Taking that extra turn in Golf Croquet Handicap Play
People often state "I don't know how or when to take my extra turn" when they
are playing a stronger player in handicap games.
When you are going to take that extra turn you must consider all the outcomes
before you use the extra turn and do not waste it. To take an extra turn
advantageously, you must destroy a certain hoop against you and try to achieve
a certain hoop for yourself.
There are many was you can achieve this and listed below are some but I am sure
there are many others so please add to the list if you come across them.
1. After you score hoop 2, be first to hoop 3. This can be done after hoops 4,
2 back and 4 back also. You have to be capable of good ball placement to the
next hoop.
2. Stun shot the opponent's ball away the length of the court in your turn,
then turn and stun shot the opponent's second ball away using the extra turn.
It leaves you in control of the hoop.
3. If the opponent's balls are badly placed, i.e. not behind the hoop, or in a
jump shot position, you can use the extra turn to lag into the hoop. Remember
you cannot score a hoop when using the extra turn.
4. If your opponent is stuck in the hoop, use you turn to go behind the hoop
and you extra turn to clear the ball out of the hoop.
5. If you are second to the hoop, use the extra turn to clear the opponent's
well placed ball away from the hoop. When clearing a ball it is better to clear
down the full length of the court and not to the near boundaries.
6. Use the extra turn to safeguard you partner ball if it is in a good position
to score by clearing the opponent's balls away.
7. If you are first to the hoop and not well placed, use your extra turn to
take up a good position in front of the hoop.
8. When you lag up to the opponent to take your extra turn, position your ball
so when you stun shot the opponent away you are sending him the longest
distance away from the hoop.
9. Remember you cannot score a hoop point when using an extra turn, but you can
jam in the hoop ready to score in your next turn.
10. The furthest you can send the opponent away from the hoop, the harder it is
for him to clear you away in the return shot.
11. Always aim to send your opponent the length of the lawn away and not just
to
the base line or the side line near the hoop being contested.
Christine Pont
National Director of Golf Croquet
