A croquet court might look playable after heavy rain, but stepping onto a waterlogged lawn can do damage.

When the ground is saturated, every footstep presses water and air out of the soil, compacting it like a soggy sponge under a brick.

The grass itself suffers too. Wet roots struggle for oxygen, and the turf can tear away under shoes that may take weeks to recover.

Closing the courts after prolonged rain is not about spoiling the fun. It is about protecting the playing surface so everyone can enjoy quality lawns once the weather clears. Sometimes the smartest croquet shot is the one not played at all.