Cockahoop at Dogmersfield Croquet Club

Round & About

Peter Fennell of Dogmersfield Croquet Club invites you to pick up a mallet and have a go at croquet at the open day this month

Croquet is a sport that normally only gets publicity when played by senior politicians! Croquet is actually a fun-filled action game lasting about 40 minutes.   

The sport is played locally by Dogmersfield Croquet Club in the grounds of the nearby Four Seasons Hotel on a lawn that is much smaller than the regular size making it ideal for beginners. The facility is kindly offered to club members in return for occasionally helping out with instructing hotel guests. 

The club plays a form of Croquet known as Golf Croquet, an increasingly popular form of the game. This is an easy game to learn, very tactical in nature, uncomplicated and fun to play. It requires one basic skill – that of propelling a ball with accuracy. You will find it a simple, sociable and enjoyable game and will soon get used to the feel of the mallet, the weight of a croquet ball, and the satisfaction of getting the ball through the hoop. 

All you need to start are flat soled shoes, the club will provide the rest of the equipment. Everyone plays on an equal basis, whether young, old, male or female. Not only is it a game of skill and tactics, but a sport in which British players lead the world. 

To play the game, all players (two, three or four) are on the court at the same time, with all four balls contesting the same hoop. When a player scores the first hoop, everyone moves on to contest the second hoop and so on. The winner is the person, or team, to score seven hoops with an average game taking just 30 to 40 minutes. All players are assessed after training and given a handicap. There is an internal singles and doubles tournament and friendly matches with local clubs. 

The club has weekly mix-ins and players can also arrange their own games. Every month there is a BYO wine and nibbles for sharing after play and several other social events during the year.   

Membership is currently £30 per annum (playing season is April – October) with a £10 joining fee.  Anyone interested would be most welcome and club members are only too pleased to help new players.