How to Make a Shuffleboard Court in Your Yard
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5-10 hours
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Intermediate
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- 400-800
Playing outdoor shuffleboard is fun for everyone, whether you're young or old. While these boards are popular entertainment in taverns, they can also be easily installed into your backyard for at-home gatherings with family and friends. Get in on the fun by installing a shuffleboard with just a little bit of land, concrete, and the following steps.
Step 1 – Prepare the Area
Your shuffleboard must have a slab of concrete 52-feet long and 10-feet wide. However, if you have additional space, you should add more to this number for extra standing space. A slab of concrete 60-feet long will allow for 4 feet on either side for players to stand.
Framing the Court
To first level the land, dig out dirt or grass in the area you want to frame your court. Then, use 1/2-by-4 inch strips of wood to frame the court. Secure the frame with stakes.
Step 2 – Pour the Concrete
Next, pour 600 square feet of concrete at a depth of 3-4 inches. Because this is a large quantity of concrete, you may need to hire a concrete truck or rent a larger-capacity concrete mixing drum to pour the concrete all at once. Pour the concrete, and then move on to the third step to level it.
Step 3 – Level out the Concrete
Next, level out the concrete with a large trowel. Since it’s such a large area, you might want to ask some friends to help you complete this step. Once the concrete slab is level and smooth, allow it several days to dry. Keep it moist, so that it doesn’t get brittle and crack.
Step 4 – Paint the Concrete and Boundaries
Once it’s dry, you can paint the concrete a solid color or simply seal it with a clear finish. Then, paint the court dimensions and surface markings. Find a template sold specifically for this purpose online to make the task easier. Make sure that dimensions and markings are clearly visible and a different color from the base color.
Step 5 – Wax the Court
Clean off any debris before completing this step. Then, with shuffleboard wax, coat the entire court, so that the discs can glide smoothly. You can re-wax the surface on a regular basis to ensure a smooth court to play on.
Step 6 – Gather the Game Tools
Finally, gather the shuffleboard rules, cues, discs, and players to have a blast in your own backyard. If you'd prefer a miniature version for your man cave or sports bar, build one in a few hours over the weekend.
How to Make a Shuffleboard Court in Your Yard
How do you set up outdoor shuffleboard?
According to the official rules of shuffleboard as set forth by Masters Games, a shuffleboard court should be 52 feet long. You will mark off the board inside this area using tape or chalk.
You will also need discs that are six inches in diameter and up to one inch thick. The discs usually weigh 15 ounces and you'll need two sets of four discs in different colors.
You will also need cues, long poles with two short prongs at the end, which are used to slide the discs across the court.
As long as you have these materials and the space for the board, you can play shuffleboard.
What is the standard size for an outdoor shuffleboard court?
The standard shuffleboard court is 52 feet long and 6 feet wide.
Can you play shuffleboard on concrete?
Any hard surface, including concrete, can be used for shuffleboard.
Why do you need sand for shuffleboard?
Shuffleboard sand, which may also be called shuffleboard wax or shuffleboard powder, is used to help the pucks glide across the board. This is not the same as the sand you find on the beach or in the sandbox, so you can't use any sand for your shuffleboard surface.
Look specifically for shuffleboard sand, which is a silicone-based sand that is incredibly fine.
Can you play shuffleboard on a driveway?
If your driveway is big enough to accommodate the dimensions of a shuffleboard, there's no reason you can't play the game right there on the driveway. In fact, there are multiple kits you can purchase that make it quick and easy to set up a game on your driveway.