A simple introduction

Golf Croquet, or “GC” for short, used to be the poor relation, played mainly as an introduction to Association croquet. It is easy to learn and quick to play. During a game it is sometimes considered more sociable as, unlike Association croquet, all the players are on the lawn at the same time.

In recent years Golf Croquet has been actively promoted in its own right, and there are now many more tournaments and national club competitions. As a result it has become much more popular, and this has resulted in a healthy increase in membership for many clubs.

Like Association Croquet, the game is played with two sides and four balls, Blue and Black versus Red and Yellow. However, Golf Croquet is a version of croquet in which each turn consists of a single shot. The court size and set up is the same as for Association Croquet, but players take turns in strict colour sequence: Blue, then Red, then Black, Yellow and then back to Blue again etc.

Play progresses through the same 12 hoop sequence as Association Croquet. First, all four balls attempt to get through Hoop 1. As soon as one ball is successful, that side scores a point, and attention passes to the next hoop in the sequence. (The other 3 balls do not need to go through the first hoop once one has done so.) The coloured peg in the middle of the lawn is purely an obstacle in golf croquet and does not form part of the scoring. However, the colours on the peg are a useful reminder of the sequence in which players must take turns.

The first side to seven points is the winner. If the scores are level at 6-6 (after 12 hoops in level play) the players will contest the third hoop for a second time as a golden hoop tie breaker and whoever gets through this hoop first wins the game.

In level play, both sides start on a score of zero. In handicap play, the handicapping system ensures that players of different skill levels can have a fair game with an equal chance of winning. A lower handicap indicates a stronger player. The difference between the handicaps of each side determines a non-zero-zero starting score that gives an advantage to the (higher handicapped) weaker player e.g. by starting on a score of 2, they only need to score 5 actual points to reach the winning score of 7 whereas their opponent starting on zero will still need to score the full 7 points.

Accurate striking of your ball, judging both direction and strength, not only to run hoops but also to hit it into other balls, is the key to good golf croquet. Hitting your own ball into an opponent’s ball and knocking it out of position (e.g. if it is in front of the hoop and ready to score on its next turn) is completely legal. Strong players will often clear an opponent’s ball 30 yards, in the hope of keeping it out of range. Tactical complexity arises out of blocking shots, and putting the other players out of position, while putting your partner into a better scoring opportunity.

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There’s more detail available in the Basic Rules of Golf Croquet here, or visit the Croquet Association website for the full World Croquet Federation Rules of Golf Croquet.