CONSTRUCTION - CLAY COURTS

(General Construction Process)

Base Preparation

The land on which the tennis courts are to be built should be bored to a level of at least 4”. The boring is
to examine the sub-base material to ensure that there are no organic materials such as roots, tree
stumps, peat, muck, etc. under the court area. The area also should be checked for water intrusion
either from underground springs or an elevated water table. All care should be taken to insure that a
consistent and stable sub-base exists prior to the construction of the tennis courts.

Grading Specifications for the Sub-Base

A. Sub-base should be graded with a pitch of 1" drop for every 20'-28'’ of run. The pitch should fall along
the shortest distance from two parallel edges of the tennis court area. The pitch should fall, if possible,
along the natural lay of the land.

B. The orientation of the tennis courts should be 22 degrees west of true north. This keeps the sun from
becoming a burden to the players as they are playing.

C. The sub-base should have a compaction of at least 95%. However, most important is that the sub-
base have a consistent compaction over the entire area on which the tennis courts are to be located.

D. All vegetation should be removed and the ground sterilized to prevent growth. The area should be
stripped of all surface and sub-surface vegetation prior to the beginning of construction.

E. The area to be graded should have a buffer area of at least 5’ around the perimeter.

Example: If the court area is to be 120’ x 108’ the area to be graded should be 130’ x 118’.
F. The lowest elevation of the tennis court surface should have minimum height clearance from the
surrounding landscaped area of 6".

G. If possible, no trees should exist within 10’ of the court area. If trees are to be planted, they should be
maintained so that root encroachment and debris are kept to a minimum.

Base Stone Preparation

The base stone acts as a stabilizing agent for the tennis courts. Typically base stone is comprised of large
stone sizes up to 1.5" and downward. The base stone should a minimum thickness of 2.5" and a
maximum thickness of 6". In some cases (if the ground is very stable) base stone is not required.
However, great care should be taken to make that decision. The base stones’ function is to keep the
court from moving or sinking over its normal life. Because of this, the stone should be compactible in
nature and stable in its ability to lock up within itself. There are many different materials that can be
used for base stone.

Grading Specifications for the Base Stone

A. The base stone should be consistent in depth throughout the court area. This is very important in that
keeps the drainage of the surface consistent.

B. The surface of the stone should be level within 1/4" with use of 10’ straight edge.

C. The base stone should be laid in 12’ to 15’ wide strips with each strip having both sides shot with a
surveying level every 7’ to 8". This is very important and must be carefully monitored. The use of a laser
grader as an alternative to hand grading is highly recommended.

D. The base stone should be rolled and compacted after installation.

Stone Screening Preparation

The stone screening perform a very important function. They provide the surface material with a water
reservoir for the purposes of keeping the surface material moist. The screening layer also provides the
contractor a means to achieve an almost perfectly graded and level base. It is important that the
screening material holds moisture and that it also maintains compaction. For clay courts beach sand or
crushed shell are not recommended. Granite screening are perfect screening material, but there are
other materials will also work. The screening layer should be no less than 3/4" and no more than 1 1/2"
(unless a modified base is used).

Note: A modified base is a situation where the existing ground is very stable is situation where the
existing ground is very stable eliminating the need for use of the larger stone base. In this situation 1
1/2" to 2" layer of "screening only" can be used. This however, is a special case and should be attempted
with consultation of an experienced tennis court contractor.

Grading Specifications for Stone Screenings

A. The screening should be consistent in depth throughout the court area. This is very important in that
it keeps the drainage of the surface consistent.

B. The surface of the screenings should be level within 1/8" with use of 10' straight edge.

C. The screening should be layed in 12' to 15' wide strips having both sides shot with a surveying level 7'
to 8'. This is very important and must be carefully monitored. Again, as laser grader is highly
recommended.

D. The screening should be rolled and compacted after installation.

E. Any irrigation and sub-base excavation should be done before the installation of the screenings.

Clay (Fast Dry) Material Information

The Clay (Fast Dry) material is the finished product and needs to be placed with the utmost care and
professionalism. This material provides a smooth and comfortable playing surface for tennis players. It is
very important that this material be placed a very consistent depth in its installation and that the
material is kept dry during storage and installation.

Clay (Fast Dry) Installation Specifications

A. The Clay (Fast Dry) material should be consistent in depth throughout the court area. This is very
important in that it keeps drainage of and the watering of the surface consistent.

B. The surface of Fast Dry material should be level within 1/16" with the use of 10' straight edge.

C. The Fast Dry material should be laid in 12' wide strips using 1 1/4" straight steel pipe. A laser grader is
the recommended method for the application of the Fast Dry material. However, some of the finest
clubs in this country were built by hand, and that approach (if done properly) is also an excellent
method.

D. The Fast Dry material should be watered, rolled and compacted after installation.