The squash court floor is unfinished wood. The unfinished wood improves traction and helps the ball bounce up. Because it is unfinished, the floor is susceptible to staining (for example, from water or another liquid spilled on court) and marking from the soles of most shoes.

For this reason, there are three rules.

1. On court, you must wear non-marking court shoes (that is, with gum rubber soles or other soles that are will not mark an unfinished wooden floor). For more information, see ussquash.org/squash-equipment/.
2. Your court shoes must be only worn on court or in the carpeted area behind the glass back wall to avoid tracking dirt onto the court. There is a carpeted area and a bench with shoe cubbies outside the squash court area at the South YMCA where you should change from street shoes or boots into court shoes, leaving the street footwear in a cubby.
3. No beverages, other liquids or food of any kind are ever allowed on court!