Just wondering if anyone knew how to repair a spot on the piste where the material becomes very fine and powdery, causing the boule to plop dead. The only solution I can think of is too dig it out and put in fresh material. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Loi

Here's a radical solution to your 'problem': leave the terrain *exactly* as it is!

Remember, petanque is traditionally and best played on a slightly uneven, irregular terrain. If you have a "dead spot", so what!? Treat it as a 'feature' of the terrain that will test/improve the skill of players.

Try it!

Regards,

Ray

Thanks Ray,
It's just my boules always seems to die there, never my opponents!

Why not treat it as a challenge to learn how to point well *despite* the "dead-spot" on the terrain?

Is it a question that you use a rolling shot, only for your boules to 'die' on the dead spot? If so, perhaps you need to lob over it - what do the opponents do?

Ray

Ray,
You are absolutely right. It does make the game more challenging. I find myself throwing the cochon right beyond it when I play with someone who lobs half way, or rolls it. I just might be a little obsessive compulsive, by wanting the piste to be consistent all over. I'm just going to leave it the way it is. Thanks for your imput.

Loi

Dear Loi,

Glad you're happy with the terrain. One of the great things about petanque is that it's always good practise to play on different terrains and different types of surface.

It's always possible to change your own terrain. With our main terrain in Brighton (UK) we've resurfaced it a couple of times with different material and, after the council originally built it as flat as the proverbial pancake, dug up parts of it to create some small hills and hollows and generally give a bit more character.

Regards,

Ray