New-York tribune., 1901-05-19
OLF-CROQUET.
\ NEW OUTDOOR PASTIME THAT IS
MEETING WITH FAVOR


outdoor game has been invented which
combines some of the features of golf and GRO
quet. and promises to become popular with peo-
pie who object to the long golf course and for
whom croquet is too tame. 1t was introduced in
Washington by Commander Henry McCrea. U.
:. y, short time ago. and since then many
golf-croquet fields have been laid out in various
parts of the country. The game possesses the
advantages that it may be played on a lawn of
any shape and without much preparation All
that is necessary is to level the ground for a
few feet near the wickets. Only one club is re-
qulred, and the caddies may be dispensed with.
The ball is cheap, and not easily lost The
player gets the same kind of exercise as in golf
and the accurate play of croquet is requisite,
while the same element of luck comes in play.
The controlling features of golf-croquet are:
good estimation of distance and the force re-
quired to cover that distance; accuracy in driv-
ing a ball over the grass or lifting it through
the air to clear obstacles. The course on any
lawn or field depends on the shape of the place
and is marked by Wckets similar TO those used
in croquet, but stronger. and by numbered flags
No account need be taken of the distances be-
tween these wickets. 1t is even deemed better
TO have them varying. A spot or tree must be
chosen near the centre of the lawn, and in plac-
ing the wickets they must face this centre as
all shots made through vickets are toward the
centre. The wickets also placed that the
next one in sequence is in plain view of the last
one passed, that No. 8 may be seen from No
>, and No from No. > Eight wickets are usu-
ally placed, but there may be less. and in
golf. one may go over the field twice The ball
is Of wood. two and three-quarter inches in di-
ameter. light and tough the object being TO get
force and speed without much momentum and
to be sure that it will float The mallets have
longer handles than the croquet mallets and
the end of the striking part is bevelled that
it viii lift the bali clear of the turf
In the booklet published by A. G. Spalding &
Bros. on this subject, the following rules for
playing the game are given:
1t may be played by two or four people. and
thoS" having started over the course more MAJ
start without confusion Prcsuming there ar<
two players. A and B" A" starts by placing
the ball on the place chosen for the start and
carefully estimating the distance endeavors TO
send his ball as close possible to the first
wicket: this is stroke for A. b" then fol-
lows with his stroke l. Now going to whaI/
their balls are. the one farthest from the wicks.
plays stroke - and if he is still farthest ayvay
ne plays stroke =, but if stroke carries him
closer than his opponent. the opponent PLAYS his
strok" :. This Is continued until both PLAYERS
get through the wicket. the number OF strokes
necessary being carefully kept by each. If a
payer can strike with his ball the other ball
his stroke Is free. and not counted. The other
BAN can be replaced or left, and he can either
play from where the ball lies or take it TO any
spot within the radius Of a malIet's head fro.r
the bah struck. In no case can he assume -
have pass d through wicket. In playing with
iouT players, Two play as partners like in golf
using one ball and alternating strokes Having
passed the first wicket, the others are made in
the same way
The game may be played to count by the total
number Of strokes necessary to go through the
wickets, in which case the player making all
wickets with the least number of rokes wins.
or it may bee played by wckets in which case
the wicket counts for the player who makes il
IN the least number Of strokes, and where play
eTs are equal as TO strokes for 4 wicket no ac-
count Is taken by either player for that wicket
one game Is called all strokes the other All
Nickets.'