a rule.