Croquet involves a lot of walking around the lawn with players walking up to 3km per game. It encourages movement without the running, jumping or collisions associated with many sports.

Croquet helps to exercise balance and coordination as the sport involves a lot of hand-eye coordination, judging distance, controlled mallet swings and balance. 

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), working with Croquet Victoria, reviewed croquet's physical movements and identified it as a promising low-impact activity for maintaining mobility, particularly among older people. See the research here. 

People who can no longer comfortably participate in running, tennis, golf or other demanding sports may still be able to enjoy croquet. It offers genuine competition without requiring the same cardiovascular fitness or repetitive high-impact movements.

Diana Wilson, a physiotherapist who had previously played tennis, underwent ankle fusion surgery and could no longer pursue tennis in the same way. She subsequently took up croquet with her husband, progressing to competitive play and described regaining many of the social and competitive benefits she valued in tennis. Read here story here. 

Croquet is sometimes described as chess on the lawn. Players must think about positioning, angles, probabilities, offensive and defensive options, and the consequences of their opponent's next shot. It exercises concentration, decision-making, planning and adaptability.

In the Croquet England's player survey, 63% of respondents believed playing helped maintain or improve their mental agility.

Croquet combines outdoor activity, concentration, social interaction and enjoyable competition. 

A 16-week Croquet for Wellbeing programme, working with NHS social prescribers and supported by Sport England funding at Pendle & Craven Croquet Club, Lancashire, welcomed participants experiencing a range of health and wellbeing challenges. Participants rated their progress toward achieving their wellbeing goals, averaging 97% across the group. Find out about the programme here. 

Croquet encourages players to spend time outdoors playing croquet. Research from the NHS green social prescribing programme found that players engaging in nature based activities found significant wellbeing improvements. 

Participant average happiness improved from an initial 53% to 75% while their anxiety levels reduced from an initial 48% down to 34% following outdoor activity. 

Croquet is naturally sociable. Players spend time alongside one another, talk between shots and can participate in doubles, club days and social tournaments. Unlike sports where continuous physical activity limits conversation, croquet leaves opportunities for interaction throughout play.

At Nottingham Croquet Club, their Hoops for Health programme was introduced in 2021 to engage groups affected by the pandemic, including people experiencing anxiety, long-term health conditions and social isolation. The project has been very successful, contributing to the club winning the Sport and Recreation Alliance's national Inclusion and Diversity Award in 2022. Read about the project here. 

Croquet enables children, parents, grandparents and older adults to participate in the same activity, including by adapting the rules.

The Jiminy Wicket programme brings schoolchildren together with people living with dementia through croquet. In Colorado children from Sagebrush Elementary partnered directly with residents of Chelsea Place Memory Care for games, creating opportunities for conversation and shared enjoyment. Learn more about Jiminy Wicket here. 

Croquet can be modified by adjusting rules, equipment, lawn arrangements and assistance. People with mobility limitations can play seated. At the Sussexdown Care Home, residents were taught wheelchair croquet by a member of West Chiltington Croquet Club. The game was adapted so residents could play seated, and the introductory session developed into a weekly activity. More information about this here.

Croquet relies strongly on precision and tactics rather than speed and physical strength. Much of its recreational and competitive structure is mixed-gender, while handicaps allow players of different standards to compete.

Nottingham Croquet Club used its This Girl Can events, promoted through local Asian radio stations, to introduce croquet to Asian and Muslim women and girls. The club received national recognition for its broader efforts to make the sport more inclusive. Read about it here. 

Croquet can appeal to children who are less interested in running or contact sports. Games can incorporate aiming, coordination, teamwork and tactical challenges.

In Mauritius, the success of the Sugar Beach International Croquet Cup sparked interest from local children, leading to the creation of the Sugar Beach Junior Croquet Cup as well as a junior training programme for local school children, both of which are fully subscribed. Details here. 

Croquet offers opportunities to learn a new skill, improve accuracy, run difficult hoops, compete and celebrate personal progress. The handicap system also gives newer players a route into meaningful competition.

A 2023 Taiwanese study involving 320 older adults and caregivers found high levels of benefit to participants of golf croquet including positive perceptions of learning, social interaction and achievement. Read about the study here. 

Croquet is particularly suited to corporate entertainment because beginners can learn how to play quickly, colleagues can talk, collaborate and compete in an informal environment. Croquet allows everyone to compete on a level playing field as all genders compete together as it is a sport of skill and tactics rather than physical strength

Croquet is a great ice breaker between guests and provides a focal point for socialising. Something that summer corporate events company, Croquet & Cocktails specialises in providing.