Though upstaged by the high-profile Sea Pines Racquet Club in another part of the development, the South Beach Racquet Club deserves consideration, especially if you simply love to play. Its welcoming clubhouse resembles a Lowcountry cottage, with a porch that wraps around two sides. Rocking chairs on the porch, which overlooks Court 1, a 1,000-squarefoot deck at one end, and free morning coffee (except in summer) all encourage people to drop by and hang around. “Many of our members have their own rocking chair,” notes Don Sigmon, who owns and operates the club with his wife Rachel. Those avid members account for much of the activity; however everyone is welcome, whether or not they’re staying within the resort. Or as Sigmon puts it: “To play here you need to like tennis and enjoy having a good time.”
The club is just a few steps from the shops, restaurants, and watersports center at South Beach Marina and about 300 yards from the beach. Bicycles can be rented at the racquet club, and at the end of the day lots of people wander over to the Salty Dog Cafe, a favorite place for beverages and snacks.
Tennis Staff: Owners Don and Rachel Sigmon take an active part in the club’s operation. The very popular Brian Kiggins, who had been head pro in the past, has returned after a stint at another Hilton Head Island resort, this time as Director of Tennis.
Tennis Programs: Apart from private lessons, South Beach runs stroke-of-the-day clinics for adults and, in summer, a variety of clinics for children (ages 5-8), pre-teens, and teens. With roughly 175 members—about half of them full-time residents—to draw on, the staff can often put together competitive matches for anyone who asks. Another way to meet players—apart from just dropping by—is to attend one of the twice-weekly round robins, which attract anywhere from a few to 16 players. Beyond that there are adult clinics and drills and several junior sessions (by age or ability) every Monday through Friday.
Court Complex: South Beach has 13 clay courts, six of them in a cluster anchored by the clubhouse and another seven among the trees across the road. Fees are $20/hour walk-in, $25 with a reservation (although those who rent through certain agencies get free or discounted rates—check with the pro shop for up-to-date information).
223 Reviews on “South Beach Racquet Club”
Brian and Jim were wonderful! Funny and professional. Our tennis group learned great strategies and had fun while doing it!! 5 Stars! (Visited in January 2020 and luckily also had amazing weather in the 70s!)
Seven 3.5 level Players enjoyed 3 days of 2 hour lessons from Head Pro Brian, and Coach Jim recently! Both instructors put each player at ease with their humor and wit. Both coaches were excellent at sharing both individual and doubles strategies! Each player felt she received high quality instruction, as well as astute correction of individual errors. The friendly atmosphere in the Pro Shop, and the overall welcoming ambiance makes SBRC a great place for a team!
I am a strong 4.5 player, and I had a great lesson with Scott Clements. He gave me some very helpful advice on my ground strokes and volleys. The pro shop is well stocked with clothes and shoes, and the staff were friendly. Owner Rachel Sigmon and director Brian Kiggans were warm and welcoming. The courts and facility are very nice, and the club is located nearby the Salty Dog Cafe. If you get the chance, try biking to the club along the beautiful, wide and flat and hard beach — an unforgettable experience.
This was my first experience with a tennis camp week with friends. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the beautiful clay courts at South Beach Racquet Club. The courts were very well maintained, and they had everything oncourt that we may need including towels, drinks and sunscreen. The instructors were friendly, enthusiastic and kept us moving at a great pace. It’s been 20+ years since I have visited HHI, and I had forgotten about its charm and beauty! So many delicious restaurants! It’s a great location for a tennis vacation!
Just spent a great week at South Beach Racquet Club on HH Island this past week. What tremendous experience. Our group of 50 to 70 year old men and women tennis players has been doing an annual event In HH for over 20 years. Last year was our first at SBRQ and we are glad we returned and are about to book for 2020. Don and Rachel’s staff are very helpful and friendly. The har-tru courts are well maintained and easy on the body. The clubhouse has multiple viewing porches to watch matches while you are taking a break. The drills are well attended and seem to be well led. Clubhouse has everything you need for a day or week of playing tennis.
Had a superb experience at SBRC! I loved the tennis and the staff was outstanding and helpful on improving my game. Even had the most fun learning and competing on my new best sport “Pickleball”…. Everyone should visit this Club.
Best tennis and pickle ball courts. Great friendly and extremly knowledgeable staff. We love this place and come back often as we are from NJ. We give South Beach 5 stars and highly recommend to all. There pro shop is awesome as well.
This is a fantastic tennis club in an amazing area. I took a clinic with their pro, Brian this morning and it was very insightful. We played pickle ball afterwards and had a great time. I highly recommend this club to anyone who is coming into the Hilton head Island area.
I would highly recommend South Beach raquet club. The pickle ball clinic was great. The courts here are extremely well kept. I can’t say enough good things about the owners and staff here. They were so helpful and even came out to give us a few pointers. We will definitely be frequents here.
South Beach Racquet Club is 13 court facility in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The facility offers many opportunities to learn and play tennis in a very friendly atmosphere for visitors and residents!
The tennis facility in Sea Pines , Hilton Head Island at South Beach provides vacationers with excellently groomed courts and a friendly and helpful staff . Despite being a private club for residents , they go out of their way to provide outsiders with court time . They have an excellent line of tennis apparel unlike we see at home ( Sea Colony tennis club in Southern Delaware). Plan to return for three weeks next March. Rachel in the pro shop is always willing to make your stay enjoyable.
We have been staying in Hilton Head for a month and tennis is our favorite recreational activity. We have been so happy with discovering SBRC and love it. The staff is so friendly and actively help place you in matches, clinics and/or round robins-whatever your preference. With a warm and accommodating welcome, we were made to feel right at home. The setting and facilities are great! Intimate, inviting, and walk right next door to shops, restaurants and the waterfront. Can’t wait to return.
My team and I love this camp. We have been doing a long weekend every summer, for 4 seasons now! The format and instruction is fantastic. The pros are the best!!!
Took a couple of lessons while on vacation in Hilton Head. Facilities at South Beach Racquet Club where good, but the best part was really the instructor and the atmosphere. Lot of clinics going on. But I had a couple of one-on-one lessons with instructor Angela and they were really fantastic. She had great skills and quickly figured out how to transmit some of that to me. Can’t wait to get back home put those learnings into practice.
Excellent program for years..still going strong. Angela Donoslovic-Skala is an excellent instructor. Gives Great i struction easily transferable to improve intermediate game.
Had literally the best volley lesson EVER with Angela Donoslovic-Skala while at South Beach Rqcquet Club in Sea Pines, HHI. She’s technical but explains in a very clear way. Cannot believe I had never heard some of the pointers before! I’ve been playing tennis 30 years!
We had a fantastic time at South Beach Tennis Club. The place is beautiful and the staff is great! They worked with both my husband and me to make our games better. I didn’t think I could get rid of some of my bad habits! Our friends noticed the difference when we got back home. Now they are planning to go on our next visit.
Brian is the very best Tennis Pro I have ever worked with and I have been playing tennis for 25 years…
Love the resort…I followed the Head Coach/ Director,Brian there. Couldn’t be happier with him and his new place of employment
I travel from Canada to Hiltonhead for 10 days and really enjoy south beach because of the fantastic Tennis and social community. I play in the Billy Bob Century tournament Every year and it is a really well ran and very organized event! The staff and the tennis director do a fantastic job! I always look forward to my Hiltonhead trip every year as it definitely one of the highlights of my calendar year!
Great tennis facility, the courts are well kept and the clinics and one on one lessons are well run. The head tennis Pro is excellent and engaging. A great tennis experience.
South Beach Tennis and Racquet Club is a first class club with a low key and friendly atmosphere..The owners ,Rachel and Don Sigmon take a active roll in running the club and playing in all the excellent tournaments. The Pro staff are excellent ,ready to provide individual lessons as well as group tutoring . As a club member there are many social get togethers and some excellent tennis tournaments . if you are looking for a superb resort to visit and you like playing tennis ,South Beach tennis and Rac.quet Club ,Hilton Head S.C. is the place for you.You will not be disappointed!!!
Amazing tennis instruction. Fun, energetic, great doubles strategy. Perfect for a group or team.
Best training and strategy for tennis by the Director of tennis Brian Kiggans. I have returned to Brian for the last three years and always come out a better rounded player. His staff that assist is excellent also. Love love love taking lessons and drills. See you next year!
Head Pro Brian and his staff are consumate professionals that cater to your every need to work on your tennis game. The pro shop staff are very helpful with the merchandise and with the checking in process. We have an annual group that averages about 12 ladies varying in ranges from 3.5-4.5. We literally followed Brain to Southbeach from Palmetto Dunes to Southbeach because he is THAT good! Brian has assistants that help keep the drills with instruction moving at a fast pace. No more than 4 ladies are on per court keeping the flow moving in a game like pace. Our group come from all areas of the country annually and will continue to work with Brian, his asst pros and staff for as long as we can all swing a racquet. The clay courts are in fabulous condition and the location is easy to reach within anywhere within Hilton Head Island. I HIGHLY recommend Southbeach Racquet Club and will be back again next year!
What a great experience! Brian made sure everything ran smoothly. We all had a great time!
This one of the most fun and friendly tennis facilities around. Lots of options for “Serious Fun”(their motto) from USTA Leagues, local club teams and tennis socials among club members. Staff is great, pro is one of the best instructors for both double teams and individual skill development. Seems like weekly and seasonal visitors are as welcome as the resident members.
Friends, South Beach Racquet Club is best! So many courts, and all Har Tru. Instructors great and can do private or enjoy one of the varied ,daily stroke of the day. They take tennis serious, but also cherish having fun! Check their schedule as they often have mini events that are fun to watch or participate. They have loaner racquets and great pro shop whether you “want” or “need” that new tennis item. A bonus is that they are only bike rental in the south end, so they can provide you with a healthy transportation to go and come to courts, ride on beach, etc. They deliver and pick-up bikes to your house/condo, so first day there you can ride your bike to tennis center.The best part of SBRC are the owners, Don & Rachel. Go to Hilton Head, South Beach Racquet Club, and they will give you the best and most fun tennis experience!
Great fun! Great tennis! Clay courts are easy on the body. The locals welcome visitors to sub in their regular groups. Since it is an outdoor facility, we do not like rain during the day. There are competitive groups and just for fun groups.
The best kept secret in all of Hilton Head Island, this tennis facility has the very best doubles Pro, Brian Kiggins! The clothing selection is phenomenal and offers wonderfully reduced items at great prices. The courts are well maintained and the owners, Don and Rachel Sigmon are completely hands on. They have created a family fantastic tennis resort with incredible amenities, including bike rentals, lighted courts, terrific clinics and game matching services. Their Staff are like family members and have all been employed at SBRC for many years. They go out of their way to accommodate players and their families!
Any time I call I get a friendly, helpful voice. The clubhouse has just been renovated and looks amazing. The courts are some of the best I’ve ever played…they are maintained beautifully. I would recommend this tennis center to anyone!
Wow! What a fabulous week of tennis with Brian K., the head pro, and staff. They were all knowledgeable and made sure everyone in our big group was accommodated. Learned a lot and made lasting memories
Still one of the best in my view! Staff is outstanding and very, very helpful. Owners Don/Rachel make you feel comfortable. Brian Kiggins as the Director of Tennis and his staff provide the insights required to make you a better player (but you have to implement what you are taught;-) Top notch!!
Excellent tennis site. Wonderful courts, wonderful ambiance. The staff is super friendly and knows all the regulars by name. They go out of their way to accommodate our needs, to arrange matches, and to set up special events such as the annual “Davis Cup” and the BillyBob Century Cup. I have played here about 12-14 hours a week from January through April the last few years. We have decided to buy a condo at Sea Pines resort on Hilton Head Island within 200 meters of South Beach largely because of this tennis center. I will now be here about 7 months a year and play roughly 200 times a year here. I give them my highest rating.
Great tennis program and wonderful staff.
I loved this place ! I had heard all good things about it but hadn’t had the opportunity to visit until this year. The staff was accommodating for all my needs for instruction and play time. They helped with a great instructor and I loved the help I got in the pro shop! Who knew that I was able to rent a bike too and see the beautiful island!
Brian Kiggans is the best! So helpful and fun to be around. Club has programs for all ages and abilities, tourists and the locals. Can also set up match play on their beautifully maintained clay courts. The setting is wonderful, with South Beach Marina as a backdrop (Salty Dog Cafe!!). The multitude of accommodations make this a wonderful location. You can bike everywhere, including to your tennis lesson. Use the bike ride as your warmup!
This is a great club. Will visit again next time in Hilton Head.
My experience with South Beach Racquet club was very friendly and professional. I truly enjoyed my lesson with Angela Donoslovic-Skala. I have had many lessons in the past but she is gifted in her ability to instill confidence at the same time explain technique in a way that you can easily remember and build on in the future. Thanks!!!! So much! Treva Horner
Wife and I soent a wonderful week on sea pines and spent many enjoyable hours at the south beach tacquet club. The staff was very helpful and very outgoing. The head pro, mr. Kiggans was a fantastic teacher. Took a couple private hitting leasons and had a tremendous time. Would recommend sbr to anyone looking for a gteat tennis environment but very laid back as well.
Great fun. Great tennis. Great staff.
Had a great lesson with Director of Tennis, Brian Kiggans. Truly. One of the best lessons I have ever had. Wanted to tune-up my backhand drive and slice. Brian was able to immediately diagnose some aspects of the stroke I had become careless with and worked with me to improve both shots. Brian is very professional, yet also displays a great sense of humor. Everybody at South Beach Raquet Club has been very friendly and helpful during my stay at South Beach in Sea Pines.
I have tried many tennis resorts on the east coast and have final settled on South Beach. There is so much to do here after a long day of lessons. My game has improved so much in the last several years and I attribute it all to Brian Kiggans and the tennis team at South Beach. The instructions are Spot on. We also love hanging out for lunch or a drink at he Salty Dog. I eat the Buffalo Shrimp and have a margarita on the rocks. I can’t wait to get back to HHI. Bike riding, walking, tennis . Nothing like kicking the season off with a week of lessons. We live in Central Pa and this really gives us a break from the weather and whips me back in shape. South Beach We will be back!
We have played and taken lessons at South Beach Racquet Club for more than 10 years. It is a wonderful facility with a welcoming, friendly staff and very skilled instructors. This year,. I attended a daily stroke and drill clinic for a week and took a lesson , both the clinic and lesson, from Angela. Not only was she cheerful and encouraging, she quickly identified important aspects of my game that needed work and how to fix the problems. I am very pleased with the results.
This will be year #15 visiting SBRC and I can tell you from year #1 we get treated like a family member. From top to bottom everyone at SBRC goes out of their way to accommodate you and make you feel right at home. This is truly a hidden gem in South Carolina. Highly recommended.
Great Club, Great People, excellent clay courts!
This is my second visit to Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island where South Beach Racquet Club is located. I loved it the first time and loved it more the second. The staff and instructors are all wonderful. I had private lessons with both Angela Donoslovic-Skala and Brian Kiggins – both excellent! Angela also ran the week-long tennis clinic that I signed up for. She is a great teacher: patient and fun! She also is able to quickly assess skill levels and adjust clinics to meet everyone’s needs. I highly recommend South Beach Racquet Club and look forward to returning next year….if not sooner. Steve S (from Toronto, Canada)
Great setup and staff – right in the heart of Sea Pines Resort. Great courts, teaching staffing and friendly service. Very family friendly and accommodating.
very friendly professionals
I am a snowboarder and came to Stratton with some friends this past January. I attended the morning tennis clinics when it was too cold to be on the mountain. I’m not much of a tennis player but I borrowed a racket, and our pro, made my experience so fun! He was very patient with us and I was able to learn so much! Definitely plan on coming back with my tennis racket next time I’m go to Stratton