The sport of Croquet was initially introduced to the World by John Jaques II at the Great Exhibition of England in 1851. The effect of the introduction of this enjoyable but competitive recreation was instantaneous and it quickly became a "must have" lawn activity not simply in England but across Europe and the British Empire, quickly becoming a recognizable British Trait. This was specially true of India. The Jaques Croquet Set was the original croquet set that closely resembles the croquet sets around today.

The amazing achievement of the Jaques Croquet Set at the Great Exhibition resulted in John Jaques being awarded the Gold Medal.

After the world wide uptake of the Game of Croquet, a really extravagant Jaques Croquet Collection was presented to The Viceroy of India, an extremely keen advocate of Jaques Croquet, and included a Croquet Mallet made of solid ivory (not very pc today but highly impressive at the time). A number of different Jaques Croquet sets have been developed and manufactured by Jaques and Sons and can still be obtained today.

Following the Great Exhibition, John Jaques II was deemed as the major world authority on the Game of Croquet and to further encourage and clarify the game, created (in 1864) the initial edition of "Croquet: the Laws and Regulations of the Game". These rules (with some revisions) even now go over the game of Croquet as it's performed currently.

A Jaques Croquet Set was soon in the proud possession of many families, clubs and associations. Numerous Croquet Associations have been established all over the world, the headquarters of the governing body is now primarily based in Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, England.

Jaques Croquet Equipment

Jaques Croquet Sets and Croquet equipment is still manufactured with the same level of craftsmanship and attention to tradition and detail by the family business, Jaques of London Ltd, now based at Edenbridge, Kent, UK.

The manufacturing procedure has changed very little in over 150 years of developing some of the best Croquet Sets. Croquet Mallets, handcrafted from stunning wood, including English Ash and Lignum Vitae, are laid down in "stick" for a lot of years (usually over five) in order that they've matured to a point suitable for a Jaques Croquet Set. As every Jaques Croquet Mallet requires in excess of three hours of work for 1 of their skilled craftsmen to finish, people fortunate enough to possess a Jaques Croquet Set know that they have good quality Croquet Equipment, lovingly made by specialists and designed to last.

A Jaques Croquet Set, whether for family, friends or someone special is an exceptionally well created gift and will survive for years if not generations.

There are countless croquet associations around the world with a great number of in England. Membership is on the increase with recognition improving with the younger age groups. A certain degree of fitness is needed to play the game but it is excellent for all the family, young and old alike.

There are two sorts of the game that can be played - golf croquet and association croquet.

Compared with Association Croquet, Golf Croquet has less complicated regulations and is more interactive (each turn is only a single stroke), nevertheless it takes a comparable degree of exactness and tactical understanding.

The competitors follow a course contesting each hoop in turn; as soon as one hoop is scored all players move on to tackle the following - a simple idea that leads to rich tactical thinking.