Crisp white linen has given way to micro fibers, straw Panamas have been replaced by baseball caps, and the chipped and scarred wooden clubs can’t compete with the modernized metal mallets. Croquet has come a long way from the nine-wicket version which has been enjoyed in American backyards for more than 100 years.

An entire industry has sprung up around the nostalgic wire wickets and the clacking wooden balls. Rule books, tournaments, clubs, magazines, specialized gear and professional associations have all contributed to the rise in popularity of croquet. The 6-wicket competitive version is now played by thousands of people on more than 600 professionally designed and manicured greens in the U.S. and Canada. The strategy of the game and the mastery of the split shot are touted in educational videos and instructional materials.

The United States Croquet Association (USCA) was organized in 1977 to promote the “elegant and exacting sport.”

But for many, croquet will always be a backyard sport, often played on warm summer evenings after the lawn has been freshly mowed.

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Photo credit: USCA