There is a lot of shouting going on in the Billabong Bar. Some 60 of us have turned up at Newk’s Tennis Ranch on a balmy October weekend, and after introductions to the pros, an hour of lively drills, and a dinner of steak, salmon, scalloped potatoes, sautéed vegetables, salad, and chocolate cake we’ve reconvened in the bar, divided now into two groups, Team Australia and Team USA, for a pep talk with our respective captains and camp co-directors, Chris Jacques and Mitch Joyce.
The actual Davis Cup-style competition won’t take place until tomorrow when we gather as teams in two separate bleachers to cheer on our respective captains and their partners in a pro doubles exhibition. Tonight, however, we’re being introduced to the fine art of “barracking,” which consists chiefly of shouting loudly to support your team coupled with hurling insults at the opponents. And for those of us on Team Australia that also means a rehearsal of the classic cheer: “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oy, Oy, Oy.” The team meetings over, many of us grab a drink at the bar and head outside to a pavilion and firepit for s’mores, entertainment by the Grand Slams—an informal band comprised of several of the pros—and a chance to get to know more of our fellow campers.
They don’t make tennis camps like Newk’s tennis ranch anymore. It is the last of a breed, a vestige of the tennis-boom era when days of banging balls were followed by nights of hanging out with the pros and new-found tennis mates. Everybody played together all day and then gathered together again for dinner, merry-making, and maybe a beverage, and entertaining one another with songs, stories, and conversation. The unwritten assumption was that anyone who loved tennis enough to spend five hours a day doing drills must be worth getting to know.
Former world No. 1 John Newcombe opened the ranch in 1968 with former Trinity University coach Clarence Mabry. Much of the teaching methodology continues to be based on the techniques Newk learned from legendary Australian Davis Cup coach Harry Hopman and on those Mabry employed when he helped launch the careers of Dick Stockton, Brian Gottfried, and Chuck McKinley. As principal owner, Newk spends as much as six weeks a year at the Ranch, including two Fantasy events (see Calendar below. Historic photos and magazine covers of Newk decorate the walls of the main lodge, as do posters of Australia. His influence permeates the camp.
The property was, in Newk’s words “a run-down dude ranch,” when he and Mabry first looked at it, but its location in the Texas Hill Country, 20 miles north of San Antonio and 30 miles south of Austin, appealed to Newk who wanted a retreat from the circuit when he was in the U.S. Today the ranch has 31 courts, four of them indoors and another four that are clay. The original ranchhouse has a pro shop, dining room with tables for eight or more, and the Billabong Bar. Behind the ranchhouse stretches a terraced deck with picnic tables in the shade of several large live oaks—a camper favorite for lunch on pleasant days—just steps from an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub. From there it is a short stroll to the adult accommodations, which consist of a mixed bag of rooms, cottages, casitas, and one- and two-bedroom condos. As the ranch has grown, so has the town of New Braunfels, so the spread no longer feels so rural and isolated as it did when I first visited—particularly given that John Newcombe Estates, a housing development and country club, has spring up on the adjacent 200 acres. Still, I surprised a couple of deer on campus as I walked to breakfast one morning and another camper spotted a javelina.
Phil Hendrie has been the Director of Tennis for the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch for the past 40+ years, overseeing both the adult and junior programs. Throughout his time at the Ranch he has coached players such as Lleyton Hewitt, Li Na, Michael Venus, Nicole Melichar, Ryan Harrison, and many more. He also has a high success rate of getting young players college scholarships. Phil heads up a staff of more than a dozen tennis professionals including Stephen Rogers and Max McDulin, the Directors of Adult Tennis.
Tennis Programs: In the adult camps, each day begins with a basic overview of the strokes on the day's agenda, generally focused on basics of technique. From there it's out to the courts and a mixture of drills, half of them with the pro doing the feeding, the other half live ball sessions, pitting campers against each other or one or more pros. There is often one or more pros who rove, pulling aside individual campers for specific advice on improving a particular stroke. Each of the morning and afternoon sessions lasts 2½ to 3 hours and often conclude with some sort of informal doubles competition. Midweek sessions add videotaping to the mix.
Court Complex: 27 hard courts (4 covered) and 4 Har-Tru courts
Court fees: None
Off Court
Fitness Center: Although it is hard to imagine why anyone who spends 5 hours on court would feel the need for a fitness center, the Ranch does in fact have one in a cinderblock building near the covered courts, principally intended for the full-time junior academy students but available to adults who feel a need for it. It has the usual weight machines and Cardio equipment along with a battery of devices intended for tennis specific exercises, including medicine balls and balance platforms. It may also come into play, as it did during my visit, in the case of rain, sending part of the group to the covered courts, part to the fitness center for an overview of tennis-specific exercises. There is no spa; however, there is a massage therapist on call.
Accommodations
Campers can choose from a variety of accommodations, all clustered around or near the courts. These range from simple rooms with two double beds to one- and two-bedroom condos, the latter with fireplaces, full kitchens, and washer-dryers.
Getting there
Seasons: Year-round with the lowest rates available from November through February.
Travel Instructions: By air: The nearest airports are San Antonio, roughly 30 minutes to the south, and Austin, roughly 45 minutes to the north. By Car: The ranch is on Highway 46 in New Braunfels, Texas. From San Antonio, take I-35 North to Loop 337. Exit and turn left following Loop 337 to Highway 46 West. Exit, turn left (west), and drive approximately 2 miles then turn left at the large water tower marked "Newks Resort." Follow the signs to the Main Lodge.
Just finished the 5 day camp and it was well worth the money. The accommodations and food were great. The pros seem really devoted to improving your tennis game and giving you a great experience. The evening events w/ the pros were great too. They really do commit to spending a lot of time w/ the guest and ensure you have a great time. I’d say approx 70% of the program is drills/games, but you get to work on the shots you never really practice. These help you exploit your true weaknesses and introduces many new drills you can practice once you leave the camp. There were about 6hrs of scheduled tennis a day and then you were free to play afterwords. Although there were only a limited number of courts (2-3) after the scheduled tennis. Most people were too tired anyways. One little extra was being able to see the deer all over the resort in the evenings/morning. You could get maybe 10ft away from a grazing deer. Overall a great experience and would definitely return.
LH
Great time at newks. Sal(karaoke kid) and Jake(CRazy Legs) were great. Lots of great drills and games and some fooling around too.The pros did their best to make sure you improved your game and had a good time on and off the court too. Food was good and the accomodations were clean. Would do this again
MM
Great tennis weekend with terrific instruction, good food and great playing courts. Clay and hardcourts were available.
SH
A wonderful camp that keeps your attention, brushes up on new and old skills and is a ton of fun at a very affordable price..plus the food and entertainment is great!
LS
Had a blast. Very entertaining. Came away with several important new skills to work on. Staff had great chemistry and made it really fun and lively. These guys are a bunch of commedians! Everyone should go. It’ll be a highlight of your year.
EE
I would reccomend a visit, the instruction was knowledgeable, the workout challenging, and the instuctor upbeat. There also is some flexibility available which is nice.
CD
This is the place to go if you are looking not only to brush up on your game but also to have a fantastic time. Chris, Sal, Jake, Kike, and Nelson are all highly skilled instructors who share a passion for the sport and great senses of humor. When I attended the camp, there were about 15 adults to the 5 instructors which made for a highly personalized experience on the court. I can’t recommend this camp highly enough. I had a blast and would go back again. I have been to other highly regarded camps including John Gardner’s and Saddlebrook and Newks blows them both away. Aussie Aussie Aussie Oy Oy Oy!!!!!
LR
Tennis ranch perfectly describes it. It is nestled in some of the prettiest hills in Texas. This former dude ranch, has a charming and fun staff who know all about tennis.
TL
We had a great weekend. LOTS of great tennis clinics and the pros were not just informative with their tennis info, but were friendly and enertaining as well!!!! We will definately go back!
PL
Fantastic experience. Great staff, great instruction, great tennis, great food. All around amazing experience.
AK
I really had a great time at tennis camp. This was my third time to join tennis camp at NEWKS. Pros are very friendly and have very high tennis skills. The hotel room is comfortable, but I was a little bit annoyed by TV sounds from the next door. I will attend the tennis camp next year.
MR
I adhere to a philosophy that the only difference between a rut and a grave is the dirt in your face. So at 62 each day I try to learn something to avoid both of these things. With this in mind I attended the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch. I went hopeful the instruction improve my tennis game and that the food would be better that mediocre and appropriate to the activity. It was a great experience on every count. The adult instruction – from the drills to the one-on-one – was awesome. From the co-director of our program Sal Barbaro to the pros on his team the staff was in the words of the academy “Rock Solid” and made fun out of some were very serious hard work. I left feeling they not only helped improve my game but had provided a great three days of fun. The friends whom I went with and I all agreed that it would be hard to beat the Aussie hospitality at this place and that we will return soon.
SR
Just returned from a fantastic weekend of hard work and great fun on the tennis court. Chris and Sal bring new meaning to the term “court jesters” as they manage to keep you laughing while working you very hard with excellent drills and instruction. The food is excellent and the cost is very reasonable. We are already planning to return for the week-long camp.
KB
Wow…what a fun weekend! I just returned from a tennis weekend with 32 girlfriends. We had SO MUCH FUN! We played tennis/drilled all day long. We stayed in a condo with maid service and had three tasty meals a day, so all we had to think about was tennis and having fun! Saturday night, they hired a wonderful DJ and we danced the night away! Newk’s is a great resort for a girl’s get-a-way or for a couple. I have been before and will definitely return again! Thanks Sal and Chris!!!
VH
The whole program was first rate. Chris and Sal have a very geniune way of making EVERYONE feel very special and capable. Their tennis instruction is some of the best I have had in a group setting. The food at the ranch is impeccably good and very healthy and hardy…I totally recommend this camp to anyone interested in improving their tennis play and having a fun and memorable experience.
KR
Super tennis instruction and incredibly energetic and enthusiastic pros. Lots of structure (which I like) but enough flexibility that you can attend to work if you must. Newks is easy to visit if you are on your own – they do all the arrangements for you.
SR
A fun choice when thinking about a tennis vacation. They feed you, teach you, in fact they coddle you the whole time you are there. You get unparalleled instruction, teaching needed skills while keeping it fun throughout the day, and then if you choose they will act as travel guides at night, showing you the local sites.
JA
Newks is a highly recommended getaway at a reasonable rate for any tennis player. With stellar teaching pros who provide innovative, fun clinics (with a little Aussie flair) and positive individualized instruction to all their guests, you will have an amazing time while improving your tennis game. Chris and Sal find a way to integrate learning and enjoyment very well… our group of 12 had a fabulous time in the beautiful Texas hill country on our annual retreat to Newks… a vacation we always look forward to!
GM
Excellent retreat getaway set in a relaxing atmosphere world class and world travelled pro’s with a great sense of humor molds each group into a family by the end of their stay. Great lessons catered to both playing and fitness level. Group dinners with pro staff providing endless entertainment, good for couples or your whole team.
JR
Definitely worth the trip and the money. Great lessons, great pros, great facility!
TM
GREAT staff, GREAT fun, LOTS of tennis! We always have a great time at NEWKS!
TB
Excellent tennis and instruction! The pros are always willing to listen to your questions and will help you in any way they can. Plus, they spend time with you and make you feel like a part of the tennis program, not just a visitor for a few days. Will keep going back!
MH
Always a great experience at Newk’s. The staff is thoroughly knowledgeable and they go the extra mile to make sure you are getting the instruction that you need. You will be entertained throughout the weekend and will leave with blisters on your feet from 15+ hours on the court and on the dance floor! Thanks Chris and Sal for another great weekend. Can’t wait to get back!
VM
Newk’s is a great place to go to let down and work on your tennis game. You get all the tennis you can handle in a weekend, plus great fun and entertainment. I went with a girlfriend and we had a BLAST! It has a personal feel to it as the coaches seem to get to know you very quickly.
RP
I would highly recommend Newk’s to anyone interesting in having a great vacation while at the same time improving their tennis game. The Pros there are funny, engaging and great to work with. The resort is nice and is an excellent spot for a nice getaway.
MC
Come ready to drill and receive constant instruction and direction.
TF
For our last vacation, we opted for the Weeklong tennis package at Newk’s. It was just great : great tennis clinics, great pros, great food, great smiles. Work out, improvement and fun every day. We loved the setting and the laid-back and friendly atmosphere of this camp in Texas Hill Country. A special thanks to Chris, Sal, Kuda and Jason for making our stay so… perfect !
AD
This is the second time that we visited Newks and loved it! The instruction is awesome, the teaching staff is both informative and entertaining. Everyone at the ranch is so friendly. The format of the days are great. I recommend going for the week long program. This past time we were only able to go for 2 days of the week long program and then the weekend. It was still great but we preferred the week long program. The improvement of our game was very evident and the instructors make you feel very comfortable giving you instruction. Chris and Sal are great, both on and off the court. We loved the supporting pros too. The accommodations are new and comfortable (but both times we visited in the spring the pool is freezing!) We love coming here and will visit again in the future.
YO
John Newcombe’s Tennis Ranch is awesome! I just went this past weekend and had a great time. There was alot of tennis. The pro’s had us work on everything. Forehand, backhand, volley’s, serve, strategy, and all along having a sense of humor about it all. While you were practicing with one pro with a group another pro was walking around and making sure you were getting it or helping you tweak it. Sal and Chris were the two pro’s who were running the camp. They are so knowledgable about all things tennis. They also had a way of presenting the clinic and drills that you knew exactly what you would be doing and that not only would you get it but would have fun while doing it. If a workout is what you want you are guaranteed to get one. The evenings were just as much if not more fun then the days. Games, karaoke, dancing, and even drinking if you prefered. Everyone who worked there were so nice. The food was good and there was always fresh fruit and salad. I went with a group of 9 and we all plan on going back soon and bring more of our tennis friends.
ML
Absolutely LOVED this tennis camp! Where to start? Sal…Chris…Cuda…you’re the best!! Jesse and Eric too!! Jason rocks as bartender, jack-of-all-trades, and master Farkel player. The instructors were top-notch tennis players who teach techniques while making drills seem like games. The information is presented and reinforced both by discussion and by actual play. And WOW, you can’t beat the food!!! What a great kitchen staff. Can’t wait for our next visit…..
NS
I just got back from my 2nd trip to Newk’s tennis camp in New Braunfels, Texas (April 2009). It is absolutely my favorite place to go on vacation. Chris and Sal who run the adult camp are great. They spent a lot of time with us both on the court, during meals, and in the evenings at the bar. They keep things fun and the instruction is top notch. There are always courts available to play though after spending 6 hours on the court every day, I was pretty spent. I also want to mention that even though they don’t have a spa, they have a message therapist available who is absolutely fantastic. Vanessa specializes in sports massage and I left the camp with my chronic back pain significantly reduced. If you like a no-nonsense approach to just great tennis, this is the place for you!
JS
I just return from the tennis ranch. It was very good. The instruction was very excellent. The pros watched every detail of your stroke and critique you. It was like having a private lesson. After every session,what was learned was put into a live ball drill. To make sure you try to incoropate what you learned into match play. The food was excellent. The room was very comfortable. I will definetly go back.
DW
From the moment you arive you feel like you are among friends you have known for years. The instructors make the instruction fun while they evaluate every stroke. I particularly like the all inclusive style where you don’t have to worry about where to eat after a hard day on the courts.
MP
Just returned from another wonderful weekend at Newk’s. Many thanks to our instructors Sal, Kuda, Adrian & Trevor. Had a great time & learned a lot.
SH
We just completed an adult clinic week at Newk’s Tennis Ranch. This was our fourth visit to the Ranch and we had another great week. The clinic directors are personable, knowledgeable, and sincere in their efforts to make every guest feel comfortable and important.The drills have good variety and are skill and game specific. The atmosphere at the Ranch is great. The food is exceptional and healthly! The evening activities promote comraderie amoung guests and provide lots of fun entertainment. A perfect five day getaway that promotes fitness, tennis, and well being.
PR
I recently attended the weekday adult camp. The level of instruction was great. Accomodations were quite comfortable, but not fancy – which is what I expected, given the price. The food was great, and the atmosphere was laid back and welcoming. Great value considering its essentially an ‘all inclusive’ tennis vacation.
KM
Great Staff who makes you feel welcome. Had a blast- laughed a lot and enjoyed a weekend of fun tennis! Can’t wait to go again!
KL
My wife and I are going back. I don’t know if it was the setting, the food, the hospitality, the staff or the tennis – or a unique combination them all but not only was this a great tennis experience, it was just a fun experience. We learned a lot and played a lot. We’re going back.
CG
Thought the camp was awesome and plan on going back this summer. Tons of tennis and good company. The pros work you silly during the day and then hang with you at night -good comraderie.. Also, we had a small group which is typical.. not lost in a crowd, they get to know you even over a weekend. Not fancy on accomodations but it was fine. food was good and overall what you get for the money is a good value. Strength – you hit a ton of balls. Weakness – the rooms. OH, and get a massage! The lady that comes and does them is excellent!
GM
Excellent pro’s gave lively lessons, supervised play, and Davis Cup type fun event competitions. What sets this apart from other resorts with great instructors is the fun does not stay on the court. The pro’s bond with the campers, eating meals sharing stories and the ever present jokes. In the end, your game improves dramatically and you have a new extended family with both the pros and the other campers. Food is excellent and family style, evening entertainment further bonds the group together lead again by the pro’s. The Pro’s are as passionate on court getting to know the individual and how to help improve their game. The facilities are rustic and not well sound-proofed, but in the 3 camps we’ve attended, it has not been an issue as by the time you retire to the condo’s you’ve had a full day and are ready for bed.
SM
I visited Newk’s (for the 2nd time) for an adult tennis weekend in February 2009 with my tennis team. I loved the way the weekend was all-inclusive. After we got there, we didn’t need to leave. There were plenty of pros, and we drilled with no more than 5 on a court. I recommend coming to Newk’s in pairs, however, because so many of the drills and live ball work requires either 2 or 4 players. The party Saturday night was a lot of fun, but since we came without husbands, it was too uncomfortable to join in the dancing.
LL
Strengths: Excellent pro-staff, good student to pro ratio, good overall program, not overwhelming for a weekend tennis event. Weaknesses: Perhaps other ways to wind down other than drinking 😉
ZM
This was my first time traveling with my club as the assistant pro. I can rest assure that myself, along with all those who traveled with me plan on going back next year; in fact, only a few days after leaving we have begun booking our trip for next year! The staff was exceptional! Not just on the court, but off the court as well! Most facilities put all their work into pleasing people with tennis only, but Sal was a trooper! How many places can you say that there was six hours of tennis with an instructor and then that very instructor went out to dinner, to a dance hall, and then stayed up until 6:30 in the morning watching a grand slam final with you?! Not to mention they woke up in the morning two and a half hours later and still exploded with energy and enthusiasm on the court! Worth every penny and more!
BC
Newks is AWESOME and I have been going for almost 10 years. It just gets better and better.If what you want is tennis then this is the place you need to go.
DS
This is a great place to visit. LOTS of good instruction and a lot of fun!
AP
The top reason I would recommend John Newcombe’s Tennis Ranch to friends is because of the exceptional instructors. They were energetic, engaged and made sure each guest got specific and personal attention and instruction. I can’t wait for my next trip. If you’re thinking of going to a tennis camp, make Newks your choice.
LN
This is an amazing camp both on and off the court no matter what your age is! You will receive excellent instruction while having a great time on the court. The Pro’s are very engaging and the food is exceptional. Had a blast every night when I wasnt playing tennis!
JC
Great Value! Sal and Chris work really hard to improve your game and offer friendly advice at all times. It is the perfect family atmosphere with a terrific juniors camp (Top Guns). It was mostly a 4:1 ratio during the Xmas-New Years week, but had a good range of players 3.5-4.5 NTRP. The food was well prepared and accommodations were comfortable.
AL
There is no other place my family would spend the last week of the year than at Newks! We just came back from our 4th visit to the Ranch and as usual, it was terrific! There are no words to adequately describe the high quality of instructions, the professionalism of the Pros, the fun atmosphere and the helpfulness of the staff. Great tennis, lots of fun memories. Thanks, guys!
TA
I just attended Newk’s adult camp and my two boys attended the kids camp. I am a 5.0 plus player and my kids play Sectional and National tournaments. We had a great time and got great instruction. Chris and Sal made every minute fun and “Fossil” Phil was like one of the kids pushing them and having fun at the same time. The food was great and the price was reasonable. I would highly recommend attending.
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458 Reviews on “John Newcombe Tennis Ranch”
Just finished the 5 day camp and it was well worth the money. The accommodations and food were great. The pros seem really devoted to improving your tennis game and giving you a great experience. The evening events w/ the pros were great too. They really do commit to spending a lot of time w/ the guest and ensure you have a great time.
I’d say approx 70% of the program is drills/games, but you get to work on the shots you never really practice. These help you exploit your true weaknesses and introduces many new drills you can practice once you leave the camp. There were about 6hrs of scheduled tennis a day and then you were free to play afterwords.
Although there were only a limited number of courts (2-3) after the scheduled tennis. Most people were too tired anyways. One little extra was being able to see the deer all over the resort in the evenings/morning. You could get maybe 10ft away from a grazing deer. Overall a great experience and would definitely return.
Great time at newks. Sal(karaoke kid) and Jake(CRazy Legs) were great. Lots of great drills and games and some fooling around too.The pros did their best to make sure you improved your game and had a good time on and off the court too. Food was good and the accomodations were clean. Would do this again
Great tennis weekend with terrific instruction, good food and great playing courts. Clay and hardcourts were available.
A wonderful camp that keeps your attention, brushes up on new and old skills and is a ton of fun at a very affordable price..plus the food and entertainment is great!
Had a blast. Very entertaining. Came away with several important new skills to work on. Staff had great chemistry and made it really fun and lively. These guys are a bunch of commedians! Everyone should go. It’ll be a highlight of your year.
I would reccomend a visit, the instruction was knowledgeable, the workout challenging, and the instuctor upbeat. There also is some flexibility available which is nice.
This is the place to go if you are looking not only to brush up on your game but also to have a fantastic time. Chris, Sal, Jake, Kike, and Nelson are all highly skilled instructors who share a passion for the sport and great senses of humor. When I attended the camp, there were about 15 adults to the 5 instructors which made for a highly personalized experience on the court. I can’t recommend this camp highly enough. I had a blast and would go back again. I have been to other highly regarded camps including John Gardner’s and Saddlebrook and Newks blows them both away. Aussie Aussie Aussie Oy Oy Oy!!!!!
Tennis ranch perfectly describes it. It is nestled in some of the prettiest hills in Texas. This former dude ranch, has a charming and fun staff who know all about tennis.
We had a great weekend. LOTS of great tennis clinics and the pros were not just informative with their tennis info, but were friendly and enertaining as well!!!! We will definately go back!
Fantastic experience. Great staff, great instruction, great tennis, great food. All around amazing experience.
I really had a great time at tennis camp. This was my third time to join tennis camp at NEWKS. Pros are very friendly and have very high tennis skills.
The hotel room is comfortable, but I was a little bit annoyed by TV sounds from the next door. I will attend the tennis camp next year.
I adhere to a philosophy that the only difference between a rut and a grave is the dirt in your face. So at 62 each day I try to learn something to avoid both of these things. With this in mind I attended the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch. I went hopeful the instruction improve my tennis game and that the food would be better that mediocre and appropriate to the activity. It was a great experience on every count. The adult instruction – from the drills to the one-on-one – was awesome. From the co-director of our program Sal Barbaro to the pros on his team the staff was in the words of the academy “Rock Solid” and made fun out of some were very serious hard work.
I left feeling they not only helped improve my game but had provided a great three days of fun. The friends whom I went with and I all agreed that it would be hard to beat the Aussie hospitality at this place and that we will return soon.
Just returned from a fantastic weekend of hard work and great fun on the tennis court. Chris and Sal bring new meaning to the term “court jesters” as they manage to keep you laughing while working you very hard with excellent drills and instruction. The food is excellent and the cost is very reasonable. We are already planning to return for the week-long camp.
Wow…what a fun weekend! I just returned from a tennis weekend with 32 girlfriends. We had SO MUCH FUN! We played tennis/drilled all day long. We stayed in a condo with maid service and had three tasty meals a day, so all we had to think about was tennis and having fun! Saturday night, they hired a wonderful DJ and we danced the night away! Newk’s is a great resort for a girl’s get-a-way or for a couple. I have been before and will definitely return again! Thanks Sal and Chris!!!
The whole program was first rate. Chris and Sal have a very geniune way of making EVERYONE feel very special and capable. Their tennis instruction is some of the best I have had in a group setting. The food at the ranch is impeccably good and very healthy and hardy…I totally recommend this camp to anyone interested in improving their tennis play and having a fun and memorable experience.
Super tennis instruction and incredibly energetic and enthusiastic pros. Lots of structure (which I like) but enough flexibility that you can attend to work if you must. Newks is easy to visit if you are on your own – they do all the arrangements for you.
A fun choice when thinking about a tennis vacation. They feed you, teach you, in fact they coddle you the whole time you are there. You get unparalleled instruction, teaching needed skills while keeping it fun throughout the day, and then if you choose they will act as travel guides at night, showing you the local sites.
Newks is a highly recommended getaway at a reasonable rate for any tennis player. With stellar teaching pros who provide innovative, fun clinics (with a little Aussie flair) and positive individualized instruction to all their guests, you will have an amazing time while improving your tennis game. Chris and Sal find a way to integrate learning and enjoyment very well… our group of 12 had a fabulous time in the beautiful Texas hill country on our annual retreat to Newks… a vacation we always look forward to!
Excellent retreat getaway set in a relaxing atmosphere world class and world travelled pro’s with a great sense of humor molds each group into a family by the end of their stay. Great lessons catered to both playing and fitness level. Group dinners with pro staff providing endless entertainment, good for couples or your whole team.
Definitely worth the trip and the money. Great lessons, great pros, great facility!
GREAT staff, GREAT fun, LOTS of tennis! We always have a great time at NEWKS!
Excellent tennis and instruction! The pros are always willing to listen to your questions and will help you in any way they can. Plus, they spend time with you and make you feel like a part of the tennis program, not just a visitor for a few days. Will keep going back!
Always a great experience at Newk’s. The staff is thoroughly knowledgeable and they go the extra mile to make sure you are getting the instruction that you need. You will be entertained throughout the weekend and will leave with blisters on your feet from 15+ hours on the court and on the dance floor! Thanks Chris and Sal for another great weekend. Can’t wait to get back!
Newk’s is a great place to go to let down and work on your tennis game. You get all the tennis you can handle in a weekend, plus great fun and entertainment. I went with a girlfriend and we had a BLAST! It has a personal feel to it as the coaches seem to get to know you very quickly.
I would highly recommend Newk’s to anyone interesting in having a great vacation while at the same time improving their tennis game. The Pros there are funny, engaging and great to work with. The resort is nice and is an excellent spot for a nice getaway.
Come ready to drill and receive constant instruction and direction.
For our last vacation, we opted for the Weeklong tennis package at Newk’s. It was just great : great tennis clinics, great pros, great food, great smiles. Work out, improvement and fun every day. We loved the setting and the laid-back and friendly atmosphere of this camp in Texas Hill Country. A special thanks to Chris, Sal, Kuda and Jason for making our stay so… perfect !
This is the second time that we visited Newks and loved it! The instruction is awesome, the teaching staff is both informative and entertaining. Everyone at the ranch is so friendly. The format of the days are great. I recommend going for the week long program.
This past time we were only able to go for 2 days of the week long program and then the weekend. It was still great but we preferred the week long program. The improvement of our game was very evident and the instructors make you feel very comfortable giving you instruction. Chris and Sal are great, both on and off the court. We loved the supporting pros too. The accommodations are new and comfortable (but both times we visited in the spring the pool is freezing!) We love coming here and will visit again in the future.
John Newcombe’s Tennis Ranch is awesome! I just went this past weekend and had a great time. There was alot of tennis. The pro’s had us work on everything. Forehand, backhand, volley’s, serve, strategy, and all along having a sense of humor about it all. While you were practicing with one pro with a group another pro was walking around and making sure you were getting it or helping you tweak it.
Sal and Chris were the two pro’s who were running the camp. They are so knowledgable about all things tennis. They also had a way of presenting the clinic and drills that you knew exactly what you would be doing and that not only would you get it but would have fun while doing it. If a workout is what you want you are guaranteed to get one.
The evenings were just as much if not more fun then the days. Games, karaoke, dancing, and even drinking if you prefered. Everyone who worked there were so nice. The food was good and there was always fresh fruit and salad. I went with a group of 9 and we all plan on going back soon and bring more of our tennis friends.
Absolutely LOVED this tennis camp! Where to start? Sal…Chris…Cuda…you’re the best!! Jesse and Eric too!! Jason rocks as bartender, jack-of-all-trades, and master Farkel player.
The instructors were top-notch tennis players who teach techniques while making drills seem like games. The information is presented and reinforced both by discussion and by actual play.
And WOW, you can’t beat the food!!! What a great kitchen staff. Can’t wait for our next visit…..
I just got back from my 2nd trip to Newk’s tennis camp in New Braunfels, Texas (April 2009). It is absolutely my favorite place to go on vacation. Chris and Sal who run the adult camp are great. They spent a lot of time with us both on the court, during meals, and in the evenings at the bar. They keep things fun and the instruction is top notch. There are always courts available to play though after spending 6 hours on the court every day, I was pretty spent.
I also want to mention that even though they don’t have a spa, they have a message therapist available who is absolutely fantastic. Vanessa specializes in sports massage and I left the camp with my chronic back pain significantly reduced. If you like a no-nonsense approach to just great tennis, this is the place for you!
I just return from the tennis ranch. It was very good. The instruction was very excellent. The pros watched every detail of your stroke and critique you. It was like having a private lesson. After every session,what was learned was put into a live ball drill. To make sure you try to incoropate what you learned into match play. The food was excellent. The room was very comfortable. I will definetly go back.
From the moment you arive you feel like you are among friends you have known for years. The instructors make the instruction fun while they evaluate every stroke. I particularly like the all inclusive style where you don’t have to worry about where to eat after a hard day on the courts.
Just returned from another wonderful weekend at Newk’s. Many thanks to our instructors Sal, Kuda, Adrian & Trevor. Had a great time & learned a lot.
We just completed an adult clinic week at Newk’s Tennis Ranch. This was our fourth visit to the Ranch and we had another great week. The clinic directors are personable, knowledgeable, and sincere in their efforts to make every guest feel comfortable and important.The drills have good variety and are skill and game specific. The atmosphere at the Ranch is great. The food is exceptional and healthly! The evening activities promote comraderie amoung guests and provide lots of fun entertainment. A perfect five day getaway that promotes fitness, tennis, and well being.
I recently attended the weekday adult camp. The level of instruction was great. Accomodations were quite comfortable, but not fancy – which is what I expected, given the price. The food was great, and the atmosphere was laid back and welcoming. Great value considering its essentially an ‘all inclusive’ tennis vacation.
Great Staff who makes you feel welcome. Had a blast- laughed a lot and enjoyed a weekend of fun tennis! Can’t wait to go again!
My wife and I are going back. I don’t know if it was the setting, the food, the hospitality, the staff or the tennis – or a unique combination them all but not only was this a great tennis experience, it was just a fun experience. We learned a lot and played a lot. We’re going back.
Thought the camp was awesome and plan on going back this summer. Tons of tennis and good company. The pros work you silly during the day and then hang with you at night -good comraderie.. Also, we had a small group which is typical.. not lost in a crowd, they get to know you even over a weekend.
Not fancy on accomodations but it was fine. food was good and overall what you get for the money is a good value. Strength – you hit a ton of balls. Weakness – the rooms. OH, and get a massage! The lady that comes and does them is excellent!
Excellent pro’s gave lively lessons, supervised play, and Davis Cup type fun event competitions. What sets this apart from other resorts with great instructors is the fun does not stay on the court. The pro’s bond with the campers, eating meals sharing stories and the ever present jokes. In the end, your game improves dramatically and you have a new extended family with both the pros and the other campers.
Food is excellent and family style, evening entertainment further bonds the group together lead again by the pro’s. The Pro’s are as passionate on court getting to know the individual and how to help improve their game. The facilities are rustic and not well sound-proofed, but in the 3 camps we’ve attended, it has not been an issue as by the time you retire to the condo’s you’ve had a full day and are ready for bed.
I visited Newk’s (for the 2nd time) for an adult tennis weekend in February 2009 with my tennis team. I loved the way the weekend was all-inclusive. After we got there, we didn’t need to leave. There were plenty of pros, and we drilled with no more than 5 on a court. I recommend coming to Newk’s in pairs, however, because so many of the drills and live ball work requires either 2 or 4 players. The party Saturday night was a lot of fun, but since we came without husbands, it was too uncomfortable to join in the dancing.
Strengths: Excellent pro-staff, good student to pro ratio, good overall program, not overwhelming for a weekend tennis event. Weaknesses: Perhaps other ways to wind down other than drinking 😉
This was my first time traveling with my club as the assistant pro. I can rest assure that myself, along with all those who traveled with me plan on going back next year; in fact, only a few days after leaving we have begun booking our trip for next year!
The staff was exceptional! Not just on the court, but off the court as well! Most facilities put all their work into pleasing people with tennis only, but Sal was a trooper! How many places can you say that there was six hours of tennis with an instructor and then that very instructor went out to dinner, to a dance hall, and then stayed up until 6:30 in the morning watching a grand slam final with you?! Not to mention they woke up in the morning two and a half hours later and still exploded with energy and enthusiasm on the court!
Worth every penny and more!
Newks is AWESOME and I have been going for almost 10 years. It just gets better and better.If what you want is tennis then this is the place you need to go.
This is a great place to visit. LOTS of good instruction and a lot of fun!
The top reason I would recommend John Newcombe’s Tennis Ranch to friends is because of the exceptional instructors. They were energetic, engaged and made sure each guest got specific and personal attention and instruction. I can’t wait for my next trip. If you’re thinking of going to a tennis camp, make Newks your choice.
This is an amazing camp both on and off the court no matter what your age is! You will receive excellent instruction while having a great time on the court. The Pro’s are very engaging and the food is exceptional. Had a blast every night when I wasnt playing tennis!
Great Value! Sal and Chris work really hard to improve your game and offer friendly advice at all times. It is the perfect family atmosphere with a terrific juniors camp (Top Guns). It was mostly a 4:1 ratio during the Xmas-New Years week, but had a good range of players 3.5-4.5 NTRP. The food was well prepared and accommodations were comfortable.
There is no other place my family would spend the last week of the year than at Newks! We just came back from our 4th visit to the Ranch and as usual, it was terrific! There are no words to adequately describe the high quality of instructions, the professionalism of the Pros, the fun atmosphere and the helpfulness of the staff. Great tennis, lots of fun memories. Thanks, guys!
I just attended Newk’s adult camp and my two boys attended the kids camp. I am a 5.0 plus player and my kids play Sectional and National tournaments. We had a great time and got great instruction. Chris and Sal made every minute fun and “Fossil” Phil was like one of the kids pushing them and having fun at the same time. The food was great and the price was reasonable. I would highly recommend attending.