Bocce Ball Courts
AN ITALIAN TRADITION
ENJOYED FROM YOUR OWN BACKYARD
BOCCE BALL COURTS
The popularity of this old world Italian game is making a comeback in a big way. The long and narrow court surface should consist of a material that provides minimal bounce, such as decomposed granite, sand, or crushed oyster shell, none of which require any water. There are several custom options to make your bocce ball court a unique and appealing outdoor design feature. From the court surface, to the border material and landscape lighting, Earth Design Landscape can design and construct the bocce ball court of your dreams. Earth Design can also create supplementary inviting design features to enhance the beauty and sociability of your bocce court with shade structures, pavers, softscaping, synthetic turf, landscape lighting, firepits, corten steel walls and plantings. The possibilities are endless!
Earth Design Landscape specializes in the design/build of premium bocce ball courts for residential and commercial properties. Customization for your court involves features such as the surface materials, borders, drainage and overall design. This traditional Italian pastime is a relaxing but strategic game that can enhance your outdoor environment and provide hours of fun for your friends and family. The design of the court creates a beautiful mediterranean look which unifies your yard and provides a great place for socializing. The aesthetic natural look of the colored balls on the organic court also creates a relaxing look of a Japanese rock garden.
Construction includes digging, grading, drainage, foundation and compaction processes.
Bocce Court Surface Options
CRUSHED OYSTER SHELLS – PREMIUM SURFACING
This authentic, traditional Italian surface is the optimum choice for Bocce courts. Considered the premium natural surfacing, crushed oyster shells provide a compact and level substrate for minimal bounce which is ideal for the game of Bocce. Oyster flour followed by a scattered layer of crushed oyster shells offer exceptional feel and tempo for the game. Oyster shells are also less abrasive, which extends the life of your bocce balls. The fine, plate-like shape of the ground shell helps it to self-level after a rain. Beautiful and functional, this surface has a natural organic look with the benefits of virtually no maintenance, a consistent play surface, and no dust. Your only job will be filling a wine glass as you backspin the perfect bocce shot!
Other options include: DECOMPOSED GRANITE or SAND
Border Options
There are many options for your bocce ball court border. From timber to concrete to steel, there are many beautiful ways to frame your court. Corten steel is another border design option that is weathered. The corrosion-retarding effect of the protective layer is produced by the particular distribution and concentration of alloying elements in it. The layer protecting the surface develops and regenerates continuously when subjected to the influence of the weather. In other words, the steel is allowed to rust in order to form the protective coating.
How to Play Bocce Ball
During a game a ball is either rolled or tossed underhanded down a long lane with the aim of coming to rest near a smaller target ball called a pallino.
Bocce balls can be made of metal or various kinds of plastic. A game can consist of two players, or two teams of two, three, or four. A match is started by a randomly chosen side being given the opportunity to throw a smaller ball, the jack ( or boccino or pallino), from one end of the court into a zone 5 metres (16 ft) in length, ending 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) from the far end of the court. If the first team misses twice, the other team is awarded the opportunity to place the jack anywhere they choose within the prescribed zone.
The side that first attempted to place the jack is given the opportunity to bowl first. Once the first bowl has taken place, the other side has the opportunity to bowl. From then on, the side which does not have the ball closest to the jack has a chance to bowl, up until one side or the other has used their four balls. At that point, the other side bowls its remaining balls. The team with the closest ball to the jack is the only team that can score points in any frame. The scoring team receives one point for each of their balls that is closer to the jack than the closest ball of the other team. The length of a game varies by region but is typically from 7 to 13 points.