Thinking about building a bocce ball court in your yard or at your business? You’re in the right place – I’ll walk through the steps on how to build a bocce court from scratch.
Bocce courts are really fun to have around when hanging out with family and friends, and I really enjoy having one of my own.
However, bocce court construction is not as simple as I first expected when I started building mine. I’ve worked on a few bocce court design projects now and there are some things that I wish I knew before building a DIY bocce court.
Fortunately, I did a fair bit of research first before testing out this methodology myself. Below I’ll walk you through all the steps to plan and build a bocce ball court like the one I built below.
Determine the Location and Size of the Bocce Court
Before anything else, you need to decide on the location and size of your DIY bocce ball court.
Most homeowners who build a bocce court place it in their backyard. However, before finalizing your decision, make sure you’re not picking a place that you’ll need to use for other purposes in future. Once you install the bocce court, assuming you do it right, it will be a lot of work to move later so choose your location carefully.
I recommend also choosing a location with good drainage to minimize regular maintenance needs – you don’t want your bocce court to be in a low spot where it will collect water.
As for the court size, the United States Bocce Federation states that official bocce courts must be almost 90 feet long by 13 feet wide. However, it is likely that you will not have enough space for a regulation court.
I don’t think I know anyone who actually built a full size regulation court for their home. Even bocce clubs tend to shrink the courts a little bit. And, if you are just looking for a little friendly competition in your backyard, you definitely don’t need a full size court. Bigger courts also significantly add to the cost of time and material it will take to construct them.
Fortunately, bocce lends itself to some flexibility when it comes to court size. Feel free to build a playing surface that will fit your yard. Just make sure it has an aspect ratio of 1:5 or 1:7. In our recent project we went with 40 feet long by 8 feet wide and it worked great. You could scale it up from here or even make it a little shorter, but personally I wouldn’t recommend going narrower than around 8 feet wide.
Prepare the Materials and Tools You Need
Now that you established the bocce court location and size, it is time to gather the materials and tools required to build it. These will largely depend on the court size, budget, and personal preference. So below, I will only include the general items you will likely need in bocce court construction.
Materials:
- Gravel for drain rock (see separate article on materials)
- Base rock (see separate article on materials)
- Decomposed granite (see separate article on materials)
- Crushed oyster shell & oyster shell flour (see separate article on materials)
- While I recommend oyster shells, some people just use decomposed granite, sand, or even grass or artificial turf. Whatever you choose, it’s really important that it drains well)
- French drain pipe (either hard plastic, or perforated plastic tubing)
- Metal or wooden stakes and string for marking corners
- String for marking corners (marking paint to mark where you need to dig can also help)
- Pressure treated lumber for the wood frame (I recommend using not smaller than 6×6 inch lumber)
- Landscape fabric
- Decking screws
- Metal stakes for pinning bottom row of lumber to the ground
Tools:
- Tape measure
- Hammer
- Shovel
- Wheelbarrow
- Landscaping rake
- Laser level (optional but highly recommended)
- Plate Compactor (this can be rented from local hardware store)
- Circular saw
- Drill
- Framing square
- Safety equipment (safety glasses)
- Small tractor or small excavator with front loader (optional but highly recommended)
You can order most of these items on Amazon or pick up at your local hardware store. However, you can also opt to rent some of the more expensive tools, especially if you don’t need them for other projects and will only use them once. Rental prices can vary a lot based on the store, location, and rental duration so make sure to shop around, and be realistic about how long you’ll need them.
Establish Bocce Court Dimensions
The next step in how to build a bocce court is to establish its dimensions.
Again, you do not have to construct regulation-size bocce courts. You can make the playing surface any size you want to accommodate your backyard.
So even if you own a small yard, it is still possible to build a bocce court. I have seen courts as small as 22 feet long by 6 feet wide that were still fun for a casual game if that is all that you can fit on your lawn.
I personally prefer a court that is at least 8 feet wide by 40 feet long.
Start by measuring the length of the court using a tape measure. Begin at any desired corner. Just do not forget to take into account measurements for the wood border around the court. 6×6 lumber has a real dimension of 5.5 inches wide. So if you want the interior of your court to be 8 feet wide, you would need to add another 11 inches to get the exterior width (since you will have two 5.5 inch bordering either side. Then, place a stake into the ground to mark this corner.
Proceed to measure again lengthwise. Drive another stake into the ground to mark this line. Since you’ll be digging later, you want the actual stakes to be located outside the perimeter of the bocce court, and then use string to mark where the edges will be. Continue marking with stakes and string all the way around the bocce court base.
After that, measure the width on both sides using the string you placed. Make sure that you position it at a 90-degree angle.
Finally, double-check the lines to see if they are straight. You must also review the measurements to ensure accuracy. You do not want to move forward with the project if there is a risk of potential problems. There are lots of instructions online about how to make sure your string lines are square, so check out some youtube videos on that if you aren’t sure how to do it.
In the image below, you can ignore the gravel trench with the white pipes, as this was a specific issue we had to work around for this project. Try to avoid placing your bocce court over existing utility or drainage pipes, and always make sure to call to have utilities marked before you dig for safety reasons.
Level the Surface Under the Playing Area
After establishing the court dimensions, it is time to level out your bocce ball court. Remember that the playing area must have a flat surface for smooth gameplay.
The first thing to do is to excavate around two to six inches of dirt. It can also help to dig trenches in the area where you will be building the court border depending on your soil situation. But the main goal here is to remove any grass and enough of the top soil so that you have a firm base to build on.
Place some of this excavated dirt on the side. Do not dispose of it or move it too far because you will use it later on.
Now, grab the rake to flatten the area that you just dug out. You can also opt to use a laser level to ensure a flat and even surface.
Regardless of which tool you use, build the court slightly above the ground. Doing so will prevent flooding and make it easy to add an optional drain, which I will discuss in detail below.
Add Optional French Drain
If you built your bocce court in an area that tends to collect water, you might want to consider adding a French drain.
This type of drain refers to an underground pipe fitted with holes. These allow the groundwater to seep inside the pipe and eventually be drained out the end.
If you want to dig a spot for the French drain, you need to remove a few more inches of dirt. Use a shovel to excavate near the center of the court. Doing so will create a slight slope to encourage drainage. The location also matters because the goal is to drain the water at the backend of the court (drain to a side that slopes away from the bocce court so the water can flow out and away from the court).
Once you are done digging, install the pipe in the center down the full length of the court. Make sure you position the end just slightly beyond the bocce court’s edge.
You might need to add an extra pipe beyond the court for proper drainage, depending on the layout of your yard.
Build the Frame of the Court
The next step in constructing a bocce ball court is to build its frame.
You want to start by marking the court using strings. Marking paint can also help for rough digging but you really want to use string to mark the exact outside edges of the frame for your bocce court.
Then, cut lumber or boards to meet the dimensions of your bocce ball court. You can use a circular saw to achieve straight and even cuts.
Lay down the boards on the area that you plotted out. Depending on your slope, stack two or more boards to achieve the necessary height and prevent bocce balls from rolling out during gameplay.
Then, position the boards against the wooden post. Proceed to screw one side of the board into place with an exterior-grade decking screw.
Use a level on each side to ensure even placement. Once it reads level, you can screw the other end of the board in place. These steps will create the side rails for your bocce court’s borders.
Follow the same process above for installing end rails. Then, screw through the end rails into the side rails.
Now, you want to backfill some of the dirt or soil that you have kept before around the wooden border. Doing so will further secure the frame of the court.
Install the Gravel Layer
Now that the bocce court frame is done, you can start laying down materials.
The first layer of the court sits deep in the ground. It usually consists of large gravel to encourage proper drainage.
If you have added a French drain, you need to cover the top of this drain. If not, consider digging two to three inches to put in the gravel.
Then, level the gravel. Once there is a relatively flat surface, use a compactor to pack the materials down firmly. As much as possible, remove any high spots with a shovel.
Install the layer of base rock / road base
Base rock is a mix of rocks and sand that compacts really well. You want to add it in thin layers and wet and compact the base rock with a plate compactor between each layer.
Install the landscape fabric
Finally, install landscape fabric over the top of the gravel and road base layer to prevent weed growth and contain the surface materials that will be added later. Do not forget to staple it to the side rails.
Some people skip the landscape fabric, and some put it like a sock directly around their drain pipes. However, there are mixed opinions on this and it depends to some extent on your soil type. We use the landscape fabric at this stage for the reasons noted above.
Put in the Crushed Layer of Decomposed Granite
The next layer to work on your bocce ball court plan is the crushed materials. I recommend decomposed granite for this.
Again, make sure to level out this layer. It is also best to use a compactor for a firmly packed decomposed granite (it may not compact quite as easily as the roadbase, depending on the available rock in your area).
Once you are confident that the crushed stone layer is completely evened out and compacted as much as you can, you can move on to the next step of building a bocce court.
Add the crushed oyster shells
The next layer of the bocce ball court can use various materials, depending on your budget and preference. However, I recommend using crushed oyster shells for the top layer.
This particular material provides better drainage and smooth movement. Crushed oyster shells also include calcium carbonate. It can effectively fuse every individual piece together to create a hard and compact surface.
When installing this top layer of your bocce ball court plan, make sure it does not exceed two inches deep. It’s better to aim for just around an inch of the material, you don’t want it to be too thick.
Once you put down this layer, make sure it is completely flat and level before wrapping up your work.
Try adding a little moisture to the oyster shell. Doing so can pack the material more effectively.
Add the oyster flour
The final layer of the bocce ball court will be oyster flour, which is basically really small leftover bits of crushed up oyster shells. Once you compact it and wet it, the oyster flour will get in between the bits of shell to form a more continuous surface.
I like to use a hand tamper tool to walk around and tamp down the oyster shells and flour. Get it slightly damp before tamping it.
Once you tamp down the oyster flour and shells, give the whole court a good soaking, it will help push the flour down between the shells and they will start to meld together as they dry. You may need to repeat this process 2-3 times when first installing the court, or if you ever need to resurface in the future.
Here is what it looks like after wetting:
How to Maintain Bocce Ball Court Construction?
Once you build a bocce ball court in your yard, you can play the sport anytime you like.
However, if you want to ensure the court will last you for a long time, it is a must to maintain the playing area regularly.
Expect that some weed seeds will find their way onto the court surface. I like to avoid using a bunch of chemicals around my house so I don’t use herbicide but just pull out any weeds I see while they are still small.
Expect that debris will start to accumulate over time. You also have to take into account that bocce balls usually leave roll marks and dents. These marks are especially obvious if you use oyster shell flour or sand for the top layer.
Thus, you will want to keep the surface clean and level all the time using a rake and the hand tamper shown above. A lawn roller can also be very helpful for this.
From time to time you may need to do a bit of a “reset” on the surface layer. If so, you would do something like the below, but see our separate article on court maintenance for more detail.
Start by scarifying the court using a lute. This tool helps you break down debris that has gotten mixed up with the top layer material of the bocce court.
Then, remove any excess dirt that has accumulated at the edge of the court. Do not get rid of it completely, though. Leave a little dirt in the bocce court and pull it away from the edge using a flat-nose shovel.
Next, grab a drag broom. Run it over the court to flatten out the surface after scarifying it.
Then, you can opt to water down the court using a hose. Doing so can help you determine the location of any dents because the water will remain there longer.
If it doesn’t feel level enough, you might want to repeat the steps above. You can also opt to top up more crushed oyster shells or sand to the surface to fill in any low spots.
Those who have a natural turf bocce court will need to follow a different approach to maintenance. For one, you need to mow the grass regularly to keep the playing surface flat and even. It is also best to remove excess debris, such as leaves, twigs, and rocks, which can affect gameplay.
Finally, you can apply a deck sealer on the frame every few years to ensure its longevity.
Conclusion
Bocce court construction is not as simple as you might think. You need to factor in the size of your yard and scale your bocce court plan accordingly before building your court. Documenting this project took a lot of work, so I really hope this article helped you understand what it takes to set up your own bocce court!
If you go to the trouble of building out your own bocce court, add a scoreboard and throw some luxury bocce balls in the mix too. Reward yourself and make it a luxe experience.
