New to the game
Introduction to polo
Everything you need to know before your first chukka — the format, the kit and the etiquette.
The basics
Polo is played by two teams of four riders on a grass field roughly 300 by 160 yards. The aim is simple: hit the ball through the opposing goal. Play is divided into periods called chukkas, each lasting seven and a half minutes, with riders changing ponies between them.
Handicaps
Every registered player carries a handicap from minus two to ten goals, describing their ability rather than the goals they score. Team handicaps are the sum of the four players, and tournaments are usually set at a maximum team total.
What to wear
On the field you will need a helmet, boots, knee pads and a team shirt with your number. Off the field, the clubhouse tends to be smart-casual — a polo shirt, chinos and clean shoes will never be wrong.
Watching your first match
Arrive early, walk the pitch at half time to tread in the divots, and do not stand behind the goal. Beyond that, enjoy it — polo is one of the few sports where spectators are genuinely part of the day.
