Many bocce enthusiasts have decided they’d want their bocce court right in their backyard. Part of constructing your bocce court is deciding which materials would best fit your needs. Thus the question if bocce ball can be played on dirt court comes up frequently.
Bocce ball can be played on a dirt court surface. It is one of the most common and popular court surfaces out there. It’s generally readily available in many landscaping stores and comes at a relatively cheaper price than other options. This is a loose court surface and would need extensive upkeep so that’s one other thing to remember.
When you’re constructing your court, you’d need to remember that you have many other options other than packed dirt. Consider what your needs are and personal circumstances and choose which works best for you.
Bocce Court Surfaces
Bocce ball is a universally loved game. It’s easy to learn yet could entertain players for hours on end.
The game’s flexibility and simple rules of gameplay are some of the reasons it has amassed millions of fans and players and has instantly become one of the world’s most popular ball games.
To start a game, all you need are players, one small pallino, and eight larger bocce balls. The goal is to simply get your team’s bocce ball closer to the target than the opposing team.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, you might have already noticed that courts can be made from various surfaces. And if you’ve played on a few variations, then you already know that the surface you’re playing on affects your gameplay and how the balls roll.
Many bocce enthusiasts have taken up the challenge of building their very own court right in their backyard. This gives them an accessible playing court.
One of the most important things one should keep in mind is the bocce court surface.
There is not one set surface material requirement when it comes to official bocce courts. Relaxed and regulation bocce courts enjoy a wide variety of playing surfaces:
Can Bocce Be Played on a Dirt Court Surface?
Yes, bocce can be played on a dirt court surface.
One of the most common surfaces is packed dirt. The good news is, that it’s readily available in many landscaping stores, and they come at a relatively cheap price as well. Moreover, the loose dirt surface offers good drainage capabilities.
Packed dirt is loose. That means you would have to rake and level the surface before and after each game to ensure that the surface is flat and level.
Can Bocce Be Played on Clay Court Surface?
Another common and traditional bocce ball court surface is clay.
This is a firm and soft playing surface, minimizing the bounce of balls. They’re less likely to get dents on the surface, minimizing required maintenance and upkeep.
However, clay is not weather-resistant and is not highly suggested for courts in places prone to rain. They also drain poorly.
They’re also rather expensive to install.
Play Bocce Ball on Other Bocce Court Surfaces
Other than packed dirt and clay, there are more court surfaces to consider:
Crushed oyster shell
The most traditional surface is crushed oyster shell. This is lightweight and loose, ideal for good drainage and smooth ball movements.
But because it’s loose, this would require regular maintenance and upkeep like raking and leveling before and after games.
Natural grass
Natural grass is a cost-effective surface for bocce ball courts. If you already have grass growing in your backyard, all you need to do is build your court parameters around it. If you don’t, you can easily plant grass seeds and wait for them to grow.
This option would also need a lot of maintenance work. You’d have to mow it regularly and keep the surface flat and level. Moreover, you’d have to work out the drainage, especially if you live somewhere where it rains regularly.
Synthetic turf
If you like the aesthetic of natural grass but don’t want to deal with all the upkeep, try synthetic or artificial turf instead.
This looks clean and is very low maintenance. You’d only need to clean it every season or so to get rid of bacteria.
This is a bit expensive to install upfront but will help you save in the long run as it has a very long lifespan.
Sand or pea gravel
Sea or pea gravel is a widely available court surface option as well. It’s relatively cheap, making it another popular choice.
But just like the other loose surface options, this needs extensive upkeep and frequent surface raking and leveling.
Poured liquid
A more modern surface option is poured liquid. This offers a smooth playing surface for your bocce balls with consistent performance. It’s durable, weather-resistant, and requires little to no maintenance.
How to Choose the Best Bocce Ball Court Surface
To help you make a sound decision and choose one that works out best for your needs, keep these questions in mind:
- What is your budget for bocce court construction?
- Is the material of your choice accessible to you and easy to acquire?
- Is the material weather-resistant and able to withstand weather changes? What about drainage?
- Does it help the balls roll smoothly for fast gameplay?
- How much maintenance and upkeep are you willing to commit to?
Conclusion
Bocce is a world-beloved game with millions of fans and players around the world. Many players are choosing the convenience of having their bocce ball court. As such, many are wondering if bocce ball is played on dirt courts.
Yes, bocce ball can be played on a dirt court surface and is one of the most common options many turn to. This is a loose-court surface. This entails a rather hefty upkeep and maintenance. But since it’s widely available and relatively cheap, it’s become a popular court surface option.
When building your bocce court, it’s important to remember that you have many other court surface options. Look into these other options to see which one would work out best for your court.
