Golf Croquet - The game and how it is played

Golf Croquet is a game in itself, completely separate from Association Croquet. Although it has a long history, it has experienced a recent resurgence of interest at all levels.

The basics of the game

As in Association Croquet the blue and black balls play against red and yellow (if you are using secondary colours then it is green and brown, against pink and white). Games can either be singles or doubles. If it is doubles then each of the two partners has one ball only.

From within a yard of the 4th corner each ball is played into the game in colour sequence as shown on the centre peg (blue, red, black, and then yellow). Each person has only the one stroke in each turn.

Everyone contests the same hoop (starting with hoop 1) and a point is scored for the side whose ball first runs the hoop in order. Once scored, everyone contests the 2nd hoop in order and so on until one side wins the majority of available points (Usually the first side to score 7 of a possible 13 points is declared the winner).To run a hoop in order means to run it in the correct direction. The normal hoop order and direction applies. The order and direction that hoops are played are shown in the court diagram below.

It is not necessary for a ball to go through a hoop in one shot. Sticking in the jaws is O.K.until the next turn for that ball, BUT an opponent is allowed to knock the ball out. If the ball is knocked through the hoop by an opponent, the opponent gives the first player the point.

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The Lawn: a full-size lawn is 35 by 28 yards. Size can vary, especially for garden croquet, but it is a good idea to keep the 5:4 ratio.

Who can play? Everyone. It's a sport suitable for all ages and both sexes and one of the few sports that men and women can play on equal terms. It has a really good handicapping system which , more than any other sport, is a genuine leveller. A weaker player can play an international and have an equal chance of winning.

What does it cost? Many clubs offer beginners provisional membership and coaching to introduce potential members to the sport and allow then to see if they enjoy the social and sporting aspects of croquet. You must have flat-soled shoes and eventually your own mallet. Beginners are encouraged to borrow club mallets for the first season so that when buying their own they will know the weight and dimensions to suite them. This is the only real expense  apart from the club subscription. 

What to do next? Visit the Clubs & Contacts page to get in touch with a club nearest you. You'll find additional information about how to play croquet on the coaching and links pages.

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