Can Bocce Be Played on Grass?

Can Bocce Be Played on Grass featured photo

Bocce is a flexible game, not just in rules and gameplay but also in playing courts and surfaces. Can bocce be played on grass? This is a common question for anyone planning their bocce court project in their yard.

Yes, you can easily play bocce on grass. It’s a common and popular choice as it’s cost-efficient and aesthetically pleasing. If you already have grass growing in your yard, all you need to do is set up the court parameters. But even if you don’t, it’s easy to plant some grass seeds and wait for them to grow.

Natural grass as a bocce ball court surface entails a lot of maintenance. So if that’s not for you, artificial turf is a good alternative.

Playing Surfaces Affect How You Play Bocce Ball

Bocce is a beloved game by millions worldwide. Though its modern form finds its birthplace in the heart of Italy, many others in different parts of the world have fallen in love with the game.

One major factor that attracts millions of fans and players from around the world is the game’s flexibility. Though there are official rules and standard gameplay, players can change these for casual play.

Whether you’re playing officially or casually, the goal stays the same: be the winning team by getting your team’s ball closer to the target than the opposing team.

Another way playing bocce ball is flexible is through the court. Though there is an official court size (86.92 feet long and 13.12 feet wide according to the United States Bocce Federation), courts can be smaller for casual games.

There also isn’t one set requirement when it comes to bocce court surfaces. While bocce (and still is) traditionally played on a crushed stone and oyster blend surface, modern games have seen more court surface options. These include packed dirt, clay, grass, synthetic turf, sand, gravel, and poured liquid.

With so many choices, what you use for your court will greatly affect your games. Some court surfaces may offer a smoother rolling surface than others.

So depending on what surface you’re playing on, you will most likely need to adjust your throwing techniques to score precise points.

Can Bocce Be Played on Grass Bocce Ball Court?

Yes, as we’ve mentioned above, bocce can easily be played on grass. It is one of the most common bocce court surfaces there is.

A natural grass surface looks good on any court, no matter what size you decide yours to be.

A grass court is also a cost-efficient option for homes with natural grass already growing in their backyards. If you do, simply frame your court dimensions on and around it.

Even if your backyard doesn’t already have growing grass, you can easily grow them by planting grass seeds and waiting for them to grow.

When playing bocce on grass

While natural grass is a popular option, it does come with a few cons you might want to keep in mind.

For one, a grass surface requires a little bit more maintenance. You’d have to ensure that the surface is flat and level for fun and fair gameplay. You’d also have to mow the surface regularly as tall and uneven grass can hinder smooth tosses and rolls.

Grass can also wear down quickly, especially with heavy foot traffic and impact from the bocce balls.

Additionally, a grass bocce court surface may not be the best choice if you live somewhere with regular rain. This won’t typically offer good drainage and would get muddy with water and render it unusable if you want to play after it rains.

An Alternative to Natural Grass: Artificial Turf for Bocce Court

If you like the look and appearance of grass on your court but don’t want to deal with all the maintenance it entails, then you might want to consider the alternative: artificial or synthetic turf.

Artificial turf is a more manageable alternative to natural grass. It’s very low-maintenance. You won’t have to worry about regularly mowing the court surface because it isn’t alive.

Synthetic turf has a longer lifespan than many other court surface options. And unlike natural grass, it can withstand foot traffic and rain.

When playing bocce on synthetic turf

Though generally very low maintenance, you do have to clean and disinfect the surface once every few seasons or so to prevent bacterial growth. But if you don’t want even that, there are now modern models with antibacterial technology as well.

Weeds are also something to consider as you might find a few growing through.

It’s also important to keep in mind that artificial turf is a much more expensive upfront investment than other court surface options. But while it is more expensive to install, it will help you save more in the long run because it doesn’t require much maintenance or replacement any time soon.

Conclusion

Can bocce be played on grass? This is a common query for bocce ball game fans and enthusiasts thinking of building their own bocce ball court. Bocce courts can have various surfaces so this is a very valid question.

Yes, bocce can be played on grass. It’s a popular and cost-efficient option for many, especially if you already have grass growing in your backyard. Now all you’d have to do is build the court’s dimension around it. Though popular, natural grass on bocce courts does entail a lot of work put into maintenance, so that’s one thing to keep in mind.

If you like the appearance of natural grass on bocce ball courts but don’t want to deal with the maintenance, an artificial turf bocce ball court might be more up your alley.

Related Articles