Division Size
We know how important good drive times are to our members. To optimize driving, Ultimate Tennis uses "flexible division sizes" which can range from 4-14 players. By varying the number of people in each division we can dramatically reduce drive times for our members by keeping players from the same part of town in the same division. Because all players must play an equal number of matches, in smaller divisions there will be some players you play twice. In larger divisions there will be some players you don't play.
Strength of Schedule
There are two primary factors that affect your strength of schedule, the "quality of the rating system" and "players or teams in your division". Ultimate Tennis has a very accurate rating system which nearly eliminates the problem of players competing out of level found in most other leagues. The second factor, "Who's in your division" is the simple "geography" of where you live and is purely the luck of the draw. These slight variances are true of all recreational and professional leagues and should be expected.
Note: The number of players in your division may "appear" affect your strength of schedule but it does not. It is the "geography" not "division size" that determines schedule strength. Even if all divisions were the same size, geography would dictate that some divisions would be stronger than others. When you sign up for the league, you are really playing an "assigned a schedule". This assigned schedule will be slightly harder or easier when compared to other members both inside and outside of your division. The only difference is that the strength of your schedule is more "apparent" when compared to players within your division because you regularly review their match results.
Remember the benefit of "flexible division sizes" is that it places you in the absolute best possible playing division. You will experience not only a better variety of players but also dramatically reduced drive times.
Division Location
We use a GPS based sorting system to create your schedule. Players are grouped into divisions based on skill levels and the zip code of their chosen home facility. With over 20,000 players, Ultimate Tennis members enjoy drive times that average 50% less than in other leagues. Each season as our membership grows, it produces tighter groupings and shorter drives. Naturally, players at higher levels or more recently formed leagues will have longer than average drive times.
Each season, players should expect to be playing out of the same general area but not necessarily in the same exact division or against the same players. This variance is normal and to be expected. Members sometimes request to play in the same, or in a different division than their friends. Please note, with thousands of players in the league, we can not accept personal requests.