Updated October 2026. Tennis City SF › San Francisco Tennis Guides
You can rent a tennis ball machine at Goldman Tennis Center, the city’s public tennis center in Golden Gate Park. Rentals are 50 minutes, mornings and early afternoons when courts are free and the weather allows, for about $20 to $22 for SF residents and $25 to $28 for non-residents (Goldman’s own pages list two different prices). Book through CourtReserve or by calling 415-581-2540.
Goldman ball machine rental
| Detail | What Goldman lists |
|---|---|
| Price, ball machine page | $20 resident, $25 non-resident |
| Price, court fee table | $22 resident, $28 non-resident |
| Length | 50 minutes, subject to availability |
| When | Mornings and early afternoons, when court space is open and weather permits |
| How to book | CourtReserve, or 415-581-2540 |
| Cancellation | 4 hours ahead, or reservation privileges may be suspended |
The ball machine page doesn’t say whether a court fee is added. Ask when you book, and confirm the price, since the two Goldman pages differ. Goldman is open 7am to 10pm, with 16 lighted courts, at 50 Bowling Green Drive. More on the center at Goldman Tennis Center.
Picking a time
- Weekday mornings: the machine is offered in mornings and early afternoons, which overlaps Goldman’s non-prime court hours (Monday to Friday, 7am to 3pm).
- Weather: rentals depend on the weather, and Goldman credits court time interrupted by rain. Check the morning forecast on tennis weather by month and wind and fog.
- Cancel early: the 4-hour cancellation rule applies, and missed reservations can cost you booking privileges.
Ball machines on Rec & Park courts
Rec & Park’s booking and walk-up pages don’t say whether you may bring your own ball machine to a public court. What they do say:
- rec.us reservations ($5 per court per hour) are for individual play only.
- Walk-up courts limit play to one set or 30 minutes of rallying when others are waiting.
- Walk-up rules allow at most two balls per court.
If you plan to bring a machine, ask Rec & Park first at [email protected] or its main office, 415-831-2700.
Other ways to practice alone
| Option | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Practice wall | Alice Marble Courts, Greenwich and Hyde (Russian Hill) | No lights, no restrooms |
| Backboard | Jose Coronado Playground, 21st and Folsom (Mission) | Lighted |
| Serve practice | A reserved rec.us court | 90-minute slots on most courts |
Rec & Park limits backboard use to 20 minutes when others are waiting. Details are on hitting walls.
A sample 50-minute session
Tip: 50 minutes goes quickly, so plan the session before you arrive. One way to split it:
- 10 minutes of forehands and backhands at a moderate pace to warm up.
- 15 minutes on the one stroke you most want to fix.
- 15 minutes moving side to side, alternating forehand and backhand.
- 10 minutes of volleys or overheads at the net.
When you want a live opponent instead, Goldman’s drop-in round robins are on drop-in tennis, and a hitting partner is easiest to find with a short, specific post in the Slack group.
FAQ
Where can I rent a tennis ball machine in San Francisco?
At Goldman Tennis Center in Golden Gate Park, through CourtReserve or at 415-581-2540.
How much is a ball machine at Goldman?
Goldman lists $20 resident and $25 non-resident on its ball machine page, and $22 and $28 in its fee table. Confirm when you book.
Can I use a ball machine on a city court?
Rec & Park’s court pages don’t address it. Ask at [email protected] before you bring one.
Source: Goldman ball machine rental, Goldman court policies, SF Rec & Park booking rules, Walk-Up Tennis Court Rules, Tennis Court Directory, checked October 2026.
Related guides
- Goldman Tennis Center: Fees, Booking and Tips
- Tennis Hitting Walls and Backboards in San Francisco
- Keeping Up Your Tennis Training in San Francisco
- Best Tennis Courts for Beginners in San Francisco
Looking for someone to play with? Join nearly 1,800 San Francisco players in the Tennis City SF Slack group and post a day, time and court at your NTRP level.