In more than four decades of teaching and coaching, Dennis Van der Meer has established himself as one of the foremost tennis teachers in the world. A former top player in his native South Africa, he went on to coach Margaret Court and Billie Jean King and then established his own teaching center on Hilton Head Island. In 1988, the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports established a "National Master in Tennis" award and designated Van der Meer as one of the very first recipients.

But Van der Meer's distinction in the world of big-name pros is his willingness to spend unusual amounts of time teaching club players. Most months he personally conducts one or more of the major clinics offered at his tennis centers, and the schedules make explicitly clear which are his and which are led by senior staff. He doesn't just show up, make a brief personal appearance, and disappear. When Van der Meer runs a clinic he is there for the duration, on the court, actively teaching from the first minute to the last.

Overview

Van der Meer's personal presence aside, what distinguishes this tennis center from all the other camps and resorts viewed here is that it is solely a teaching facility with no lodging of its own. Apart from some juniors in its World class program who live at the center, every camper who arrives stays somewhere else. Although the center does make lodging arrangements—and in fact gets its students discounted rates at two local hotels—you're free to stay anywhere you like and book the programs separately. So unlike many other camps where students stay in the same accommodations and often dine together, at the Van der Meer Center the campers disperse at the end of the day and only see each other again by accident or design until the next day's sessions.

Tennis Features

Pro Shop: 843-785-8388

Whether it's Van der Meer or his senior staff running the clinic, the teaching methodology is the same. Van der Meer has developed a highly programmed, step-by-step teaching method he calls the Official Standard Method of Instruction. It breaks each of the basic strokes down into a series of specific steps. Students start by mastering simple skills (like bouncing a ball off the ground with their racquet), which can then be combined to produce whole strokes. The idea is to create confidence by building on successes and thus minimize the frustration of learning a difficult sport. Van der Meer believes that his methods "can teach a beginner the basics of the game faster and more efficiently than any other method."

Tennis Programs. For multi-day adult clinics now take place at the Van der Meer Shipyard Tennis Resort, where there is lodging just steps from the courts. The Tennis Center focuses on daily daily clinics and drill sessions for those who want an hour or two of instruction or a demanding workout.
Courts & Fees. The complex consists of 28 hard and clay courts, 4 of them indoors. Court fees: None.

Your Call

Here's what others have had to say about Van der Meer Tennis Center.

• "Great courts, super pros and programs for all levels from serious to beginners."—K.M., Int., September 2008

• "I was at Hilton Head Island and visited the Van der Meer Tennis University in May of 2008. The person I was traveling with was there to get her certification in instructing tennis through the PTR. I watched some of the classes she was in and participated in several as well, as the "guinea pig" who was learning tennis for the first time. The instructors are very positive and are really great teachers.
  The coaching staff is very experienced and each coach has an impressive background as a player. I was very impressed with the personal attention everyone received and loved that Dennis Van der Meer himself was on the premises the entire time--being very encouraging and answering questions."—B.H., Beg., May 2008

Other Recreation

Beach. Some of the properties the Van der Meer Center uses to house students have beaches; check with the resort for details.

Golf Courses. None. If you want to make golf part of your holiday, either book the Van der Meer program at Shipyard Plantation or check out the other resorts on Hilton Head Island (see Tennis Resorts Online Mid Atlantic Map).

Lodging

Although the Van der Meer Center has no lodging of its own, it does offer discounted rates hotels and villas on the island.

See Also

If you're looking for another camp with an essentially all-day program, also check out:

• Bollettieri Tennis Academy, Florida
• Amherst Tennis Camp, Massachusetts Summer only
• John Newcombe Tennis Ranch, Texas
• New England Tennis Holidays, New Hampshire Late spring into early fall only.
• Saddlebrook Resort(Hopman), Florida

Travel Essentials

Seasons. Year-round, though busiest spring and fall, seasons that Van der Meer himself teaches more than the usual number of clinics. If money is an object, you'll get the best rates in winter, when daytime temperatures on Hilton Head Island can be ideal for tennis, just don't expect to spend much time at the beach.

Van der Meer Tennis Center
P.O. Box 5902
Hilton Head Island, SC 29938
843-785-8388
Toll-free: 800-845-6138
Web Link: Van der Meer Tennis Center

Internet Rates! Other Hilton Head Island Lodging. Check For Internet Specials at Hotels, Condos, and Villas

Travel Instructions. By Air: The Van der Meer Center is 45 miles from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) in Georgia and 95 miles from Charleston International Airport (CHS). Major airlines serve both of those gateways. It is also possible to fly directly to Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH), on commuter service from US Airways Express, via Charlotte, NC. Rental cars and shuttles are available at all three airports.

General Tourist Information. Visit the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 1 Chamber Dr., P.O. Box 5647, Hilton Head Island, SC 29938; 843-785-3673 or toll-free 800-523-3373.

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