We know it’s important to ask questions when seeking to join a country club, and one of those questions should be, “what other amenities does this club offer?” For many clubs, their main focus is the golf courses, but for us at The Forest, it goes beyond the green! The Forest was voted Best of Tennis in Gulfshore Life for three consecutive years. Our tennis offers everything you need to play your best game! So, while many of our beloved members love our two 18-hole golf courses, we have so many members that call The Forest home for our racquet sports as well. Here’s why you should consider joining The Forest for our racquet sports! 

For the Health Conscious

Tennis will get your heart pumping, your quads and hamstrings firing, and your competitive side engaged. Here at The Forest, we support an active lifestyle, and playing a sport like tennis for three hours per week can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 56%. Playing tennis has a wide range of health benefits that make it an ideal physical activity for anyone at any age. It’s a sport for life. 

There are broad movements of tennis, such as swinging and reaching, which are excellent means of increasing your range of motion which helps with joints and strengthens muscles. Not to mention that having a good balance in tennis is a must! And don’t forget the accuracy needed for a serve or preventing you from toppling over every time you lean for a backhand. Using a racquet, you’re training your body to maintain its equilibrium while hitting and serving with a two-foot extension of your arm. Talk ability agility! Who wouldn’t want to be more agile? The fancy footwork of tennis can help you get lighter on your feet, therefore training your body and brain to adapt more quickly. From your hands to your feet, you have to be quick and coordinated. But your motor control goes beyond arms and legs; there’s body rotation. Stopping and starting, and reaching and balancing stabilizing your core in more ways than a simple postural exercise would! 

And last but not least, who doesn’t love some good ol’ vitamin D. Playing on our outdoor tennis courts lets you soak up vitamin D from sun exposure which has been associated with a stronger immune system, improved heart health, and reduced risk of cancer. Just don’t forget to wear your sunscreen! 

For the Kiddos

Tennis is a sport of a lifetime, just like golf! Tennis is a healthy and safe sport specifically for children, too, because a lifetime has to start somewhere, right? Tennis is one of those games that goes beyond the physical demand of running up and down a field; it requires only two people to play and can be as physical as you want it to be. When choosing an activity for your child, thinking about the sport's longevity, tennis and golf will always be the right call! 

While many contact sports have started to gain more attention for potential lifelong injuries, racquet sports have definitely become a favorable option for parents and grandparents looking for a safer and healthy exercise for their children. Not to mention, with tennis, there is a higher chance for a single student focus during lessons and practices. What better way to tire a little one out than with practice and matches that require lots of running around, quick movements, and the use of the entire body. We could go on and on about the health and safety benefits of playing tennis, but above all else, we truly believe that when it comes to any sport, it should start with fun. With strong roots in good sportsmanship, teamwork, and camaraderie, tennis has forever been a social sport. 

For the Paddlers

Pickle-ball is America's fastest-growing sport, especially with older players; 75% of all pickle-ball players are 55 and older. It can conveniently be played as singles or doubles and is much easier to learn thanks to the short paddles, smaller court, and a lighter ball. 

Like other racquet sports, pickle-ball allows you to work on your balance, agility, reflexes, and hand-eye coordination without putting excessive strains on your body. Plus, it’s not as cardio-intensive as tennis but still gets your blood pumping. 

The rules are simple, and the game is fun, making it a great introductory sport! Pickle-ball can also be quite challenging, fast-paced, and competitive once players become more experienced at playing. Members enjoy participating in the weekly social morning open play, which is geared for all levels.

For the Tennis Enthusiasts

Voted Best Of Tennis in Gulfshore Life for three consecutive years, The Forest Tennis offers everything you need to play your best game. Six Har-Tru Hydro clay courts with three lighted courts for nighttime play. A friendly yet competitive environment for all tennis levels, offering various activities and programs tailored for every player. Programs include weekly clinics, singles and doubles play, private and group lessons, league play, junior programs, round robins, tournaments, and special events.

Who could forget our Director of Tennis, Fred Kangwa, a former member of the Davis Cup Team for Zambia, Africa. He has been the Head Tennis Professional at The Forest for over 22 years! A great mentor and friend on and off the courts.

The hottest trend in the racquet sports industry is for clubs to offer more diverse options to their members. Thanks to The Forest Country Club being ahead of the curve, our racquet sports are thriving! When joining a country club, it’s important to ask what else they offer besides golf. While we adore our 36-holes of award-winning golf, we make sure to welcome and prioritize ALL lifestyles. Perhaps you are a golfer, but you want to pick up a new sport to incorporate into your routine; maybe your family is pickle ballers, and you want to find out more about our membership opportunities, Brenda Lanza has all the answers to your questions. You can call her at 239-482-1310 to find out more.