Learn croquet
Everything you need to learn croquet.
Plain-English guides from the Birmingham Croquet Club, checked against the official rulebooks. New to the game? Start with how to play.
Golf croquet at a glance
Golf croquet is the version we play in Birmingham, Alabama, and quick to pick up. Two sides race their balls through the same hoop, one stroke at a time. Here are the essentials.
| Court | 35 by 28 yards (105 by 84 feet), or smaller in the same proportions; about 50 by 40 feet works on an ordinary lawn |
|---|---|
| On the court | Six hoops and a center peg |
| Sides | Blue and black against red and yellow |
| Order of play | Blue, red, black, yellow, then round again |
| A turn | One stroke, with no extra strokes for anything |
| Scoring | The first side to run each hoop scores one point, then everyone moves on to the next |
| Winning | The usual game is 13 points, so the first side to 7 wins |
| How long | Often about 50 minutes |
| The rulebook | World Croquet Federation, 6th Edition, also used by the US Croquet Association |
Learn the game
How to play croquetA beginner’s walk through a game of golf croquet, from the first shot to the winning hoop.Golf croquet rulesScoring, playing order, offside balls and faults, in plain English.Shots and tacticsHow to hold the mallet, run a hoop, clear an opponent and think a move ahead.Croquet questionsQuick answers to what newcomers ask most.
Set up and gear up
Court dimensions and setupThe measurements, a diagram and how to lay out a court on your own lawn.Backyard croquetHow to set up and play with the set in your garage.Croquet equipmentWhat to know about mallets, balls, hoops and sets before you buy.Gear directoryWhere to buy tournament-grade mallets, balls and hoops, with US sellers first.
Know the sport
Learn it on a real lawn
Come and play in Birmingham.
Reading gets you started, and one afternoon on a lawn teaches you the rest. The Birmingham Croquet Club welcomes new players, with no experience or equipment needed.