Croquet & Bocce
September 1, 2009 12:36 AM
I would like to buy a croquet set and/or a bocce set but I don't know what features I should be looking for. Do you have any recommendations for brands or specific sets? Or do you have any general guidelines?
My brother now lives in a house with a big, flat lawn. I thought it would be fun to get him a croquet set and/or a bocce set. I haven't played either since I was a kid, and I don't really know what features are desirable or anything like that.
(For instance, what's the difference between this set and this set? One of them has balls that are 9mm larger, but why would one be preferable?)
I don't need a "pro-quality" set but I want something good and solid and sturdy. $70 feels like a good upper limit but I'm willing to hear other arguments.
My brother now lives in a house with a big, flat lawn. I thought it would be fun to get him a croquet set and/or a bocce set. I haven't played either since I was a kid, and I don't really know what features are desirable or anything like that.
(For instance, what's the difference between this set and this set? One of them has balls that are 9mm larger, but why would one be preferable?)
I don't need a "pro-quality" set but I want something good and solid and sturdy. $70 feels like a good upper limit but I'm willing to hear other arguments.
With regards to croquet sets, about 10 years back a former coworker brought one in for post-beer Friday games. I split one of the balls on a send. Split it right in two. Having it broken apart like that gave us the opportunity to see that the balls were not solid wood, but a composite, well-hidden by the paint. Over time, he lost most of the set that way.
If I could recall the brand of the set I'd warn you to keep away. Instead, you might want to look closely at how the balls are made.
posted by plinth at 3:26 AM on September 1, 2009
If I could recall the brand of the set I'd warn you to keep away. Instead, you might want to look closely at how the balls are made.
posted by plinth at 3:26 AM on September 1, 2009
Quality of the croquet mallets is important as well. My parents got a cheapy set for Christmas -- the kind with the plastic covers over the end of the mallet heads. Those things cracked in the first game. I was going to recommend Smith & Hawken but it looks like they're going out of business...
posted by bunny hugger at 6:01 AM on September 1, 2009
posted by bunny hugger at 6:01 AM on September 1, 2009
Just a data point, but our croquet set is the cheapo kind with plastic over the mallets, and it's still going strong after about 20 years.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 11:23 AM on September 1, 2009
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 11:23 AM on September 1, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
For instance, in France, they play petanque.
The games are all related; and all different.
posted by Netzapper at 12:56 AM on September 1, 2009