The Best Surface for a Bocce Court

When deciding the best material for your bocce court, the essential things to consider are its size and location, drainage, maintenance needs, and of course your available budget.

Below, I have summed up the best surfaces for bocce courts based on my experience and research, plus some good backup options that could be the best fit based on how the above factors apply in your situation.

close up of bocce court surface

I have played bocce ball on countless courts that use different materials and I can say for sure that the game can still be a lot of fun on many different court types.

However, when I started building bocce courts myself, I made it a point to research the best way to set up a bocce ball court that will last a long time whether in the comfort of a backyard or a fun feature at a venue such as a hotel, winery, or restaurant.

Below, I will discuss the different types of surfaces to use when constructing your own bocce court. Each material will include pros and cons, so you can choose the right product for your needs.

I will also walk you through the factors to look into before locking in your choice.

Finally, a handy FAQ section awaits you below. I’ve gotten a lot of questions on this, so hopefully this section answers some of the most common questions about bocce court surfaces.

What is the Best Material for Bocce Court Surfaces?

If you want to set up your own bocce court, choosing the best surface materials is essential. Ideally, you want a traditional bocce court surface that uses crushed stones. However, you can go with other off-the-beat options that are still durable and low-maintenance.

Below are the different types of bocce court surfaces to consider.

1. Oyster Shell + Oyster Flour

Crushed oyster shell combined with oyster shell flour is the most traditional bocce court surfacing material and is my favorite option, hands down.

Similar to sand, this best material for bocce court offers good drainage. However, it holds a firm surface much better than sand which makes bocce balls roll better down the court.

What’s cool about crushed oyster shells is that they contain calcium carbonate. So when you tamp them down into a place and wet them, the shells undergo a process of recalcification. In short, the individual pieces will fuse together to create a hard and compact surface.

Depending on where you live, it can take some extra effort to track down and bring in the material. Oyster shells also require some regular grooming, raking, and tamping to keep the surface in place and level.

But if you’re going to the trouble and expense to build a high-quality bocce court, I definitely recommend considering this traditional bocce court surface material. Overall, an oyster shell is among the best surfaces for bocce court construction, you can read more about the types of oyster shell we recommend and ideas on where to get it here.

Pros:

  • This loose-fill surface is optimized for drainage
  • It creates a hard and compact surface that is extremely porous
  • It has a topcoat that allows regular to fast play

Cons:

  • Oyster shells might be harder to track down depending on where you live
  • It requires occasional raking to keep the shells in place
  • If you happen to have lots of wildlife like turkeys around, they sometimes like to eat the oyster shells and can leave scratches in your court that you need to smooth back out

2. Natural Grass

You can play bocce ball on natural grass. So if you already have grass growing in your backyard, you can conveniently use this space to create your own bocce ball court. If not, you can plant grass seeds to help fill in patches of grass.

green and red bocce balls on natural grass

Make sure the surface is long and narrow enough. Regulation size court dimensions are 90 feet by 13 feet. However, the chances are that you will be sticking with casual play instead of professional games. Thus, you can make the bocce ball court as short or as long as you want, depending on the available space in your backyard.

You might also want to ensure that the surface of the ground is level. And it is best to keep the grass cut as short as possible. Uneven and long grass will interfere with the movement of the bocce balls.

Despite these benefits, natural grass is difficult to maintain. You will need to mow it regularly for smooth gameplay. You also have to consider how to drain the bocce court surface, especially if you live in an area where it often rains.

With that said, natural grass is not as high maintenance as some other surfaces for bocce courts. It is my top choice if you want a cost-efficient way to use your available backyard space.

Pros:

  • A cost-efficient bocce court surface
  • It is relatively easy to construct
  • The grass surface is soft, which makes it safe for children

Cons:

  • It requires regular mowing
  • Natural grass takes some time to drain completely 

3. Artificial Turf

If you like the feel and look of natural grass but prefer something more manageable, then an artificial turf surface might meet your needs.

This best material for bocce court is among the lowest maintenance surface options on the market. It does not require you to mow or water regularly. It just needs occasional cleaning once every season to prevent bacteria.

Additionally, synthetic turf offers a longer lifespan compared to other traditional bocce court surfaces. Since it is not alive, it does not wilt or become dormant, unlike some natural grass bocce courts. 

a bocce court made of green artificial turf

Furthermore, artificial grass can retain the same thickness and green color all year. Thus, it can keep a lush and inviting look on your outdoor bocce court.

Finally, some models of artificial turf surfaces feature antimicrobial technology. It can minimize the risk of getting infections from this bocce court material.

However, before constructing your artificial turf bocce court, it is best to consider the downsides of this material. First, it requires a higher upfront investment than other surfaces. It can cost you a lot, especially if you want to build a regulation-size bocce court. Second, weeds can grow through the synthetic grass if you are not careful.

Despite these, an artificial grass bocce court can still save you money in the long run since it is low maintenance. There is no need to use expensive fertilizers, herbicides, and other treatments.

Pros:

  • It does not require regular maintenance, unlike other traditional bocce court surface options
  • It retains the same thickness for fast-paced gameplay
  • Synthetic grass can last you longer than other materials

Cons:

  • Artificial turf is expensive to install upfront
  • This bocce court material is susceptible to weeds

4. Clay

bocce court with clay surface

Clay is a traditional bocce court material with a firm surface. This material allows minimal bounce for the bocce balls. Hence, it can help facilitate fast gameplay.

Clay is also among the softest surfaces for bocce courts. It gives players a soft and comfortable feeling when playing bocce. It can ultimately reduce the impact on your joints and prevent injuries. 

Moreover, clay surfaces usually come in two different varieties. These include the traditional red clay and a green clay surface. The red uses a coarse mix made from brick, and the green is a crushed metabasalt. 

However, clay bocce courts are difficult to maintain. They are not weather-resistant, which makes them unsuitable for playing even after a quick rain. Clay is also relatively expensive to install in your backyard, even if it is a common material.

But if you are the kind of player who wants to prioritize safety, then clay is a good option to consider. It is among the best surfaces for bocce court.

Pros:

  • A firm surface that offers minimal bounce
  • The soft clay material can prevent injuries
  • It is available in two forms to give you more options

Cons:

  • It is not weather-resistant, which makes it difficult to maintain
  • Clay bocce courts are relatively expensive to install

5. Sand

Sand is a loose-fill surface for bocce courts. That simply means it features tiny, individual components compared to the previous materials. Thus, it is optimized for drainage and movement.

Another benefit of a sand bocce court is its inexpensive cost. It is widely available and easy to acquire, so it is less costly to build than other surface options.

Sand can also help reduce the bounce of the ball. Hence, it allows you to facilitate fast play, ideal for both casual and professional bocce games.

But like most surfaces for a bocce ball court, ensure the area is level and even. It must also be deep enough to accommodate the fall depth, which is around 12 inches for sand courts.

You also need to rake the court after each game. Doing so can take some time and effort, which ultimately slows down play.

With that said, sand is still among the best materials for bocce court. It is my top recommendation if you are on a budget.

Pros:

  • Sand is inexpensive and widely available
  • It offers minimal bounce for faster play
  • It can easily drain

Cons:

  • It requires you to rake the court after each use
  • It might cost you time and effort in maintenance

How to Choose the Best Surface for Bocce Court 

With a number of surface options for your bocce ball court, it can be quite overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs.

Below, I will walk you through the factors to look into when shopping for the best material for a bocce ball court. Hopefully, this buying guide can help you make a wise purchasing decision.

Size

One of the first things to consider when choosing the best material for a bocce ball court is the size of your backyard. Determine the exact dimensions since regulation-size courts might not fit the empty space you have.

Consider building a court that is around 60 feet in length. This particular size is considered acceptable for casual bocce play.

Location

You also have to consider the exact location where you are planning to construct the bocce ball court.

It is best to find an area that is near side walls or fences to create the court borders. You can also work with a narrow side yard to determine the exact playing area.

But regardless of wherever you decide to set the court up, you need to ensure the ground is completely even and level. Remember that a flat surface allows for true ball roll regardless of the court’s surface material. 

Drainage

If you live in an area where it occasionally rains, you need to make sure the court surface has good drainage. Otherwise, you risk damaging the bocce ball court.

You can construct a French drain around the perimeter to minimize this risk. Doing so will also ensure minimal maintenance.

Budget

The last factor to consider before buying the best bocce court material is your budget. Determine how much money you can spend upfront. Then, think about how easy it is to maintain your chosen surface because it is an additional expense.

As previously discussed, some bocce ball court surface options require occasional maintenance than others. Hence, you might end up spending more money to keep them in optimal condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make a bocce court surface?

Building a bocce court from scratch requires careful planning. One of the first things you need to consider is the area. It must be flat and level to prevent the bocce balls from rolling in odd directions. 

You should also ensure the court has a long rectangle shape. It does not matter if it does not meet regulation size court requirements as long as you have enough space for throwing balls.

Once you have finalized the location, you can consider the other factors in constructing a bocce court. These include the borders, drainage, and maintenance, among other things.

What is the base material for a bocce ball court?

The base layer of your bocce court must consist of large stones. Make sure to dig the ground and lay a layer of one-inch stones throughout the entire bocce court. These materials can help stabilize the top layer to last you for a long time. They can also minimize future court maintenance.

What size is a regulation bocce ball court?

Regulation-size bocce ball courts have a dimension of 90 feet long and 13 feet wide. However, backyard courts tend to be smaller than this size. You can still build a court that is only 40 or 50 feet long, which is acceptable for casual games.

Conclusion

Bocce ball is a fun way to spend time with family and friends. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to build a court in your backyard, so the game is always accessible.

You can choose from several materials for the court surface. These include grass, artificial turf, clay, sand, and my favorite traditional surface which is crushed oyster shell and oyster shell flour. But no matter what surface you choose for court installation, it is essential to maintain your court and set up the appropriate drainage right from the time of installation. You can find more details about how to design and build your own bocce court in this article.

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