Playing Guides
On this new page you will currently find Enfield Croquet Etiquette, Golf Croquet Laws 2011, Guide to the Golf Croquet Wrong Ball Laws, Ken's 7 Essential Golf Croquet Basics, Ken's Next 7 Essential basics for Golf Croquet. The most recent features added to the website will always appear at the top of each page.THE GOLF CROQUET LAWS for the 2011 Season
By Bill Arliss - Chairman GC Laws Committee
The following text is taken from The Croquet Gazette - Issue 330, February 2011 and reproduced here with the kind permission of The Croquet Gazette
Webmaster's notes: I've skipped the preamble which notes that these rulings do not change the present laws but simply clarify the existing words to meet normal situations. These new rulings, as you will most probably be aware, have the same standing as the laws of the game. What follows is the bulk of the article as it appeared in Croquet Gazette
To help all our players prepare for the 2011 season, we have prepared a short summary of the various rulings as given below and will also make available on our website a small print file to produce suitable inserts into your law books.
The present laws have one weakness right at the beginning of each game, they do not define when the game had actually started. Thus if the first player damaged the lawn or played the wrong ball, one was tempted to ask had the game actually started and should penalties be awarded. This problem is clarified by ruling 5.1 below. Unfortunately having given this ruling one has to decide what happens to balls after such an error in play and this has to lead to additional rulings to clarify the situation.
5.1 A game starts when a player strikes or attempts to strike a ball with the intention of starting the game.
5.2 Balls are outside agencies until they are played into the game in accordance with rule 5. If it is noticed that a wrong ball has been played before all four balls have been played into the game, the game reverts to its state after the last turn played correctly in sequence.
5.3 If the striker commits a non-striking fault before the ball is played in one of the first four turns of the game, the ball remains an outside agency until it is played from the starting area in a later turn.
5.4 If the striker commits a striking fault in one of the first four turns, the ball has been played into the game irrespective of whether the opponent chooses to leave it where it stopped or to have it replaced in the position it occupied in the starting area before the fault was committed.
It should be noted that 5.1 does not use the term 'striker' or 'striker's ball' but simply a player and a ball. Thus if it is the wrong player or the wrong ball or an illegal shot, the game has started and all the laws apply. Ruling 5.2 ensures that all balls have to be played into the game before any wrong ball penalties start to be applied.
The next ruling results from questions raised by at least two of our players. Everyone has accepted that if a player while casting over his ball accidentally touches the ball, then he has taken his shot and cannot go back and try again. What has not been covered in the past is what happens if accidental contact made with a ball other than the striker's ball. Some have argued that if the other ball was touched before contact was made with the striker's ball, then a wrong ball has been played. Although the intent was definitely to play the striker's ball, the present wording of law 6 about accidental contact with the striker's ball being a shot could be taken to imply that accidental contact with another ball was also a shot. This position is now clarified by the ruling.
6.1 If a player whilst preparing to strike a ball, makes accidental contact with another ball, not the striker's ball, and before making contact with the ball he intends to strike, the accidental contact is a non-striking fault and not the playing of a wrong ball.
There is no doubt that many will say "but what happens if the accidental contact is made with the other ball after the mallet has made contact with the striker's ball as it will then become a striking fault and quite likely it will be difficult to determine whether the accidental contact was before or after contact with the striker's ball". Quite correct but really of no consequence as the penalty is identical; no hoop scored, turn ends and the opponent may have all balls put back where they were or left as they finished.
The problem of a player acting on false information provided by his opponent has been looked at and a limit of claims has been imposed on such a situation as it would be very impractical to go back too far. Ruling 8.1 reads:
8.1 If a player acts on incorrect information given by the opponent and it is discovered before that player plays the same ball again, the player shall have the choice of a replay or allowing the play to stand, including any points scored in order.
One situation which has caused problems in Australia is where two players try to play their turns at the same time. It's not likely to happen when all players are clustered around a single hoop but is more likely when players are scattered around the lawn and are possibly double banking. This has resulted in rulings 9.1 and 9.2 below.
9.1 When two sides play simultaneously or nearly simultaneously, so that two balls are in motion at the same time, the striker is deemed to have played first irrespective of the actual order in which the two strokes were played and the other side commits a non-striking fault. If the commission of the fault affects the outcome of the striker's play, the striker may choose to have all balls affected by the fault replaced in the positions they occupied before either stroke was played and to replay the turn. If the striker's ball runs a hoop in order or causes another ball so to do after being affected by the fault, the striker may choose to waive the fault and score the point and, in that case, the other side does not lose its next turn.
9.2 When both players of a side play simultaneously or nearly simultaneously so that two balls are in motion at the same time the striker's play stands and the partner has committed a non striking fault. No replay is permitted.
One question that has only been raised this year is the status of clips used for scoring. I am sure there are many who will claim they are part of the game and must be treated as such. However if one reads law 4, clips used for scoring are defined as an accessory and law 9 defines all accessories as outside agencies. There is no special mention of clips actually mounted on hoops and thus clips must be outside agencies at all times. A situation therefore can arise when a player jumps a ball through a hoop and in doing so makes contact with a clip left on the crown or upright of the hoop. Under law 9 the ball has been deflected by an outside agency and therefore cannot score a hoop point. As this can easily be avoided by removal of the clips before attempting a jump, the following rule has been issued.
9.3 Scoring clips, whether on the ground or on a hoop, are outside agencies (Law 9 (d)). As such they should be removed before a stroke is played if the ball is likely to hit a clip. If the clip is not removed and the ball does hit it then the ball stays where it has stopped, there is no replay, and no point is scored in that turn. If a clip which is dropped after the striker has played is hit by a moving ball then Rule 9 (f) applies.
If an outside agency, other than the scoring clip, is in place before a stroke is played, and the outside agency is hit by a moving ball, then Rule 9 (f) does not apply. The opponent has the choice of leaving the moving ball where it stopped or of placing it where the opponent felt it would have stopped if there had been no interference. In particular no replay is permitted.
Two problems with halfway law which have been recognised by the CA Laws Committee for some time have now been formally recognised by international rulings. The first may not appear obvious until you look at it in a particular context. Say for example blue clears red from hoop 2 and puts red in front of hoop 3 which leaves black with an easy shot for hoop 2. Red's owner not fancying a 14 yard clearance, deliberately steps on another ball, commits a non striking fault and thus misses his turn and black runs the hoop. Red then claims he is not offside as has not had a chance to move his ball and his opponent put him in his position. Ruling 10.1 prevents a player from benefiting from a deliberate fault. Playing off an opponent's ball towards the next hoop is a regular tactic if you cannot remove your opponent's ball from a scoring position. Effectively what the ruling is saying is that your ball is in contact with an opponent's ball, you have to move the opponent's ball when you play your shot in order to claim your ball reached its position as a result of contact with an opponent's ball. This is the type of shot that should be watched by a referee if the contact is not likely to be very obvious.
10.1 The exemption under Law 10 (b) (2) shall not apply to a ball whose owner misses a turn in that position because of a non-striking fault.
10.2 The exemption under Law 10 (b) (3) does not result from a ball being played away from an opponent ball with which it is in contact.
10.3 Reference to the play of the owner of an offside ball in Rule 10 (c) (2), includes play by the partner in a doubles game and play of either of the owner's balls in a singles game.
The final ruling in this issue covers the right of a referee to intervene in a game when he is not actually in charge of the game. The present laws allow a 'spectator referee' to intervene without being asked by the players if he sees or hears that play is not being lawfully continued after a fault has been committed or he hears one player giving incorrect information to an opponent on the laws. The 2008 laws also allowed a referee to intervene if he hears a player trying to claim a hoop point when the hoop has been run out of order. Our own Laws Committee were not happy with the introduction of this last condition as it allowed referees to choose the point at which they intervened and thus give the next player the advantage by being the first to approach the next correct hoop in order. The following ruling limits the time at which a referee can now intervene for an out of order hoop.
15.1 A referee should only intervene under Law 15 (b) (4) (iii) if he is personally watching the game and is able to stop play immediately after the stroke in which a hoop is incorrectly run.
The following text is taken from The Croquet Gazette - Issue 330, February 2011 and reproduced here with the kind permission of The Croquet Gazette
Webmaster's notes: I've skipped the preamble which notes that these rulings do not change the present laws but simply clarify the existing words to meet normal situations. These new rulings, as you will most probably be aware, have the same standing as the laws of the game. What follows is the bulk of the article as it appeared in Croquet Gazette
To help all our players prepare for the 2011 season, we have prepared a short summary of the various rulings as given below and will also make available on our website a small print file to produce suitable inserts into your law books.
The present laws have one weakness right at the beginning of each game, they do not define when the game had actually started. Thus if the first player damaged the lawn or played the wrong ball, one was tempted to ask had the game actually started and should penalties be awarded. This problem is clarified by ruling 5.1 below. Unfortunately having given this ruling one has to decide what happens to balls after such an error in play and this has to lead to additional rulings to clarify the situation.
5.1 A game starts when a player strikes or attempts to strike a ball with the intention of starting the game.
5.2 Balls are outside agencies until they are played into the game in accordance with rule 5. If it is noticed that a wrong ball has been played before all four balls have been played into the game, the game reverts to its state after the last turn played correctly in sequence.
5.3 If the striker commits a non-striking fault before the ball is played in one of the first four turns of the game, the ball remains an outside agency until it is played from the starting area in a later turn.
5.4 If the striker commits a striking fault in one of the first four turns, the ball has been played into the game irrespective of whether the opponent chooses to leave it where it stopped or to have it replaced in the position it occupied in the starting area before the fault was committed.
It should be noted that 5.1 does not use the term 'striker' or 'striker's ball' but simply a player and a ball. Thus if it is the wrong player or the wrong ball or an illegal shot, the game has started and all the laws apply. Ruling 5.2 ensures that all balls have to be played into the game before any wrong ball penalties start to be applied.
The next ruling results from questions raised by at least two of our players. Everyone has accepted that if a player while casting over his ball accidentally touches the ball, then he has taken his shot and cannot go back and try again. What has not been covered in the past is what happens if accidental contact made with a ball other than the striker's ball. Some have argued that if the other ball was touched before contact was made with the striker's ball, then a wrong ball has been played. Although the intent was definitely to play the striker's ball, the present wording of law 6 about accidental contact with the striker's ball being a shot could be taken to imply that accidental contact with another ball was also a shot. This position is now clarified by the ruling.
6.1 If a player whilst preparing to strike a ball, makes accidental contact with another ball, not the striker's ball, and before making contact with the ball he intends to strike, the accidental contact is a non-striking fault and not the playing of a wrong ball.
There is no doubt that many will say "but what happens if the accidental contact is made with the other ball after the mallet has made contact with the striker's ball as it will then become a striking fault and quite likely it will be difficult to determine whether the accidental contact was before or after contact with the striker's ball". Quite correct but really of no consequence as the penalty is identical; no hoop scored, turn ends and the opponent may have all balls put back where they were or left as they finished.
The problem of a player acting on false information provided by his opponent has been looked at and a limit of claims has been imposed on such a situation as it would be very impractical to go back too far. Ruling 8.1 reads:
8.1 If a player acts on incorrect information given by the opponent and it is discovered before that player plays the same ball again, the player shall have the choice of a replay or allowing the play to stand, including any points scored in order.
One situation which has caused problems in Australia is where two players try to play their turns at the same time. It's not likely to happen when all players are clustered around a single hoop but is more likely when players are scattered around the lawn and are possibly double banking. This has resulted in rulings 9.1 and 9.2 below.
9.1 When two sides play simultaneously or nearly simultaneously, so that two balls are in motion at the same time, the striker is deemed to have played first irrespective of the actual order in which the two strokes were played and the other side commits a non-striking fault. If the commission of the fault affects the outcome of the striker's play, the striker may choose to have all balls affected by the fault replaced in the positions they occupied before either stroke was played and to replay the turn. If the striker's ball runs a hoop in order or causes another ball so to do after being affected by the fault, the striker may choose to waive the fault and score the point and, in that case, the other side does not lose its next turn.
9.2 When both players of a side play simultaneously or nearly simultaneously so that two balls are in motion at the same time the striker's play stands and the partner has committed a non striking fault. No replay is permitted.
One question that has only been raised this year is the status of clips used for scoring. I am sure there are many who will claim they are part of the game and must be treated as such. However if one reads law 4, clips used for scoring are defined as an accessory and law 9 defines all accessories as outside agencies. There is no special mention of clips actually mounted on hoops and thus clips must be outside agencies at all times. A situation therefore can arise when a player jumps a ball through a hoop and in doing so makes contact with a clip left on the crown or upright of the hoop. Under law 9 the ball has been deflected by an outside agency and therefore cannot score a hoop point. As this can easily be avoided by removal of the clips before attempting a jump, the following rule has been issued.
9.3 Scoring clips, whether on the ground or on a hoop, are outside agencies (Law 9 (d)). As such they should be removed before a stroke is played if the ball is likely to hit a clip. If the clip is not removed and the ball does hit it then the ball stays where it has stopped, there is no replay, and no point is scored in that turn. If a clip which is dropped after the striker has played is hit by a moving ball then Rule 9 (f) applies.
If an outside agency, other than the scoring clip, is in place before a stroke is played, and the outside agency is hit by a moving ball, then Rule 9 (f) does not apply. The opponent has the choice of leaving the moving ball where it stopped or of placing it where the opponent felt it would have stopped if there had been no interference. In particular no replay is permitted.
Two problems with halfway law which have been recognised by the CA Laws Committee for some time have now been formally recognised by international rulings. The first may not appear obvious until you look at it in a particular context. Say for example blue clears red from hoop 2 and puts red in front of hoop 3 which leaves black with an easy shot for hoop 2. Red's owner not fancying a 14 yard clearance, deliberately steps on another ball, commits a non striking fault and thus misses his turn and black runs the hoop. Red then claims he is not offside as has not had a chance to move his ball and his opponent put him in his position. Ruling 10.1 prevents a player from benefiting from a deliberate fault. Playing off an opponent's ball towards the next hoop is a regular tactic if you cannot remove your opponent's ball from a scoring position. Effectively what the ruling is saying is that your ball is in contact with an opponent's ball, you have to move the opponent's ball when you play your shot in order to claim your ball reached its position as a result of contact with an opponent's ball. This is the type of shot that should be watched by a referee if the contact is not likely to be very obvious.
10.1 The exemption under Law 10 (b) (2) shall not apply to a ball whose owner misses a turn in that position because of a non-striking fault.
10.2 The exemption under Law 10 (b) (3) does not result from a ball being played away from an opponent ball with which it is in contact.
10.3 Reference to the play of the owner of an offside ball in Rule 10 (c) (2), includes play by the partner in a doubles game and play of either of the owner's balls in a singles game.
The final ruling in this issue covers the right of a referee to intervene in a game when he is not actually in charge of the game. The present laws allow a 'spectator referee' to intervene without being asked by the players if he sees or hears that play is not being lawfully continued after a fault has been committed or he hears one player giving incorrect information to an opponent on the laws. The 2008 laws also allowed a referee to intervene if he hears a player trying to claim a hoop point when the hoop has been run out of order. Our own Laws Committee were not happy with the introduction of this last condition as it allowed referees to choose the point at which they intervened and thus give the next player the advantage by being the first to approach the next correct hoop in order. The following ruling limits the time at which a referee can now intervene for an out of order hoop.
15.1 A referee should only intervene under Law 15 (b) (4) (iii) if he is personally watching the game and is able to stop play immediately after the stroke in which a hoop is incorrectly run.
Most players when first reading the Golf Croquet Laws book (if indeed they read it at all) will be somewhat mystified when they read the provisions for wrong ball play. There is however a simple way to resolve such issues.
It is a matter of application of the law that you can play as many wrong balls as you like and not a single thing will happen until a player or referee says "Stop, someone has played a wrong ball". (NOTE Spectators should keep quiet)
Don't bother to go through the process of working out when things went wrong, the law does not require this. Just start at who played which ball just before the game was stopped. At this point there are only three possible solutions for any wrong ball situation.
Full Penalty (FP) - The opponent of the player of the last ball chooses whether all balls moved in the last stroke are left where they lie or replaced where they were before the stroke was played and any points scored in that stroke are cancelled. The same opponent can then choose which of his own balls he wants to play to continue the game.
Reset and Replay (RAR) - All balls moved in the last stroke are replaced where they were before the stroke was played and any points scored in that stroke are cancelled. The stroke is then replayed with the correct ball.
Carry On Play (COP) - The player who played the last stroke has played a correct ball and condoned all previous errors. Play continues in the sequence set by the last ball and all points scored in previous strokes count.
| THE WAY TO DECIDE WHICH SOLUTION APPLIES |
| If the last shot was played by: |
| SINGLES | DOUBLES |
|
A Player who is entitled to play but plays a shot with an opponent's ball, FP applies | The player whose turn it is to play, as defined by the colour sequence from the previous ball played, but who plays with either his partner's or opponent's ball, FP applies |
| The same player who played the previous shot, FP applies | The same player who played the previous shot, FP applies |
| A player who plays one of his balls after his opponent has played a ball which does not belong to him, FP applies. (seems rather unfair that he should be penalised in this matter but that's what the law says) | A player playing a ball he is allowed to play from the side whose turn it is to play but plays a ball that does not follow the colour sequence of the previous ball played, FP applies unless the previous stroke was a wrong ball in which case COP applies |
| A player who plays one of his own balls out of sequence with the previous ball played but commits a striking fault, FP applies | A player who plays one of his own balls out of sequence with the previous ball played but commits a striking fault, FP applies |
| A player who is entitled to play and plays a ball he is entitled to play
but out of sequence with the previous colour played, RAR applies | All other cases COP applies |
NOTE.
You never have to go back more than one stroke prior to the last stroke
except in doubles where it is necessary to check the legality of the
penultimate stroke.
Ken's Next Seven Essential Basics for Golf Croquet
Knowing the rules, especially knowing when your opponent has made a foul shot. Knowing when to call a referee if there is the potential for a foul shot. Also be aware of the variation in rules for playing the wrong ball between singles and doubles matches.
Foresight
Think several turns ahead. Anticipate your opponent's moves. Always consider the variable preferable options.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of an opponent early. How far can they hit a ball, how accurately and from what distance can they run hoops. In doubles the strongest player should try to precede the opponents' best player.
Use other balls
Promote the partner ball using a cannon for good position or to run a hoop. Also play off an opponent ball to the next hoop where possible if the current hoop is hopeless cause.
Accuracy
Accuracy of placement is important. There are fewer varieties of shot than in Association so accuracy plays a bigger part than tactics. Accuracy of hoop running and hitting other balls are well worthy of practice.
Aggressiveness
Running hoops from greater distances is good practice as there is a smaller penalty to be paid for missing. Jump shots are well worth learning. As is running or hitting another ball a considerable distance.
Decisive Use of Extra Turns
If you have bisques then stopping an opponent running a hoop is not the best use for them. Unless in doing so it gives your partner ball a good chance to run the hoop. Using the bisque when playing first towards a new hoop to set up a near certain running of that hoop is preferable.
For those who've forgotten their first lessons in Golf Croquet:
Ken's 7 Essential Golf Croquet Basics
Guidelines to the seven principle requirements when playing Golf Croquet.
1 Most importantly learn to strike the ball cleanly. Think 'smooth swing' with a straight and clean follow through avoiding any jerky movements of your head or body.
2 Learn to place the ball exactly where you want it - direction and pace are both crucial. Consider also any gradient over which your ball will travel and how this will effect the pace or possible direction of your shot.
3 Practice rushing the ball to clear an opponent (knocking away an opponent's ball)
4 Practice the stop shot to clear your opponent and to leave yourself in good position
5 Running the hoop. Practice from varying distances. Also know how likely you are to run the hoop from variable ranges and angles to help you assess the risk of various shots.
6 Know the route - as shown below
7 How to best use bisques (any extra turns you may have according to your handicap)
Enfield Croquet Etiquette
When not playing
Never walk across the lawns unless you are playing a match. Other than when participating players invite a 'referee' to assist no one should enter the courts at any time under any circumstances. This includes Committee members.
Never walk on ground under repair, even to inspect it, unless you are the groundsman.
Never shout at, or to players from the sidelines. Your intent may be helpful but you will also unintentionally distract other players on other lawns.
Pre-match and post match
Arrive on time and always offer help to set out the courts.
Always ensure the lawns are cleared of any foxes mess prior to play - this is a hazard many seemingly never see (there is a trowel available close at hand for this very purpose). Likewise all unwanted litter is best removed prior to play.
Never wheel equipment across the lawns unless you are the groundsman. Trolleys should always be wheeled around the lawns on the pathways provided.
Players borrowing mallets should take personal responsibility for them and ensure their safe return to the clubhouse.
Players should take care to ensure that entire sets of balls are returned to the clubhouse via the trolleys. Similarly with pegs, clips and all other equipment used.
Please report any areas of the lawns that require repair to a Committee Member. Or if you feel able then simply repair it.
When Playing
Always play in groups of four whenever the lawns are busy.
Singles Competition games should not be played on Club afternoons if the lawns are busy.
Take great care not to damage the courts and report any damage please.
Never stand in the sight line of a player taking his or her shot.
Stand still and remain quiet whilst your fellow competitors take their shots.
Slow play is to the detriment of all. So please move briskly between shots without getting in the line of fire of your fellow competitors or other matches. Always be ready to play your shot in turn. Social chit-chat is fine but shouldn't ever be allowed to delay play.
Balls that travel off the lawns are best retrieved immediately, especially so if they disappear into undergrowth.
Always ask permission when playing across or through another match on the same lawn.
Always ask permission to mark the position of a ball belonging to another match.
Assist others to appreciate the etiquette required on Enfield's lawns.
Thank you for abiding by these simple but effective standards
Look very closely at the middle picture and try to figure it out