Golf Croquet
Golf Croquet is a version of croquet that is played on a smaller court and with simpler rules than traditional Association Croquet.
Unlike Association Croquet, Golf Croquet is a more straightforward and faster-paced game that is suitable for players of all ages and skill levels.
The Lawn
To play croquet, the standard court size is 105' by 84' (35 yards by 28 yards).
The equipment needed for the game includes six hoops (wickets), one peg (stake), and four balls. Each player requires a mallet, which can be shared. Although it is possible to play with an inexpensive croquet set on an ordinary lawn, the game is more enjoyable with high-quality equipment and on a flat and smooth lawn with short grass.
A Brief Description of Golf Croquet
In Golf Croquet, there are two teams: blue and black balls versus red and yellow balls. In singles play, each player controls two balls; in doubles, each player controls only one ball throughout the game.
The objective of the game is to be the first team to reach seven points. A team scores a point when one of its balls passes through the next hoop in sequence, as indicated by the yellow lines in Figure 2. Only one ball can score per hoop, so both teams compete for the same hoop.
If the game is tied at six points each after a total of twelve points have been scored, the third hoop is contested again to break the tie.
(The United States Croquet Association provides some great images to get you started)
To play the game, one must use a mallet to strike a ball. The player who is currently playing is referred to as the striker, and the ball in play during their turn is known as the striker's ball. Turns are played in a specific order: blue, red, black, and yellow, as indicated by the sequence of colors painted on the peg. It's worth noting that each turn is comprised of only one stroke.
When the striker's ball is struck, it may move other balls and earn points. However, it is essential that the striker only strikes their designated ball and not any other. The striker should use only the mallet to play, and refrain from touching any other ball while taking a shot. Furthermore, the striker must use one of the mallet's two striking faces to hit the ball, avoiding the use of the side face or the shaft. Lastly, the striker should ensure that they strike the ball cleanly and only once per stroke.
Starting The Game
The team that wins a coin toss gets to select the balls. The blue ball starts the game, and each ball is played into the game from any point on the court within one yard of corner IV.
Scoring Points
A point is scored for a team when a ball passes through the next hoop in sequence (refer to Figure 2). If the striker's ball causes another ball to run through the hoop, the point goes to the team whose ball made it through the hoop. If two balls pass through the hoop on the same stroke, the point is awarded to the ball that was closest to the hoop when the stroke began.
Keeping Score
The team that scores a point announces the score.
Boundaries
If any part of a ball is over a boundary, it is considered out of bounds, and the ball is placed just inside the nearest boundary to where it went out.
The Halfway Rule
After a team scores a point, any ball more than halfway to the next hoop is considered offside unless it reached its position on the previous stroke, made contact with an opponent's ball, or was moved to a penalty spot.
If you have an offside ball, your opponent can choose to make you place it on one of the two penalty spots before your next play. The penalty spots are located on the East and West boundaries, aligned with the peg.