The game of bocce has been played around the world for longer than you probably realize. The earliest forms of lawn bowling began in ancient Egypt, roughly 7,000 years ago. Since then, the game has moved onto Greece, the Roman Empire, Holland, France, Italy, and beyond. Bocce was also banned several times throughout history by politicians who thought it was too much of a diversion. While bocce is now governed by two international bodies, it still remains a very flexible game. Regulation games are played to a total of 12 points, but non-regulation games played to 10, 15, and 21 points remain popular as well. Learn more about the roots of bocce so you can impress your friends with your knowledge of the game. We hope you’ll find that knowing bocce’s history makes you feel more connected to the game, and able to enjoy it on a deeper level.

Infographic source: Exotic Gardens Landscaping