Do you remember playing croquet as a child? I do. We set it up in the backyard. You had to make sure the soil wasn’t too dried out to ease putting the wickets in the ground. I can’t recall if I was very good, but it did seem like a lot of fun at the time. I remember me & my sister and the neighborhood kids always trying to hit each other’s balls, but I don’t think that is in the official rules. We not only hit the balls with both ends of the mallet but also with the flat part of the mallet. I don’t think that is in the rules either. Maybe we should learn more about croquet.
According to Wikipedia, croquet is a sport that involves hitting wooden or plastic balls with a mallet through hoops — often called "wickets" in the United States — embedded in a grass playing court. Its international governing body is the World Croquet Federation.
History
The oldest document to bear the word croquet with a description of the modern game is the set of rules registered by Isaac Spratt in November 1856 with the Stationers' Co. in London. This record is now in the Public Record Office. In 1868, the first croquet all-comers meet was held at Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire and in the same year the All England Croquet Club was formed at Wimbledon, London.
Regardless when and by what route it reached the British Isles and the British colonies in its recognizable form, croquet is — like golf, pall-mall, trucco and kolven — among the later forms of ground billiards, which as a class have been popular in Western Europe back to at least the Late Middle Ages, with roots in classical antiquity, including sometimes the use of arches and pegs along with balls and mallets or other striking sticks, some more akin to modern field hockey sticks. In the 12th century, a team ball game called la soule or choule, akin to a chaotic version of hockey or football — depending on whether sticks were used — was regularly played in France and southern Britain between villages or parishes; it was attested in Cornwall as early as 1283.
In the book “Queen of Games: The History of Croquet,” Nicky Smith presents two theories of the origin of the modern game of croquet, which took England by storm in the 1860s and then spread overseas.
First origin theory
The first explanation is that the ancestral game was introduced to Britain from France during the 1660–1685 reign of Charles II of England, Scotland and Ireland, and was played under the name of paille-maille — among other spellings, today usually pall-mall — derived ultimately from Latin words for “ball and mallet,” the latter also found in the name of the earlier French game, jeu de mail. This was the explanation given in the ninth edition of Encyclopædia Britannica dated 1877.
In his 1801 book “The Sports and Pastimes of the People of England,” Joseph Strutt described the way pall-mall was played in England at the time:
"Pale-maille is a game wherein a round box[wood] ball is struck with a mallet through a high arch of iron, which he that can do at the fewest blows, or at the number agreed upon, wins. It is to be observed, that there are two of these arches, that is one at either end of the alley. The game of mall was a fashionable amusement in the reign of Charles the Second, and the walk in Saint James's Park — now called the Mall — received its name from having been appropriated to the purpose of playing at mall, where Charles himself and his courtiers frequently exercised themselves in the practice of this pastime."
While the name pall-mall and various games bearing this name also appeared elsewhere — France and Italy — the description above suggests that the croquet-like games in particular were popular in England by the early 17th century. Some other early modern sources refer to pall-mall being played over a large distance as in golf; however, an image in Strutt's 1801 book shows a croquet-like ground billiards game — balls on ground, hoop, bats and peg — being played over a short, garden-sized distance. The image's caption describes the game as "a curious ancient pastime," confirming that croquet games were not new in early 19th-century England.
In Samuel Johnson's 1755 dictionary, his definition of "pall-mall" clearly describes a game with similarities to modern croquet: "A play in which the ball is struck with a mallet through an iron ring." However, there is no evidence that pall-mall involved the croquet stroke which is the distinguishing characteristic of the modern game.
Second origin theory
The second theory is that the rules of the modern game of croquet arrived from Ireland during the 1850s, perhaps after being brought there from Brittany, where a similar game was played on the beaches. Regular contact between Ireland and France had continued since the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169. By no later than the early 15th century, the game jeu de mail — itself ancestral to pall-mall and perhaps to indoor billiards — was popular in France, including in the courts of Henry II in the 16th century and Louis XIV of the 17th.
At least one version of it, rouët or “wheel” was a multiball lawn game. Records show a game called "crookey," similar to croquet, being played at Castlebellingham in County Louth, Ireland, in 1834, which was introduced to Galway in 1835 and played on the bishop's palace garden, and in the same year to the genteel Dublin suburb of Kingstown — today Dún Laoghaire — where it was first spelled as "croquet." There is, however, no pre-1858 Irish document that describes the way game was played; in particular, there is no reference to the distinctive croquet stroke. The noted croquet historian Dr. Prior, in his book of 1872, makes the categoric statement "One thing only is certain: it is from Ireland that croquet came to England, and it was on the lawn of the late Lord Lonsdale that it was first played in this country." This was about 1851.
John Jaques apparently claimed in a letter to Arthur Lillie in 1873 that he had himself seen the game played in Ireland, writing "I made the implements and published directions — such as they were — before Mr. Spratt [mentioned above] introduced the subject to me." Whatever the truth of the matter, Jaques certainly played an important role in popularizing the game, producing editions of the rules in 1857, 1860 and 1864.
Heydey and decline
Croquet became highly popular as a social pastime in England during the 1860s. It was enthusiastically adopted and promoted by the Earl of Essex who held lavish croquet parties at Cassiobury House, his stately home in Watford, Hertfordshire, and the Earl even launched his own Cassiobury-brand croquet set. By 1867, Jaques had printed 65,000 copies of his “Laws and Regulations” of the game. It quickly spread to other Anglophone countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States. No doubt one of the attractions was that the game could be played by both sexes; this also ensured a certain amount of adverse comment.
It is no coincidence that the game became popular at the same time as the cylinder lawn mower, since croquet can only be played well on a lawn that is flat and finely cut.
By the late 1870s, however, croquet had been eclipsed by another fashionable game, lawn tennis, and many of the newly created croquet clubs, including the All England Club at Wimbledon, converted some or all of their lawns into tennis courts.
There was a revival in the 1890s, but from then onwards, croquet was always a minority sport, with national individual participation amounting to a few thousand players. The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club still has a croquet lawn, but has not hosted any significant tournaments. The English headquarters for the game is now in Cheltenham.
The earliest known reference to croquet in Scotland is the booklet “The Game of Croquet, its Laws and Regulations” which was published in the mid-1860s for the proprietor of Eglinton Castle, the Earl of Eglinton. On the page facing the title page is a picture of Eglinton Castle with a game of "croquet" in full swing.
The croquet lawn existed on the northern terrace, between Eglinton Castle and the Lugton Water. The 13th Earl developed a variation on croquet named Captain Moreton's Eglinton Castle croquet, which had small bells on the eight hoops "to ring the changes," two pegs, a double hoop with a bell and two tunnels for the ball to pass through. In 1865 the “Rules of the Eglinton Castle and Cassiobury Croquet” was published by Edmund Routledge. Several incomplete sets of this form of croquet are known to exist, and one complete set is still used for demonstration games in the West of Scotland.
Best croquet set
According to the Sept. 21, 2021 article “Best Croquet Set” at https://happydiyhome.com/croquet-set/, croquet is a fun summer sport that is wildly popular throughout Great Britain, but it’s catching on in the United States very quickly. This is a classic backyard game with a laid-back atmosphere, and players in all age groups and skill levels can enjoy it. While it’s simple to play but challenging to master, having the best croquet set on-hand makes it a little bit easier.
Play with family and friends and host a good old-fashioned competition or play solo and sharpen your skills. All you need is a slightly large yard, a croquet set, some good food and beverages. If you’re in the market for a new croquet set, I’ve picked out the top 10 croquet set options available on the current market for you below. Take a look, make your pick, and beat out everyone to be the master croquet player this summer.
1. Ropoda Six-Player Croquet Set – Top Pick $42.49
The first croquet set on the list comes from Ropoda, and this is a very durable set that your kids can play with at their sleepovers, or you can break it out at the next barbeque and get the whole family to play. You also get a nice carrying case that makes storing it or taking it from place to place easy. It’s a great set to get if you want to introduce the game to your family but you’re not 100% sure they’ll want to play. The handles on the mallets are 26-inches long, and this puts them slightly on the shorter end when you compare them to a few other examples on the list. However, it’s a nice set for beginners or if you want the kids to play.
When you pick up this croquet set, you’ll get six mallets with six handles and nine steel wickets. The modern colors are a very nice touch, and they make it easy to pair the mallet up with the ball when you play. You can have between two and six players per game, and you also get dual ending stakes. The handles and the mallets feature a hardwood design that is durable while being easy to assemble, and the croquet balls feature a resin material that is very difficult to crack or damage. The carrying bag has a thicker zipper that won’t break, and you get a few pockets on the inside to keep everything organized.
Benefits:
· Nice beginner set.
· Modern color scheme.
· Hardwood materials with resin.
· Comes with a carrying bag.
· Steel wickets resist rust.
· Rule book included.
· Easy to set up.
Drawback – Can cause splinters.
2. Juegoal Croquet Set – Step-Up Pick
$37.99
This croquet set works well for two to six players of all skill levels, and adults or children can use it to play since the handles on the mallets are only 28-inches long. This ensures that they’re not awkward when you use them. You get six handles, six balls, six mallets and nine wickets with two ending stakes. It also has a manual book that helps you understand the rules, and everything packs neatly into a carrying case. It features a very lightweight design, but it’s solid. This set can easily last for years without showing any large signs of wear and tear.
All you have to do to get this croquet set up and ready to use is to screw the wooden handle into the mallet, and this should only take a few seconds. The mallets have caps on them for additional protection against wear and tear, and the balls feature a weather-resistant, molded design to ensure they last. The wickets come with a vinyl coating, and the bag allows you to store or transport the whole set. It’s a nice choice for people aged six and up, and you can choose from two different wood colors. The color scheme is bright but classic.
Benefits:
· Vinyl coating on the wickets prevents rust.
· Mallets have caps on the ends.
· Screws together easily.
· For ages six and up.
· Can support between two and six players.
· Weather-resistant balls included.
· Two wood colors.
Drawback – Zipper can get stuck.
3. Driveway Games Portable Croquet Set – Mid-End Budget Pick $49.99
Driveway Games offer a croquet set that is a nice pick if you’re on a slightly tighter budget but you want a set to go by your kid’s playhouse in the backyard for those long summer days. You get everything you need for six people to play croquet with this set, including nine wickets, six croquet balls and two wooden stakes. The stakes and mallets come made out of hardwood to ensure they’re durable, and the rubber mallet caps add extra protection to prevent chips or wear on the mallets with heavy play. The vinyl-coated wickets are also very durable, and this helps to prevent scratches.
You get polymer croquet balls with this set, and these are very resistant to any damage. There is a carrying case that allows you to neatly pack up the set between uses to store it that measures 27.4 inches by 9.8 inches by 7.6 inches. It fits neatly into closets or out in your garage or storage shed, and you can easily keep everything together when you transport it from point A to point B. The bright colors allow you to easily match the mallet to the ball, and they’re very classic. The lighter wood also allows the colors to stand out more.
Benefits:
· Supports two to six players.
· Vinyl-coating prevents scratches.
· Polymer croquet balls.
· Compact storage bag.
· Brighter colors.
· Uses a hardwood for the mallets.
· Great for smaller players.
Drawback – Handles are only 24 inches.
4. ApudArmis Six Player Croquet Set – Bargain Budget Pick $41.39
Just because you have a tight budget doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on a croquet set, and this is a great pick. You get everything you need to play in one purchase, including six 28-inch mallets with bright coloring, six bright croquet balls, two 18-inch ending stakes, nine steel wickets, an instruction manual and an extra-large carrying bag to keep everything sorted and together until you want to use it again. The mallet head features rubber wood that is durable and sweatproof, and the mallet handle features poplar wood with a clear texture and smooth planed surfaces. This makes it resistant to corrosion or wear.
The set comes with a pretty string surface pattern that is very comfortable to grip, and the croquet balls feature elastic polymer. You can set it up within minutes, and it’s very easy to learn how to play. The zip-up carrying bag is a durable nylon material that will stretch to accommodate all of the pieces of the croquet set. You can get a full year warranty from the date of purchase on the set with a 30-day return window if you’re not 100% satisfied. The customer service team is also very responsive to questions, and the stakes have slight points on them to make them easy to drive into the ground.
Benefits:
· 1-year warranty.
· Mallets are slightly longer.
· Has a nylon storage bag.
· Can return it in 30 days.
· Wickets are steel.
· Poplar wood for the mallets.
· Easy to carry.
Drawback – Mallets may be too light.
5. Deluxe Croquet Game Set – Best For Bigger Groups $389.50
If you’re looking for a high-quality croquet set and you don’t mind spending a little more on it, this is an Amish-crafted deluxe set that won’t disappoint. You get top-quality craftsmanship with some of the best materials available, and it’s a traditional set that allows you to get a classic look and feel when you set it up by your container garden or patio. You get eight mallets, eight balls, two stakes, a wooden storage stand and nine wickets in each order, so you can have up to eight people play at one time. The mallets use hardwood with solid brass rings fitted to the ends of the heads. You can also choose from 28- or 32-inch lengths to match different people’s heights.
The mallets all have a color-coded painting on them that corresponds to the ball that matches in the set. The ball is just over three inches in diameter, and this makes it larger than traditional regulation size. However, it makes it easier for people to learn. The wooden stand will neatly hold all of your items between rounds, and it comes fitted with a durable but pretty brass handle. You get ready-to-play instructions when you order this set, and you can even split the handle size when you order to get four of each size.
Benefits:
· High-quality craftsmanship.
· Supports up to eight players.
· 28- or 32-inch handle choices.
· Brass fittings.
· Wooden carrying/storage case.
· Ready-to-play instructions included.
· Maple hardwood mallets.
Drawback – Price is much higher than other options.
6. TOYANDONA Children’s Croquet – Best For Kids $29.59
If you’re trying to find a way to help your child’s hand-eye coordination, this cute and colorful children’s croquet set is a great way to go. The size balances seamlessly between being large enough to not be a choking hazard while being small enough for smaller hands to grip the mallets easily. You get two very simple wooden mallets with blue handles when you order this croquet set, and they have very smooth handles that won’t splinter while not being fragile enough to break. The bright blue color on this croquet set mallet is also very inviting, and it has a plain wooden mallet portion.
You get a green and a red ball when you order this set, but the wickets are where it really shines. Each wicket is in the shape of a fun animal, and you get five wickets per order in bright and engaging colors. They have small wooden flaps on the side to help set them on the ground, and you can easily use it indoors or outdoors without worrying about causing damage to the flooring. As the mallet is only 15-inches tall, it’s a great set for toddlers and smaller kids to play with.
Benefits:
· Colorful animal-themed wickets.
· Smaller mallets.
· Easy to set up.
· Can use indoors or outdoors.
· Made especially for kids.
· Supports up to two players.
· Lightweight.
Drawback – Mallet handle is really thin.
7. Baden Deluxe Series Croquet Set – Best For Experienced Players $79.98
If you’re not 100% sure if price or quality matters more when it comes to your croquet set, this is a nice compromise. This set is surprisingly durable for the price, and the wood for the mallets is slightly more lightweight while still allowing you to hit the ball just right. They’re great if you’re trying to improve your skills, and it’ll fit in nicely next to your deck or out in your yard. The set does come with slightly bigger mallets at 33-inches, so this may be too tall for smaller kids or shorter people to play comfortably. If you want kids to play, the mallets should be around 28-inches long.
You’ll get nine steel wickets when you order this croquet set, and they’re resistant to rust and corrosion. There is also a carrying or storage bag included to help keep all of the pieces together when you move them. The balls are slightly lower quality and can crack over time, but it’s a nice choice for newer players. The detachable mallet heads make them a snap to store, and they screw into the handles for a very fast setup process when you want to play. You get an official rulebook in each purchase, and it comes with a 90-day warranty from the date of purchase.
Benefits:
· 90-day warranty.
· 33-inch mallet handles.
· Has steel wickets.
· Nylon carrying bag included.
· Detachable mallet heads.
· Official rulebook included.
Drawback – Croquet balls are lower quality.
8. Triumph 6-Player Croquet Set – Best For Mixed Groups $35.85
This six-player croquet set from Triumph allows you to work on your concentration levels and strategy, and you get everything you need to play all wrapped into a nice package. It has six multicolored solid wooden mallets with 24-inch handles that make them suitable for younger kids to adults to play without being too big, goal stakes, six multicolored balls and nine wire wickets. The wickets come with a coating on them to make them resistant to rust or corrosion from exposure to the elements. The entire set will fit nicely into the included carrying bag to make storage a quick and easy process, and it also allows you to transport them without losing anything.
This is a recreational set that works well for experienced and brand new players, and the mallet heads come fitted with rubberized ends that withstand hard play without showing any wear or tear like wooden-ended mallets would. You get traditional colors with very smooth and coated mallet handles that won’t cause splinters or slip when you use them, and the bag comes with a drawstring closure that can double as a hanging string when you store it.
Benefits:
· Slightly larger storage bag.
· Wickets have a weatherproof coating.
· 24-inch handles.
· Mallets have rubberized ends.
· Very smooth design.
· Bright colors.
· Easy to screw together.
Drawback – Difficult to contact customer support.
9. Garden Games Townsend Croquet Set – Best For Heavy Usage
Out of Stock-Amazon
Townsend’s four player croquet set has adult-sized wooden mallets that feature dark rosewood heads with octagonal ash wooden shafts that are very resistant to wear and tear while looking sharp. Each mallet also comes outfitted with a leather-bound handle that adds an air of traditional English elegance to it. There are no variations when it comes to the mallet size, so you do have to make due with the 38-inch long handles. They’re nice for adult players but far too large for kids. You get steel powder-coated wickets that will withstand the elements, no matter which planting zone you live in.
You’ll get a full instruction set included in the purchase to ensure that you can set up this set easily the first time you do so, and this four-player set comes with a zip-closed canvas bag that makes transport and storage easy. The bright colors stand out nicely against the lighter wood and darker mallet heads, and the mallets have a clear coat on them to make them shine. The non-chip croquet balls in this set weigh in at 16 ounces, making them regulation size. The canvas bag has a shoulder strap to make it easy to pick up and carry.
Benefits:
· Longer mallet handles.
· Handles have a leather wrap.
· Dual wood coloring.
· Durable canvas bag with a carrying strap.
· Non-chip croquet balls are regulation size.
· Supports up to four players.
· Professional-grade set.
Drawback – Handles are too long for some players.
10. BroWill Croquet Set – Best For Families $63.99
The final croquet set on the list comes from BroWill, and you get 35-inch full printed mallets when you order it that work well as long as you’re over five feet tall. They stop you from having to bend over while you play. They have full coverage with natural lacquers, and this allows them to have resistance to the weather to help them last longer while avoiding damage if you accidentally forget one outside. The croquet balls feature a high-density polyethylene, and this makes them resistant to cracking while ensuring they can survive different weather conditions and impacts without a problem.
This is a nice croquet set for virtually any flat surface you have outside, and you get nine wire wickets with a plastic covering to help them resist rust or corrosion. The two stake posts are durable eucalyptus, and you get a very large, durable carrying bag that is made out of 600D fabric. This bag is large enough to fit everything in and allow you to pull things back out without having to dig. It’s a lightweight set that comes with a worry-free guarantee. You can return it within 45-days for a money-back guarantee, or you can take advantage of the 24-month product replacement warranty to protect your investment.
Benefits:
· Dual warranties.
· Full printed mallets.
· Longer handles.
· Carrying bag is 600D fabric.
· Croquet balls resist stress cracking.
· Easy to set up.
· Survives different weather conditions.
Drawback – Only allows four people to play at once.
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