Why You Need To Restrict Black Soles On Squash Courts

As with any sport, the appropriate footwear must be worn when playing squash - but it’s important that players wear shoes that protect their feet and provide them with adequate support but which don’t compromise the quality of the squash court itself.

As the court owner, it is your responsibility to enforce strict rules where footwear is concerned if you don’t want to have to deal with a damaged court sooner rather than later.

Remind those using the facilities that squash shoes should not have black soles, as these can leave black marks on the surface of the court and it can be difficult, if not impossible, to remove them.

It’s also important that all shoes are non-marking in general and are never worn outside if you want to keep your court in pristine condition.

Non-marking shoes can have black soles and this can be a little confusing, but players can test to see if their shoes will affect the court surface by rubbing the sole firmly across some plain white paper. If any scuff marks appear, the shoes would not be appropriate for use on squash courts.

Consider asking players to ensure that they always use the appropriate footwear and that they do not walk from the car to the court in the shoes they intend to play in. If they pick up grit from the road, this can leave marks and scratches on the court surface, as well as potentially making it slippery - and, thus, more dangerous to play on.

Of course, scuffs, marks and stains will likely appear as time goes on, but you can tackle most of these with a damp cloth or mild solvent. Avoid using abrasive cleaners, as these can damage the surface of the court.

Professional inspection and squash court maintenance work is advisable on a regular basis to keep your courts in fine working order. If you’d like to find out more about such services, get in touch with the Premier Courts team today.