Bluechalice said:
I went to San Gabriel to check it out last week though...it seems really messy and dark...dont know maybe just me...but there was people everywhere...like almost if you dont know anyone you probably cant play with them...like they all will just play with the people that live there...hey what you mean clicky?...I really cant wait to play...I like to play fast and powerful games...
What is seen as cliquiness is pretty much the same everywhere. It's not that people are unsocial, it's that players generally want to play with others about their own skill level. If they don't know your skill level, they may be reluctant to let you in because they want a competitive game. What sometimes happens is that they will have only three and if you look like you can play decently, they'll invite you in so they can get a game.
If it's busy there, they have a system that should solve the problem of getting on the court. You write your name on a tag and hang it on one of four hooks as next up, or second up, on the board next to a particular court. The group on the court gets two games and they're off. When your group is up to play, you're entitled to be on that court. It's the best system I've seen around.
Because players tend to congregate according to levels of play, it's best to choose one of the courts where you best fit in. If you go there at night, the A-B players mostly use the front two courts by the pro shop, the C-D players use the four courts on the other side of the wall towards the street, and the D-novice players generally use one of the four courts in the back of the building where the private lessons are given.
As with anywhere, if you arrive and nobody invites you in, if there's an open court, find a player who is sitting and ask if he or she would like to hit. Most people would rather hit than sit, even if they are waiting for a particular game. Asking to hit requires no commitment to a game, but it gives others a chance to see some of your play, and gets you warmed up and more comfortable. If the other person doesn't accept your request, don't take it personally. Go out to the open court and practice serves or footwork. Again it shows others something about your skill level, and usually, someone wanting to play will eventually come over and ask to hit. If you're on that court, they have to come to you if they want to play.
You said it seemed dark. During off-hours when it's generally for members only, the lights over the courts are on timers and turn off after a while, so only the courts in use are lighted. Members can turn on the lights with their cards.
Messy? Well, there are a lot of used birds laying around, and some people don't throw their trash away.
. If you approach a group, it's advisable to be on your best behaviour and politely ask them for a game. It's their inherent rights to refuse you and leave you to your own device, but most of the time people will accomodate you a game or two. 