Have you ever thought about trying croquet? That funny little game where people hit balls through small hoops? Or maybe the idea has never even crossed your mind. Either way, there’s a lot to learn.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The basic theory is quite simple: hit a ball through hoops in a certain order. But there are multiple forms and variants including “association”, “golf” or “ricochet” croquet, which can make things a little bit trickier.
Mostly, the game plays a bit like a mixture between golf and eight-ball pool.
The key differences are that you’re aiming for a hoop instead of a hole, and rather than using a cue or a club, you’re swinging a mallet like a pendulum between your legs for every shot.
I was given a generous tutorial by Heather Phillips and Kevin Geyer at Kalmina Park Croquet Club. One thing I found particularly difficult about the croquet technique was getting comfortable with lightly hitting yourself in the crotch on every shot. But perhaps I didn’t quite have the right technique.
The “association” game is a complex and tough test of players ability to think several shots ahead. It includes rushes and breaks and baulks and lifts and croquets and roquets and maybe even bisques.
I’m told the tactics can be so in-depth that croquet might more closely resemble chess than golf or pool.
But the intricacies and details of the “association” game isn’t what is important for beginner players.
Once you have found yourself a mallet and a ball you’re going to be lured in by your ability to hit a marvelous shot, perhaps displacing your opponent from a critical position and proudly leaving your ball in its place.
This may be followed by several not-so-great efforts, but it is the moments of brilliance that should retain your focus.
Former Horsham mayor Heather Phillips has become one of Kalimna Park’s most devoted members.
Phillips found herself with a bit of spare time when her tenure on Horsham council came to an end, and found a love in croquet.
At the Kalimna Park Croquet club they might get up to 20 players for competition on a good day. Phillips might be the last regular member to join the club, and she made the move roughly two years ago.
But on Australia Day, Kalimna Park are having light-hearted croquet Olympics, involving some special events, prizes and a chance for beginners to learn some basic technique.
Anyone who is interested in giving this unique sport a try is encouraged to head down and get involved at 9:30AM on Australia Day.
But remember, there may be a few obstacles in your way to becoming a croquet champion.
As someone relatively new to the sport, Phillips has some wise word about the realities of learning croquet – not to put you off or anything.
- Start with selecting a mallet that probably is the wrong weight and length for you (you probably should have done some research).
- Get into the bad habit of having your hands too far apart and spend the next 12 months correcting your grip and stance.
- You will have moments of brilliance and are convinced that consistency is your main issue.
- Remember when someone said that the ball goes straighter when you hit it hard? They didn’t mean that for every shot.
- You get to play against people who are much better than you – while you’re sitting on the sidelines, just try to understand what on earth is going on.
- You might get hooked and start googling for answers and spending hours on youtube watching the croquet world championships.
- You will get thrashed by literal 90 year olds.
Enjoy!