Croquet

Croquet isn’t just one game but a family of games played with mallets, balls and hoops. The two main types played in tournaments internationally are Association Croquet (AC) and Golf Croquet (GC). Short Croquet (SC) is a version of AC which is often played at interclub team matches using a half sized court and a shorter time limit (usually 90 minutes).

Each game has different rules and tactics, but uses the same equipment (hoops, post, balls and mallets) and has the same basic objective of getting a ball to go through hoops in a specific sequence. In all games the Red and Yellow balls play against the Blue and Black, either as doubles, in which each of the four players has one ball, or singles where each player has both balls We encourage newcomers to croquet to get to grips with both GC and SC to discover any preference. All games have a handicap system which enables meaningful and competitive play between players of quite different abilities, which also adds an extra layer of strategy.

Golf Croquet

GC is a more recent introduction, a faster game with simpler rules which are easy to learn and has a greater emphasis on pure ball skill. Each turn consists of a single stroke and the balls are played in strict sequence: Blue, Red, Black, Yellow, and then back to Blue again. Each hoop is a contest in its own right ... the side whose ball first scores it gets a point and then all balls immediately go on to try and run the next hoop in order. As soon as one side has scored the agreed number of points (hoops), normally 7, the game ends.

Association Croquet

AC is more like snooker in structure, in that a turn can consist of more than one successful stroke, in which several hoops can be run. At the start of a turn, you choose which of your two balls to play with for the whole of that turn. You are allowed just one stroke initially, but can earn extra strokes either by running your next hoop (for one extra stroke), or hitting your ball onto another (“making a roquet”) earning two extra strokes. For the first of your two extra strokes you pick up your own ball, place it touching the one it hit (wherever it stopped), and hit your own ball in any direction, potentially getting both balls into more favourable positions. The second extra stroke is normal, and can be used to hit another ball or to run a hoop to keep the break going. A good player can make many strokes and score many hoops in one turn. The winner is the first side to get both of its balls round the course of hoops and hit the peg in the centre of the lawn.

Short Croquet

SC is a recently introduced version of AC, normally played on a half court, lasting only 90 minutes or less which is even more intriguingly fun and strategic. As in AC, it uses a handicap system to allow a preset number of free turns for weaker players, enabling them to challenge better players with a fairer chance of winning. The smaller court is faster and easier to play, skill wise.

The courts can be set up to play either Association Croquet or Golf Croquet, whichever you decide. The suggestion is that most new or inexperienced players start by playing Golf Croquet which is useful for learning stroke play. It is usually a fast and exhilarating game that is played to national competition standards. The use of a handicapping system makes mixed ability games entirely possible. The layout for all croquet games on either half courts or the full court is the same and is detailed in this illustration. The court size can be reduced maintaining the proportions of five units and to a width of four units. The red lines show the full AC game hoop order.

Instruction and coaching:

We offer a taster session for free with informal instruction for those interested in joining the Club. Opportunities for instruction for members are available on the mix-in days. The Croquet England website has some excellent details on how to play each game and informative videos that may be useful.

TOP TIP!! Don’t get too mesmerised by words, expressions or complex details of either Association Croquet or Golf Croquet, before you start to play. You really will be amazed at how easy it is to understand the essential rules when we play.