Backyard croquet is a sport that can be enjoyed by men and women, young and old alike. The object of the game is to hit a ball through a series of nine wickets with a mallet. Croquet requires a fairly large open area to play - you will need at least 3,000 square feet of level space.

Croquet is easiest to play on a well-manicured lawn similar to a putting green. This space could serve double duty as an area for pets and kids to run around, or as a place to play catch or kick a soccer ball.

Croquet Court Dimensions:

• Official: 100 feet by 50 feet
• Backyard: approximately 70 feet by 35 feet

Contributing Author: Scott Cohen, contributing writer for Landscaping Network and owner of The Green Scene