How to Build a Backyard Bocce Ball Court

Bocce ball, also known as lawn bowling, is a game in which players attempt to roll their ball along a flat surface, with the goal of finishing closer to a small target ball than any of their opponent's balls. While many owners of bocce sets simply play in their backyards, the game is meant to be played on a flat surface without high grass, making a homemade bocce court ideal for those who have a few free days and space to lay their own court.

Things You'll Need

  • Shovel
  • Flat headed dirt rake
  • 4 by 4 beams
  • Stakes
  • Hammer
  • Dirt roller
  • 2 Yard bags of masonry sand
  • Bocce court drag
  • 300 pounds crushed oyster shell
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Instructions

    • 1

      Level a patch of ground 60 feet long and 10 feet wide. Use the shovel to remove any hills in the ground, and the dirt rake to level the ground. Remove any large rocks which will make the ground uneven and unforgiving to play on.

    • 2

      Lay 4 by 4 beams down around the exterior of the flat pitch to form the walls of the playing surface. If needed, you can use bricks under the beams in low patches in order to ensure that all the 4 by 4 beams lie level. Secure the beams in place with stakes.

    • 3

      Roll the dirt inside the playing surface using the roller to both tamp the dirt down and level the dirt out further.

    • 4

      Attach the wood 4 by 4's using metal brackets and screws. The brackets are flat pieces of metal which are placed atop the wood and attach to two adjacent beams, securing them together.

    • 5

      Pour sand evenly across the entire interior of the playing surface. Walk the interior of the playing surface while dragging the bocce court drag behind you, then roll the surface after laying the sand.

    • 6

      Pour crushed oyster shells evenly across the entire interior of the playing surface. Walk the interior of the playing surface while dragging the bocce court drag behind you, then roll the surface after laying the shells.