They are not designed to give the world’s busiest golf course down the street a run for its money — which is also your money since Ala Wai is a municipal layout.
Instead, the new hitting cages and putting green at "Waikiki Tennis Club and Golf" are for kamaaina and visitors to work on their golf game in the relative tranquility of the Pacific Beach Hotel’s eighth floor (Ocean Tower). On one side are two clay tennis courts. On the other is the ocean. The piles of people are far below.
The U.S. Tennis Association’s Hawaii Pacific Section put the clay courts in two years ago. For the most part, they have been used by appointment only. The golf facility’s official grand opening is this Monday and, along with four hitting cages, a small putting green and a PGA pro, the addition will also mean full-time club staff.
"We’re also going to start a more customer-service atmosphere, have an attendant on everyday," says HPS Executive Director Ron Romano. "There will always be somebody there and the doors will be open. They will answer the phone, take reservations, handle walk-ins and set up lessons."
For both sports. The section had the space and was looking for ways to bring more people onto its clay courts, which can be reserved by the hour or for outings. Golf was an option, particularly with it so popular for Waikiki tourists.
"We’re trying ways to cross-promote tennis," Romano says. "We thought Waikiki is typically filled with visitors, and a lot of Japanese visitors. What if we had some golf cages, offered lessons. People could come up and practice in the cages and do a little putting. We could utilize the space, hit a predominant market — and others — and cross-promote tennis."
Lesson costs for both sports are almost identical, with tiers for kamaaina, hotel guests and visitors. Golf also offers video analysis and playing lessons can be arranged. Cages are pricey at $20-$30 an hour, but include loaner clubs (right- and left-handed) and balls and one of the lowest parking rates in Waikiki — $1 an hour or $5 for the day.
Having tennis and golf pros around full-time is more for convenience. The thought of golfers taking their hacks with real golf balls on a rooftop with thousands of people below is frightening. The cages are enclosed, with a double net at the back, but attendants will be there to monitor and "make sure people set up properly and don’t pull the mat back 10 feet," Romano says.
"It’s pretty cool," he adds. "Not like the third hole at Kiele, but if you are visiting and have no access or aren’t used to playing courses —in Japan it’s hard to take a lesson or get on a course — then it’s a good option. All you need to do is show up."
For more information, call 206-6735 or visit thewaikikitennisclub.com.
