About Us

News & Events

How We Play

About Dementia

Store

Contact Us

The modern version of croquet originated in about the 14th century and was played by French peasants who used wooden mallets to hit wooden balls through wickets made from willow branches. The game became popular in the 1800s and spread throughout the British colonial empire.

At the turn of the 20th century, a group of Americans disagreed with the new English rules that outlawed mallets with rubber heads and the introduction of the 6-wicket court. Americans designed their own version of 9-wicket croquet.

Almost anyone, at any level, can play croquet with modifications.

Modified court size is optimal (40 feet by 50 feet). If you don’t have the space for that, use the diagram at right as a guide to the proportions for your available space. Simple and consistent play enables people with dementia to participate and enjoy croquet.

A Simple Guide to Playing Facilitated Croquet

This version of croquet is officially known as golf croquet. While there are several versions of this game, we have found that golf croquet is the most accessible and enjoyable for all of our friends who are living with dementia.

Keep it simple and have fun.

The basic rules:
• The goal is to score most of the seven available points.
• The higher score wins the game.
• Use black and blue balls vs. red and yellow.
• With only two players, you can each play 2 balls, or each play just one ball.
• Each player gets one shot per turn.
• Play clockwise through hoops 1 through 6.
• Once a wicket is scored by any player, then all players move on to the next wicket.
• You can play through a wicket counter-clockwise but no point will be awarded.
• You cannot go more than halfway to the next wicket until the current wicket has been scored.
• If a player’s ball goes beyond half way, then their next shot starts at the penalty box (either red X).
• All balls must pass beyond hoop 6 before any player makes a shot at the center stake for the final point.
• No sending is allowed (putting your foot on the ball and "sending" your opponents ball to the next town).
• If a ball goes out of play, it re-enters where it left the court.
• Help each other - hinder your opponents.

Let the Games Begin!

What people are saying:

“Jiminy Wicket is a wonderful way to strengthen the connections between people with dementia and their families."
– Penny Hibberd, Director
Dementia Services Development Centre
Canterbury Christ Church University