Anyone can enjoy a game of croquet in their back gardens using a small set purchased from a sports shop.
This makes it a very popular game for those with a garden lawn large enough to accommodate it (see “What you need” off the UK Croquet site).

About Croquet

Croquet is an ideal way to spend a summer’s afternoon. It provides some gentle exercise without being too strenuous, it is suitable for all ages, it involves a combination of mental and physical skills, and it is possible to socialise at the same time as you are playing. There are two main versions of the game played in gardens – Garden Croquet and Golf Croquet.

Garden croquet

Garden Croquet is a simplified form of Association croquet, and it involves getting extra turns in reward for hitting another ball or running a hoop. This provides for a richness of tactics and a wide variety of types of shot to play. Click here for Garden Croquet rules off the UK Croquet site.

Golf croquet

Golf Croquet is a simpler form of the game, but still involves a great deal of skill. It is perhaps particularly suitable for when you have limited time, as games tend to be shorter and (if you haven’t played before) the tactics and rules are a bit more straightforward to understand. Click here for Golf Croquet rules off the UK Croquet site.

Where to buy or hire Croquet equipment

Contact SACA Secretary Susan Crole, secretary@croquet.org.za or your nearest croquet club.

Why not join your local club?

There are over 20 clubs registered with the SA Croquet Association and they are to be found in Gauteng, Western Province, Eastern Province and Kwa-Zulu-Natal.

Virtually all clubs offer starter packages and will be quite happy to let all comers try this fascinating game without any financial commitments and may even offer some coaching. Clubs will usually play Association Croquet (of which Garden Croquet is a simplified version) and Golf Croquet.

The St James Hotel in Knysna has a lovely 3 acre garden right on the banks of the lagoon, where guests can play croquet. There is not a designated area, so guests are free to be creative with their game set up. Please have a look at their website to give you an idea of their location, www.stjames.co.za