One of the best ways to learn more about the game of croquet is to connect with a local croquet club. Finding a croquet club isn’t the easiest task as they are not always pinned on Google maps. So, in general, the best resource to locate a croquet club nearby is to check out one of the directory resources. In order of most useful, here are the top online croquet club directories.
Read MoreCroquet Website Power Rankings - March 2017
The recent post from CWO on the OxfordCroquet.com website prompted me to take a look at the site rank for all of the prevalent croquet websites. Using independent sources along with a power formula the top 10 sites based on traffic stats over the are presented on the right. It's no surprise to see USCA website at the top of the rankings, but it should be noted that winter is the slow time for the USCA site.
Read More2016 Supporters of Croquet Network
Certainly the biggest surprise I found in launching a croquet website back in January of 2008 was the closed environment on the internet for the sport. There are definitely a number of facets to defining what that even means, but getting other sites to link to Croquet Network is a large part of the equation and it has proven to be a futile effort. Success for Croquet Network has been built through more challenging methods, but the promotion of traffic and sharing of good croquet content is one of the key factors in building a successful website and active internet community overall.
It remains as the top challenge for Croquet Network and that is why I wanted to recognize the top sites that do support Croquet Network by driving traffic. For 2016, here is our list for top 10 supporting sites for CroquetNetwork.com. Congratulations and thank you for supporting this site and the sport overall.
TOP 10 SUPPORTING SITES
01. Facebook
07. Twitter.com
08. NationalCroquetClub.Rountablelive.com
Oxford Croquet: Plus One On Time Online
Plus One on Time is an excellent croquet book for the aspiring Association Croquet player and deals with tactical skills for players in the 18 to 6 handicap range.
The book is laid out clearly and has sections for different handicap ranges. It present information and analysis for the various levels of abilities; the author identifies which parts would suit the 12+, 8+ and 6+ handicap ranges. Separate chapters deal with the End Game and Pegged-out & One-ball games. Additionally advice is offered on hampered shots and other tactical niceties.
Morning Coffee: Clarke Croquet
When I heard that Chris and Jenny Clarke were launching a croquet instruction website, I was definitely skeptical. Oxford Croquet has it all covered, right? I was pleasantly surprised though as I took my first spin through. Essentially, what I see is more plain-spoken approach that is concise and with adequate amount of graphics. The format is nice as a sort of page by page navigation and I could see that translating easily into a print book (that I would gladly purchase). I am hoping there is a save my place function that I will discover in my next visit.
Morning Coffee: Buzz for Women's GC Worlds
Visit the storeWell the MC isn't quite back on track yet, but we'll press on. Pour a cup and enjoy this week's rundown of the world croquet news--
WOMEN'S GC WORLDS: New Zealand's Daily Post has an early preview on next month's WCF Women's World Golf Croquet Championship. Full of quotes from Jenny Clarke--
http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/quake-residents-chance-to-play-in-worlds/1129326/
Croquet Website Rankings (July 2011)
The USCA's croquetamerica.com website rode the busy July tournament calendar to a big month and nearly unseated croquet.com which dropped as the croquet set buying season came off of its peak month. The Croquet Association site moved up to the fourth from sixth last month, likely due to the big
Read MoreCroquet Website Rankings (June 2011)
There were no giant surprises in the U.S. croquet website rankings for June. Traffic was picking up and several sites jumped back into the rankings -- Houston Croquet, Croquet New Zealand, Maui Croquet Club and the
Read MoreCroquet Website Rankings (May 2011)
Traffic is picking up across the board as the summer backyard season kicks in for the U.S. Croquet.com is well beyond the competition, but the USCA's croquetamerica.com is certainly seeing a lot of traffic. OxfordCroquet.com
Read MoreNovember Croquet Links:
North American Clubs
Bald Head Island -- A North Carolina club that I think serves as an interesting example with posted play schedules and details on organizing events at the club.
Oakland Croquet Club -- The Oakland Croquet Club plays on one of three lawn bowling greens located at Lake Merritt's Lakeside Park on Bellevue Avenue in Oakland, CA.
Boston Croquet Club -- Boston club based in Milton Massachusetts. Shares lawns with the local lawn Bowling Club and is able to set up two near full size courts.
Associations
Croquet Australia -- With the Womens Golf Croquet Championship occuring in Cairnlea, it was time to get a link to this association site. Very informative site.
Croquet Canada -- Association for croquet in Canada.
International
Oxford Croquet -- Deep, deep croquet website focused toward instruction on the association game. Essential reading for all aspiring croquet players.
Hurlingham Club -- U.K. based club that is one of two recently named hosts for the 2011 WCF Golf Croquet Championship.
Surbiton Croquet Club -- Surbiton is the other U.K. club that will be hosting the 2011 WCF Golf Croquet Championship.
All links above will now appear in the Croquet Links section on the navigation bar at the top of the site. Any links back are greatly appreciated.