Prince's Court, McLean

Originally arising in medieval France, court tennis—otherwise known as "real tennis" (which means "royal tennis")—is the ancestor of all modern racket games. One of only 11 court-tennis locations in the United States, Prince's Court lets sportsmen and -women rediscover the classic sport of kings. In private lessons, instructors go over the niceties of the highly strategic game, covering such unusual rules as service, which must bounce off an overhang known as the penthouse. Members can also rent the asymmetric rackets until they purchase their own and take advantage of club matchmaking, pairing them against opponents of similar skill.