Yes, there is a United States Bocce Federation and that is where you can find the definitive answer to any question you have about the traditional Italian lawn bowling game.
Photograph courtesy of Scott Lewis Landscape Architecture.
All you need to play (and this comes straight from the bocce federation people) is two teams, nine balls, and a tape measure to settle disputes. Unofficially, you can make a smaller bocce court depending on the size of your space.
Landscape designers, who say a bocce court is a popular item on clients’ wish lists these days, can create a permanent hardscape feature, a custom court to fit your space with extras such as built-in seating, retaining walls, and landscape plants.
Photograph courtesy of Arterra.
DIY bocce court versus a professional installation:
Photograph courtesy of Pedersen Associates.
How do you make a bocce court surface?
Your court needs a flat surface to prevent balls from careening off in odd directions.
Photograph courtesy of Greg and Rainy Smith.
How do you make a frame for a bocce court?
For a DIY bocce court, use lumber to make a low-sided enclosure to keep the balls inside the court during play. With string lights, built-in seating, and a bocce court, this is the ultimate outdoor party room.
What kind of surface should a bocce court have?
Photograph via Myco Supply, which sells Bulk Crushed Oyster Shells for bocce courts.
You want a court surface that will allow balls to roll fast and smoothly, without bouncing. For a DIY bocce court, first spread a 3-inch layer of drainage rock.
What kind of maintenance does a bocce court require?
A 24-Inch Gator Rake is $139 and a Small Hand Roller is $260; both from 10-S.
If you have a layer of crushed oyster shells, you can wet down the surface with a hose from time to time and roll it smooth with a lawn roller. You also can keep the surface even with a drag rake.
A set of eight wooden Bocce balls plus a jack is $320 from Fredericks & Mae.
What about bocce balls?
For tournament play, bocce balls should be 107 millimeters in diameter (thank you, bocce federation) and weigh 920 grams (about 2 pounds).
Other accessories?
Settle disputes with a tape measure.