Backyard Croquet 101
As a competitive sport, recreational hobby, or just a pleasant way to pass a sunny afternoon, croquet offers a combination of casual play and careful strategy that is unique among outdoor games. All one needs is some croquet equipment, a few friends, a level stretch of grass, and an acceptable set of rules.
Since catching the public consciousness in the 19th century, croquet has become one of the world's most popular lawn games. It's also spawned many variations on the traditional game, such as golf croquet and eXtreme croquet. But the two most common forms of croquet remain six-wicket croquet and nine-wicket croquet, known respectively as American croquet and backyard croquet. It's these two forms that we examine in our overview of croquet rules and regulations.
Croquet Sets
Everybody could use a little shopping advice now and then. Even though finding the right croquet set for your style and budget is easy at Croquet.com, we put together this brief list of croquet sets and their notable characteristics just to make sure you have the knowledge you need. P.S.: If you're searching for mahogany croquet mallets with brass heads, engraved initials, and suede grips, we have one question: can you put us on your gift list?
Croquet Balls
Croquet balls may appear to be simple things, but they're actually graded based on a variety of factors, including roundness, weight, rebound, milling, and diameter. For example, if you're a casual player or shopping for equipment for younger players, then lighter 12-ounce "challenge" balls might be a better choice than the one-pound balls approved by the Croquet Association. These and other important details can be learned in our quick and handy guide to croquet balls.
History of Croquet
Since its creation in mid-19th century England, croquet has had an often ambiguous and elusive reputation, part genteel, part rowdy, but always colorful. In the United States, croquet has gone from clerical opposition to Hollywood glamour, and is now the quintessential image of a casual, family-friendly backyard game - quite a journey for a simple game of balls, mallets, and wickets. Our history of croquet article ranges from the late 19th century to the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Croquet Mallets
It may seem ironic that a game as elegant as croquet uses a hammer to initiate gameplay. Yet croquet mallets are often very elegant themselves, with attractive and tactile materials such as leather and wood. The durability and power of fiberglass has also made it a popular material choice among our croquet mallet shoppers at Croquet.com. This article offers a few specifications and tips that will enable you to choose the right croquet mallet or set.
