FAQ
Lakewood is a private, non-profit club. To be admitted, you must be sponsored by a member. Each year, if the Board determines that new members can be admitted, sponsors can get an application from the Lakewood website (look under 'forms') in the spring. All prospective members must attend an orientation session early in the season, where new members learn about the club, and particularly about the rules and social aspects of rotation. There is a minimum level of tennis ability required of all prospective members, so that they'll be able to fully participate in rotation sessions. Lakewood is not a club for beginners. Prospective members are evaluated at the orientation session by a group of members to determine their level of play and congeniality on the court. There is an initiation fee required of all prospective members (currently $450). Prospective members are then required to attend at least three rotation sessions during the Dance Card phase, having their "dance card" signed by members they have played with. If a player is initially approved, the player becomes a “provisional” member. After their initial admission, provisional members are again reviewed by the board towards the end of their first season, and if approved, become full members. The admissions process is more fully described on the Admissions Page of our website. Newton residents have priority, as do former members who want to rejoin, as well as spouses and children of members who are over the age of 18.
Currently, the annual dues are $300, payable by March 15 th of each year. If dues are not paid by March 15, there is an additional fee ($80), payable no later than by April 1. Junior members (members’ children under 18 as of April 1) do not pay. Payment should be made to Lakewood Tennis Club and mailed to Post Office Box 610221, Newton, Massachusetts 02461. Payment can also be made by Venmo (@LakewoodTennis), in which case the amount due is $306. If dues are
not paid by April 1, a member will be terminated.
not paid by April 1, a member will be terminated.
This depends. Historically, this has occurred in the middle of May. Going forward, we are hoping to open earlier, weather permitting, as early as mid-April or late April. In the last few years, the Club has remained open through the end of November. Opening and closing dates depend on the weather. The courts are clay, and clay has to harden up in the spring. If people play on it too soon, there's a risk of damage. And once there's a hard frost in the fall, the season
is over, again, because playing after a hard frost would damage the courts. To learn when opening day will actually happen, check Court Status. A letter will also be sent by the Club president to the membership informing them of opening day.
is over, again, because playing after a hard frost would damage the courts. To learn when opening day will actually happen, check Court Status. A letter will also be sent by the Club president to the membership informing them of opening day.
Please see the Rotation Page for more details. Rotation is what makes Lakewood different from most tennis clubs. It is a time for members to simply show up and play competitive yet social mixed doubles tennis with other members. The social aspect - the chance to get to know other members - is as important as playing the game. During rotation when there are members waiting to play, there is a “bench”. The sets are short (best of five no-ad games wins). The complete rules for rotation play are available on the Rotation page.
Advanced rotation is intended for strong players who are looking for a more competitive and a faster game. Players must possess strong fundamental skills, including a strong serve, play with power and consistency, and understand and use basic doubles strategy and teamwork. Players are expected to run hard, play aggressively, and not restrain their own service or strokes, nor expect other players to do so.
Arranged play courts are reserved by members using the club’s website scheduler. Reservation slots are for 90 minutes. You can reserve a court up to one week in advance. Members may hold a maximum of three reservations at any one time.
If a court is not occupied after the first twenty minutes, other members may use that court for the rest of the scheduled time. Congenial behavior is expected if any disagreements happen
The courts are open daily from 9:00 a.m. until noon and from 1:30 p.m. until dusk. We do not have lights. Popular times are early morning, and weekday afternoon rotation and arranged play sessions. During other times, the courts are more lightly used, so members can almost always find an open court.
Members have virtually unlimited use of the courts, with some exceptions. If other members arrive at a changeover time, players already on the courts from the previous arranged play session must leave. Members may only reserve and/or play during one reserved session (no consecutive reservations or play).
The courts are closed for ninety minutes for maintenance, during which time they are brushed and lightly watered.
Until an applicant gets a “dance card,” guest rules apply. After an applicant attends an orientation session and meets all qualifications, and the Board issues a dance card, prospective members can play only at regular rotation sessions. When the prospective member submits the dance card and the Board approves the member as “provisional,” the player has full playing rights for the rest of the season.
A light summer shower is not usually a problem. The courts dry quickly, although not as fast as hard courts. But playing on the courts, or even walking on them, after a heavy rain can damage them. If there is any question about whether the courts are playable, check Court Status, which will be updated during the day. There are times when this link may not be updated to reflect current and changing conditions. Members are asked to use common sense and not play on the courts if they are wet. A good rule of thumb is if you see your imprint on the clay, do not play.
We hire a tennis manager and local children to maintain the courts. In addition, we have a Grounds Chair, who oversees all aspects of the condition of the courts: nets, fences, windscreens, making sure the courts are smooth and well drained, overseeing the work that goes into opening up the courts at the start of the season and putting them to sleep at the end. Lakewood's courts are about as nice as any clay courts, anywhere. They are brushed, and the tapes cleaned, every morning before play starts, and again at midday. The courts have daily maintenance throughout the season -watering and rolling, cleaning leaves etc. Members are also asked to join work parties, and they happily volunteer!
The courts are closed for ninety minutes, during which time they are brushed and lightly watered.
Members may bring guests during arranged play. Guests are not allowed to play at any Rotation. Members may have up to four guests in any calendar month, but a single guest cannot play more than twice in one calendar month and at least one of the two times must be “off-peak,” i.e., between 10:30 am – 3:00 pm, weekdays. Members may have only one guest at a time, except during off peak hours. Observance of this limit is the responsibility of the member. Since Lakewood is run on an honor system, with nobody minding the gate, members must sign in their guests on the guest log before beginning play as well as on the Scheduler (see below). For a fuller explanation, see GUEST PRIVILEGES on the Rules page.
Junior members (children of members who are under 18 as of April 1) can only play with their parents during arranged play. Junior members are not permitted to play at Rotation.
The best way to get to the club is to walk or ride a bike. Our courts are located in a dense, residential neighborhood, where there are many children and pedestrians. It is critical that all members who drive do so carefully and slowly. You can park on Manchester Road but only on the side closest to the courts, to keep from blocking traffic. Do not park close to anyone’s driveway; leave at least five feet of clearance. Avoid parking on Wenham Road; it is a cul de sac; if you must park there, please park on the north (odd numbered) side of the street.
Courtesy is fundamental to Lakewood - it is written into the Rules and Regulations, and the By-laws, too. It isn't possible to list all the ways to observe courtesy, or all the possible ways to disregard it, but here are a few recurring grievances and the official line: loud talking by those on the bench is discouraged; cellphone use on the bench or the courts is not permitted (please turn your phone off if you bring it, and if you must make a call, go outside the gate and away from the players on Court 1). Leave pets at home; no pets are permitted at Lakewood. No cussing or temper tantrums! Make sure, when you return a ball to a neighboring court that someone knows it's coming. Wait to cross a court until play has stopped, and then move as quickly as you can, along the backcourt fence. And in general, behave!
