Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have events for non-members?

We have several events open to non-members, such as tennis barbecues, Welcome Centers, and Block Parties. However, the only regularly scheduled event is Social Doubles at the San Francisco Tennis Club which is the 3rd Friday of every month. We meet on the rooftop courts from 6-9pm. It's free, fun, and open to members and non-members. Depending on the weather, we usually have about 15-50 members show up. A board member is usually hanging around to meet you and help you get on a court. If you think you might like to test drive our club, this is a good way. Please check our upcoming events or email the Social Director for more info or to see when the next event is scheduled. All that said, the fastest easiest way to get involved and stay in the know is it to join.

Will you email me about events open to non-members?

Yes. The easiest for us is if you register for a free event such as our monthly social doubles at SFTC. Even if you cannot make the event, we will automatically have you as a contact in our system. Or you can fill out this simple contact form and we'll enter your info by hand. We'll include you in mailings of our e-newsletter, The Ad Out, and occasional emails for events open to non-members. You can expect about one email per month and you can unsubscribe any time.

Are there any requirements to become a member?

Do you have to be gay to join?

I am not a very good tennis player, can I still join?

I'm really, really good. Do you have events and teams for me?

We have several members who have played on the pro circuit or college tennis. We have USTA teams up to about 4.5 rankings. Many of our tournaments have open draws and we love it when the "big kids" come out to play!

What happens when I join?

If you pay via Paypal, you'll instantly have access to our members only area of our website. From there you can email some players, join the challenge ladder, connect with pros, or join in a discussion. You will soon be contacted by our Membership Director, who will add you to our Yahoo Groups and you'll start getting emails about upcoming events. Depending on the season, you may also be contacted about being on a USTA Team, or you can email our USTA Coordinator to see what teams are available. Women will also be contacted by our Women's Director. The best way to get started is to sign up for an upcoming event.

Can I change my email address or control what information is shared with other members?

Absolutely. You can do it all online. Just log in and go to your profile settings.

Do I have to pay the $30 membership fee?

Yes. In order to be covered by our insurance policy you must be a current, paying member. You cannot play on our teams or in most of our events without being a member.

Can I pay for events by check?

Yes, however, it's slower and more time consuming for our volunteer board. Online payment is preferred.

What are the different playing levels?

There are two primary rating systems. The GLTA uses letters and the USTA uses the NTRP Number System. Learn more about the USTA rating system here.

I'd like to volunteer. How can I do that?

Great! This whole club is run by volunteers. If everyone gives a little, we all see the results. Contact our Vice President to learn more.

I'd like to donate to your club, how can I do that?

We are a 501c4 non-profit. We welcome monetary donations as well as materials such as player giveaways, raffle items, and equipment. We also welcome sponsorships. Please use our online donation form, or contact our President.

Can I really get a discount to join SFTC by being a GLTF member?

Yes. The San Francisco Tennis Club invites ALL GLTF Members to be Members of SFTC. As a GLTF Member you will receive 50% off the initiation fee! A membership at SFTC now also gets you FULL and UNRESTRICTED access to Golden Gateway and ALL the Bay Clubs! Join now and receive a New Member Packet including 3 months of FREE New Member Clinics and much more...(valued over $500!) For more information, please contact membership or 415.777.9000.

What does it mean to be on a USTA Team? How big of a commitment is it?

You can learn all about our current teams, including what it means to be on them, on our USTA Teams page.

I've gotten all the way to this last FAQ. It sounds like fun, but I feel that I should wait until...

Don't wait. Really. This is such a fun club and it's really easy to get involved. Many people think they need to take some lessons first or think they'll do it next week. The only thing stopping you is you. We don't care if you don't know what end of the racket to use. We'll take you as you are, whenever you are ready. Click here to join.