Welcome to Southport & Birkdale Croquet Club
Croquet is one of the finest outdoor sports. It is a friendly game combining ball skills as well as tactics, it’s relatively easy to understand, and it’s fun to play.
We are always pleased to welcome new members, of any age or level of experience from beginner to advanced, highly competitive or someone looking for a friendly and extremely social game.
If you are an experienced croquet player and are thinking of joining or playing at our club, please click on the “About Us” link to learn more about us and how to get in touch.
And if you are considering croquet for the first time, see below for a brief introduction to the game and then click on the “Taking Part” link to find out how you can get started.
Below is a short video introduction to the sport of Croquet
Why play croquet?
Croquet relies on touch, accuracy and tactics rather than speed and strength, so it’s playable by anyone of any age on equal terms. There are several different forms of croquet, but the two main ones played in the UK are Association Croquet and Golf Croquet.
The two games use the same equipment, and are are played on the same size lawns with same layout of hops and peg. Golf Croquet is a game of accurate ball placement and straight hitting, so has much in common with golf. Association Croquet requires the building of breaks, and so is similar to snooker or pool. Both games reward strategic planning and clever tactics, and both have a handicap system that allows players of all standards to compete with each other on an equal footing.
Many people enjoy playing both forms of the game as the skills learned in one form may be applied to the other. Both forms of the game may be played as singles or as doubles.
Some players start very young, but many take it up after retiring from more energetic pursuits. It can be as skilful as you want it to be: advanced players can take it very seriously indeed, but most club members see it as a relaxing and friendly way of passing an afternoon.