h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

If there were a diagram maybe I would understand...

You've got to face it, croquet is incomprehensible, even with a diagram. The easiest way is to make up the rules as you go along (penalties if ball becomes completely lost in flowerbeds or if your opponents need to be hospitalised due to use of metal hoops as offensive weapons) and threaten anybody who disagrees with the large and potentially very dangerous mallets provided. Despite the fact that it's mainly played by geriatrics in pristine whites it has to be one of the most competitive and high risk sports known to man...

Geriatrics in pristine whites?

I would would have thought that's the very reason WHY it is so dangerous.

~A~

PS Welcome to h2g2 Lou of Robinson.

As a player of that other sport which allegedly is played by geriatrics in whites. I may take offence.

DD (Bowler)

No! Not cricket! Please not cricket! Anything but cricket!

*goes to DD's page and looks embarrassed* No, not cricket in fact. *I'll just hide under this stone. . .*

No offence taken Lou.

Okay, so maybe this conversation was a long time ago, but I've only just discovered h2g2, so here goes...

As a keen croquet player (and not a geriatric!) I'd love to see some more discussion on this...

If you're in need of a diagram, or the association rules, take a look at www.oxfordcroquet.com and use the menu on the right to find out how to play.

Having said that, and despite me being picky about teh rules, one of the joys of croquet is that it really can be played in any reasonably sized garden and with local rules...

Razzle

we play it in the back garden of my parents house only it's less interesting now as they've had the dips and bumps flattened out of the lawn