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Learn how to size and set up the ultimate backyard bocce court
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Bocce ball is an old Italian lawn game traditionally played on a flat surface covered with sand or short grass and contained within a wooden border. Bocce is played by tossing different sized balls around the court and calculating points based on the balls' positions. To build a bocce court, you will first need to measure out the court's dimensions. Then lay your wooden border and fill it in with a base layer of rocks and a top layer of fine sand or ground oyster shells.
Things You Should Know
- Measure the length of your court and drive in 4 stakes at each corner. Standard courts are 13x91 ft (4x28 m), or size your area to w x l ratio between 1:5 and 1:7.
- Dig the court area about 2-4 in (5-10 cm) deep. Frame the edges of the court with 4x4 pressure-treated wood.
- Fill the court with a layer of crushed stone and then a layer of gravel. Finish the court with either ground oyster shells, sand, or artificial turf.
Steps
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Decide how large you would like your court to be. A regulation-sized bocce ball court measures 13 ft by 91 ft (4 m by 28 m). [1] X Research source However, unless you are planning to build a regulation-size bocce ball court, you can build the court any size you would like. As a broad rule of thumb, the court’s ratio of width to length should be between 1:5 and 1:7.
- Build a court that will suit the dimensions of your backyard (or wherever you decide to build the court). If you are working with limited space, you could build a bocce court in as little space as 5 ft by 20 ft (1.5 m by 6 m). [2] X Research source
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Measure the length and width of your court. Using a measuring tape, measure out the full length and width of your bocce court on the ground where you plan to build it. Keep in mind that you’ll need to add the dimensions for the backing material (e.g. the court frame) into your total width and length measurements. [3] X Research source So, if you’re using 4x4 boards as your frame, you’ll need to add 8 inches (20 cm) to the length and width measurements.
- For example, if you’re building a regulation-sized bocce court, you’ll need to measure the outer dimensions of the court to be 13 ft 8 inches by 91 ft 8 inches (4.2 m by 28 m).
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Drive in stakes at the corners of the court. Once you’ve measured out the length and width of the court, use a hammer to drive a stake into the ground at each corner. [4] X Research source These will serve as markers to indicate the size of the court, and indicate the area you’ll excavate.
- You can purchase a handful of wooden or plastic stakes at your local hardware store. They should be relatively inexpensive, and do not need to be made of a high-quality material.
EXPERT TIPHardscape SpecialistSina Kamran is a Hardscaping Specialist and the Owner of Design Scapes, Inc. in Santa Monica, California. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in customized, site-specific hardscaping and landscaping design/build projects. He's a certified National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) designer, a certified installer with the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), and a Rain Bird Certified Irrigation Professional. Additionally, Design Scapes, Inc. has many 5-star rated reviews.Bocce ball courts require planning and proper materials. First figure out how big to make your bocce ball court based on available backyard space. Border it with sturdy landscape timber or metal edging to keep the boundaries defined. Below the playing surface, put down landscape fabric to discourage weeds, then a base layer like crushed rock for stability. Top it off with about 4 inches of decomposed granite as your playing surface.
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Dig out the court area. The best way to flatten and level the area for your bocce court is by digging down about 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) into your soil. This will allow you to shovel out any rocks or clumps of soil that would disrupt the surface of the court, and will give you a pit to lay subsequent layers of the court. [5] X Research source
- The bocce court will need to be built on a level area, otherwise the playing surface will be distorted. If you’re concerned that your bocce court may collect rainfall during wet months, dig down less than 4 inches (10 cm).
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Install and link the wooden border. Although you can use any wooden material you like for the borders, pressure-treated 4x4 boards work well. Lay the 4x4s along the edges of your excavated bocce pit, setting them end to end. Using a carpenter’s level, make sure that all boards are even with the ground. Then fasten each 4x4 board to the adjacent boards using 10-inch (25 cm) spikes. [6] X Research source
- You can purchase all of the lumber you’ll need at a local hardware store. Plan ahead before you make your visit: if you’re building a regulation-size bocce court, and are buying 10-foot 3-meter) boards, you’ll need about 14 sections of wood.
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Lay a base of washed crushed stone. The base layer of your bocce court should be made of relatively large and stable stone. Use a shovel to lay a layer of 1-inch stone throughout the entire bocce court. [7] X Research source If you’ve dug the court area 4 inches (10 cm) deep, plan to lay about a 2-inch (5 cm) layer of this large-stone material.
- You can buy 1-inch washed crushed stone at a nearby hardware store or gardening center. If you’re having trouble finding the correct material, also try contacting a nearby rock quarry or gravel site.
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Lay a second layer of crushed stone or gravel. Once you have the 1-inch stone layer covering the entire excavated bocce pit, you can add the second layer. This layer should comprise smaller stones. There are no precise size requirements; gravel would work well, as would ½-inch crushed stone. [8] X Research source Use your shovel blade to cover the entire bocce court with the gravel. The layer should be at least 1 inch (2 cm) thick.
- As with the 1-inch washed crushed stone, you can purchase gravel or smaller crushed stones from a gravel site or landscaping company.
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Place a layer of ground oyster shells if you’re building a regulation court. If you’re planning to build a regulation bocce court (or have dreams of becoming a professional bocce ball player), you’ll need to top your court with processed oyster shell. The layer only needs to be about ¼-inch (0.6 cm) thick. [9] X Research source This material is incredibly fine grained, and will not be damaged or disturbed by rain storms. [10] X Research source
- Unless you live on the West coast of the United States (or in an international costal region), you’ll need to have your processed oyster shell shipped to your address.
- You may be able to purchase ground oyster shells from a local landscaping company or from a feed and grain supplier. A small number of online retailers also sell and deliver ground oyster shell.
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Lay sand as your top bocce court layer. If you’re not looking for a professional playing surface—and want to save some money—you can skip the processed oyster shells. A layer of ordinary sand will provide a suitable playing surface. Pour the sand at least ½-inch (1.2 cm) thick over the underlying layer of stones or gravel, and use a shovel to smooth the sand and press it into all corners of your bocce court. [11] X Research source
- The primary disadvantage of sand is that it will become soggy and compacted following a rainstorm. You’ll need to rake the sand in order to help it dry and reduce its compactness.
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Finish the court with artificial turf. If you’d prefer not to play on processed oyster shells or on sand, you can lay artificial turf as the playing surface. This material is inexpensive and simple to maintain: it can be easily swept clean of twigs or debris. [12] X Research source
- You can obtain artificial turf at a gardening center or plant nursery. Also contact your local hardware store or even a sporting-goods store to see if they can provide the artificial turf.
- Depending on the size of your bocce court and the size of turf sections that you can purchase, you may need to buy several sections of turf.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow long should the artificial turf be when building a bocce ball court?ZackTop AnswererArtificial turf is optional. You can play on the oyster shell surface. However, if you want to place artificial turf on the court, you must make it the same dimensions as your court: not bigger, not smaller.
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QuestionWhere can I find the materials to build a bocce ball court?ZackTop AnswererYou can get most of the materials from your local building supply store, hardware store, and farm supply store. For example, my local RuralKing Farm and Home Store sells crushed oyster shell in 50 lb bags for about $10.
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QuestionWhat is the average cost for a 13' x 91' bocce ball court?Community AnswerA high end court can cost anywhere from $3000 - $6000. If you make it yourself, you can probably do it for $1000.
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Tips
- It’s also possible—and fun—to play bocce without a court. You can play on any field or lawn with manicured grass.Thanks
- If you decide that the task of building a bocce ball court is more than you’re up for, you can call a contractor and ask them to install the court for you.Thanks
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Things You’ll Need
- Measuring tape
- Hammer
- Wooden or plastic stakes
- Carpenter’s level
- 4x4 pressure-treated lumber
- 10-inch (25 cm) fastening spikes
- Shovel
- 1-inch washed crushed stone
- ½-inch crushed stone or gravel
- Processed oyster shells
- Sand (optional)
- Artificial turf (optional)
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about home improvement, check out our in-depth interview with Sina Kamran .
References
- ↑ http://blog.homedepot.com/how-to-build-a-bocce-ball-court/
- ↑ http://blog.homedepot.com/how-to-build-a-bocce-ball-court/
- ↑ http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/a16485/how-to-build-a-backyard-bocce-ball-court/
- ↑ http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/a16485/how-to-build-a-backyard-bocce-ball-court/
- ↑ http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/a16485/how-to-build-a-backyard-bocce-ball-court/
- ↑ http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/a16485/how-to-build-a-backyard-bocce-ball-court/
- ↑ http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/a16485/how-to-build-a-backyard-bocce-ball-court/
- ↑ http://www.sunset.com/garden/landscaping-design/backyard-bocce
- ↑ http://www.sunset.com/garden/landscaping-design/backyard-bocce
About This Article
Article Summary
X
If you want to build a bocce ball court, make sure you have a shovel, pressure-treated 4 by 4 boards, and crushed stone or gravel, since you'll need to dig out a level playing field. You'll also need sand, ground oyster shells, or artificial turf as a playing surface. Start by digging out a rectangle with a width to length ratio of 1 to 5. For example, to make a regulation size court, create a rectangle measuring 13 feet by 91 feet. With your court size determined, dig about 2 to 4 inches down and level out the soil before laying down wooden boards as a border. Then, lay down 1 inch of washed crushed stone with a layer of gravel on top. To make a regulation playing surface, lay down a final layer of ground oyster shells. You can also use a layer of sand or artificial turf as a cheaper alternative. For more tips, including how to purchase ground oyster shells, scroll down.
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