Croquet is Fun:

The Arizona Croquet Club has a long history of playing and enjoying the sport of croquet through organized tournament play.  The tournament events are pre-announced formats that encourage members to compete, improve playing skills, and fraternalize membership.  Our formats are varied both in skill levels and game rules.

Skill Levels:

The Pro-Am is specifically designed to encourage new players to team up with skilled players in a shortened 14 point version of the game (and a half size lawn).  The beginning players are given extra turns, 'bisques', which can be played in consecutive order.  The handicap bisques allow the weaker players to
assemble the balls onto and run a break around the court in one turn.

We offer handicap formats for the intermediate players which are played on full size lawns and 26 points.  Here the handicap rating is used to judge how many 'bisques' your team is allowed.  The handicap formats include both hi/low doubles and handicap singles.  The singles format strengthens the players individual thinking and strategic play.  In singles, you play two balls instead of just one. (Review club handicaps.)

In the advanced formats, the players are challenged to compete at the highest level.  These formats are played level, without the use of bisques, and involve rules which limit the number of hoops the player can make on his first all-round break.  At the highest level of play, these games often involve developing the skill of 'peeling', whereby the player puts its partner ball through some of its hoops during the turn.

We play informally during the week (every other Wednesday) and on weekends to practice our skills.

Game rules:

The ACC began before the USCA, founded by Jack Osborn, created the American rules version of the game.  The ACC began playing the American rules in the early 80's and hosted its first Arizona Open in 1983 in order to attract the players from the east coast.  We have been playing it ever since although some players have shifted their emphasis back to the Association game.

The Association laws of croquet were developed in England along with many of its Commonwealth countries including Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.  The Croquet Association in England administers the rules and associations of clubs throughout Great Britain.  The American Croquet Association (ACA) was founded to organize and promote this version of the game in America.  All international competitions play this version of the game.

There are a variety of other croquet rules throughout America (including nine-wicket, clay court, golf and shortened versions of 6 wicket).

Our club actively pursues the development of its players through this rich variety of events.

The Kraft (club) Court:

The club court is located in Ren and Carol Kraft's backyard at 6022 N. 64th Place in Paradise Valley.  The court can be found at the end of  64th place which is one street east of the 4 way stop at McDonald and Invergorden (map1, and see close in map2).  Most of our tournaments are held at this lawn although sometimes we are invited to play on some of the other private lawns.

Other Courts:

There are a few private croquet courts around the valley which have hosted tournaments for the Arizona Croquet Club.  Some of the existing courts are Fournier, Ross, Strand, Gainey and Venture Out.  Many courts no longer exist including Patmor, Cline, Barber and Chatham.

A few resorts offer croquet courts to varying standards: Biltmore, Wigwam, Phoenecian and Enchantment.

We are thankful to the people that have lent us the use of their facilities in the past.  Please help support them if you get a chance.

Calendar of Events:  click here for Schedule of Events

History: