Croquet at Hamptworth

Croquet is a game which is stimulating, competitive and fun. If you’re looking for an activity which
satisfies your competitive instinct, or just fancy a knockabout on a Sunday afternoon, why not give
Croquet a try?

Hamptworth is laying two new lawns as well as building a new pavilion this year on the present site adjacent to
the driving range just below the main car park. The new lawns will enable Hamptworth to accommodate
comfortably around double the existing membership of fifty, and new players are welcome.

Croquet is included as part of Hamptworth’s full membership package and leisure membership. Separate
Croquet only membership is also available. If you are interested in ‘trying before you buy’ we can arrange a
trial session.

There are two forms of the game. Golf Croquet (GC) is an easy game to learn. All shots are single ball strokes,
but as with Association Croquet (AC), require tactical thinking and can become as competitive as you wish.

Association Croquet is a more complicated version of the game, with half the strokes played moving two balls
to their desired destination. This game requires tactical thinking to decide where to send the balls as well as
how to play the shot in order to get them to the required position. A cross between chess and snooker.

You can play whenever you like but several club members will turn up at certain times so that you are
guaranteed a game. GC on Monday and Tuesday, and AC on Wednesday are the most popular times. Both
start at 2pm, an hour earlier in the winter.

The only equipment you need is a pair of flat soled shoes; mallets and balls etc are provided.

If you fancy a change of sport or would like to add to your portfolio, give Hamptworth Golf & Country
Club a call on 01794 390155 to arrange a trial session or for further information about membership.

Croquet in more detail

The games can be played as either doubles or singles.

In Golf Croquet (the single shot version) the first side to score seven hoops wins. This is a fast, simple game,
played at the top level best by the Egyptians, who can not only hit another ball from twenty yards but reliably
run a hoop from ten yards as well.  It can and is enjoyed, at a slightly less able level, by anyone, aged nine to
ninety, here at Hamptworth.

Association Croquet (up to 100 shots in a turn) is more complicated and is sometimes described as lawn
chess.  The aim is to hit the peg with each of your balls before your opponent - having run all the hoops in
sequence as shown on the plan.

There is a handicap system which enables players of different abilities to compete, as in conventional golf.

It takes a few hours to learn the basics and then it is just practice.

Two games can be played on one lawn. Different coloured balls indicate who plays whom:   
Black and Blue v Red and Yellow and White and Pink v Green and Brown. Coloured clips on the hoop indicate
which hoop is the next one to be run.

The club plays in the Southern Counties Federation Competition. It has its own internal competitions and is
affiliated to the Croquet Association which gives members access to CA events several of which are played
here at Hamptworth. 

A Croquet Court - 28 x 35 Yards

		There are about 175 tournaments played all over the country from April to Sept. Tournaments are graded for players of all abilities. At Hamptworth we carry on playing in the winter, with friendly week-end competitions each month, as well as the usual club days. Come and join in, you will receive a warm welcome on any of the following: Mondays:           Golf Croquet 1pm in winter, 2pm in summer. Tuesdays:          Golf Croquet 1pm in winter, 2pm in summer. Any Croquet from 6.00pm in summer Wednesdays:     Association Croquet 1pm in winter, 2pm in summer. Thursdays:         Croquet Coaching 2pm throughout the year.

If you are a member of Hamptworth Country Club you are automatically a paid up Croquet member. If not you
can join the Croquet section for £192 pa. New members are always welcome.

All equipment is provided free. It is a totally amateur game so coaching is free for all levels of players. 

Dress code: Flat shoes, whites for some competitions.

Feel free to wander down to the lawn and chat, or, if you feel shy about trying such an off-beat pastime please
ring:

Richard Stevens: 01794 884666 - Coach
Mary Smith:         01725 510871 - Captain Golf
Pat Kennett:        01794 322209 - Club Secretary

You are sure to get a warm welcome at

Hamptworth Golf & Country Club
Hamptworth, Nr Landford
Wiltshire, SP5 2DU
Tel: 01794 390155
Fax: 01794 390022
E-mail: info@hamptworthgolf.co.uk

For further information on Croquet please choose from the Games below:

Association Croquet

Golf Croquet

Important Contacts:

Coach
Richard Stevens
01794 884666

Captain Association
Richard Dickson
01725 511586

Captain Golf
Mary Smith
01725 510871