Skills of Bocce: Bocce Court Construction Plans

Bocce court instructions for a limestone, outdoor court: (Detailed drawing below)

Bocce court instructoins for an inside or outside bocce court.

Put down 3-5 inches  layer of crushed stone (pea gravel)

Add  three inches of crushed, lime stone (this insures proper water drainage).

Add 1-3 inches of tennis clay (fine clay powder used to surface tennis courts) or crushed oyster shells.

Now level, the entire surface using a rigid rake or broom.

Water  or  wait for nature to contribute to your project by letting a rainfall wet the entire area. Check for low spots (puddles), and if necessary, saturate these areas with more clay. (Note: a small hole bored into the end board will help you sweep out excessive water concentration).

NOTE: At first the court's clay surface will crack and you must roll it and broom it several times. Cracking is good because it means that the court is stabilizing itself and will provide the very best surface for a long time. Eventually the cracking will diminish and stop. Conversely, a court that won't crack may be too sandy and will require constant maintenance.

Court Maintenance and Preservation:
Once in a while lay down some  tennis clay to maintain the court surface. How frequently you do this depends on how much play the court gets.  This will protect your court and preserve it for the long time. Remember, the more you play, the firmer the court base will become, and this means a better playing surface.

Illustration courtesy of Michael B.Grasser, USBF Board Member, 2002, Sylvan Lake Michigan, USA

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