Rapidly gaining in popularity is a second variant called 'golf croquet', so named because all players go for one hoop at a time.

As soon as a ball has gone through that hoop, a point is scored and everyone goes for the next one.

This means no break play, and no combination shots, but there are still tactics in blocking an opponent's shot at a hoop, or knocking his ball away .

Undeniably, golf croquet is a better spectator sport, and great for gambling as points often go right down to the wire. Easy to learn, it is popular with inter-firm lunchtime leagues.

World champions have been the Egyptians, but other nations are mounting a challenge : including Belgium, with its first ever Golf Croquet Open in 1999.