Non-Marking Shoes
It’s not just about black scuff marks. The wrong shoes act like sandpaper on the court surface.
❌ Aggressive Treads: Running and cross-training shoes have deep, jagged treads (lugs). These chew up the paint and grit surface with every step.
❌ Black Soles: Many general sneakers use carbon rubber in the soles, leaving black streaks that are extremely difficult to remove.
❌ White Rubber Bands (e.g. Vans): Lately, we are seeing a lot of white streak marks on the court. This is often caused by casual shoes (like Vans) which have a thick white rubber band around the bottom. That soft rubber acts like an eraser, leaving stubborn white smears on the court surface.
If you see your shoes leave marks on the court, you should stop play and get the proper equipment.
Proper tennis shoes are designed differently. They have flat, smooth patterns (like herringbone) that provide grip without abrasion.
- Non-Marking Rubber: They use specific compounds (often white or clear) that don't transfer color to the court.
- Court Preservation: The smoother sole glides over the surface rather than digging into it.
- Bonus - Your Ankles: Tennis shoes are built for lateral (side-to-side) movement. Running shoes are built for moving forward. Wearing tennis shoes prevents rolled ankles!
Not sure if your shoes are safe? Here are two quick ways to check:
Flip the shoe over. Most court-safe shoes will have the words "Non-Marking" or "Marque Pas" stamped directly into the rubber sole.
Take a piece of white paper, place it on the floor, and rub the heel of your shoe vigorously against it. If it leaves a colored scuff mark on the paper, it will do the same to our courts!
📄 Please refer to the general non-marking shoe guide attached to this message for a visual checklist.
Thank you for helping us keep Eldoraigne Tennis Club in top shape!