Hi friends...I'm hoping for some informed opinions from the padel world.
We're in the process of opening a new club in Australia and not far off ordering courts. Demand still mostly outstrips supply here, but space in the cities can be hard to come by. So we're expecting a pretty good fast update. But space will be tight.
We have a warehouse with room for 3 full courts, and another 2 courts, full length but with restricted width. Around 8.5m max. Rent is expensive here so maximizing return is important.
I'd love opinions on what we could expect the popularity to look like between standard singles courts, and a 8.5m wide modified 'fast' doubles/ wide singles court. To help us decide which to go with. We've heard anecdotally that modified courts haven't detracted from the appeal at all in other clubs.
Other context is that we'd reasonably likely charge around 20% less than the full courts for the modified courts, and around 40% less for singles.
I appreciate the purists won't like non standard, and limitations on anything 'official'. This is more about creating a space people will come back to and creating a successful business.
Thanks!!!
No, NEVER modified courts. Once competitors catch up and open clubs with "proper" courts people are going to play there instead. Either make full doubles courts or singles courts. You could also use the area for warm-up/gym space unless you already have a plan for it, or a shop with clothes, rackets and other equipment.
Which city?
Go for the proper singles court- I've been told that they are always busy. People that cant get 4 togther, social hits, dates, coaching. Close to 100% utilization
Also lots of fun King of the court type games sessions you can do with them
Singles at our club gets booked a lot too. Families like a dad/kid and dates are a very common booking. Or even two friends who just wanna train and hit with each other.
Nobody wants to play on modified fields and I doubt you will get them from manufacturer. Singles is the way to go. Friends playing 1 on 1, couples and training lessons will fill them
singles courts are great for people who want to practice, 2 people who want to play around as 1v1 is great fun with friends, and playing with total beginners/kids/etc
modified courts would still require you to be 4 people, and you can't play too much before you start learning wrong patterns/habits, don't know anyone who would ever use that.
You could create a market for kids with smaller courts, just like they have smaller football fields. As an adult I wouldn't pay for singles or smaller doubles courts.
Are you the guys near North Rocks?
I think singles courts would be the way to go rather than a small doubles court. You can probably check some other clubs near you and see how their singles courts are doing (if applicable) in UK they get booked up at a decent rate just not quite as popular as doubles
I'd vote against making "weird" width courts as well.
I've played on single courts (6m wide) and it's quite fun as well. I don't really understand all the hate with singles.
Honestly, I have played in a modified doubles court for two times and it was a horrible experience. First time around I wasn't even aware of it but thought something was odd as all my lobs were going out. I gave it a go a second time in one of those days when you just want to play and couldn't find anything else available - I promised myself to never return there. Even if there are more "normal" courts in the club, my experience will always be tied to that and I just dislike the club as a whole now. I understand the need to maximise, but think about returning customers and also when supply increases. Might be a good option short term, but definitely not long-term. Good luck!