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Testing methodology
Every recommendation on BackyardGamesTested follows the same process, so you can compare pages with confidence.
Regulation specs first
We check sets against official dimensions and weights, and say plainly when a set is sized for casual play.
A clear verdict
Each guide says who the set suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
No paid placements
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Kept current
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
Where our facts come from
We use the official rules and specifications of the American Cornhole League (ACL) and American Cornhole Organization (ACO), the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association, the United States Bocce Federation, the US Croquet Association, and ASTM safety standards and CPSC guidance for trampolines and playsets.
What we check, by product type
| Cornhole | Board size and hole placement, plywood thickness, frame bracing, finish, and bag weight, size and fill. |
|---|---|
| Bocce and ball games | Ball diameter and material, weight, chip resistance and carry case. |
| Horseshoes | Shoe weight and material, stake height and pitching distance against NHPA rules. |
| Net and giant games | Frame strength, net tension, setup time, ball quality and portability. |
| Play equipment | ASTM certification, enclosure and padding, weight limits, anchoring and assembly. |
Hands-on testing versus research
A review carries a "Hands-on tested" badge only when our team has used the product, and it lists the date and what we did. Every other page is built from published specs, governing-body rules, the brand's own documentation and owner feedback, and says so. Comparisons are research-based unless marked otherwise.
Prices and codes
Prices come from each brand's own store and are dated on every review. Reader codes come directly from the brands we partner with. When a brand changes an offer, we update the code everywhere it appears on the site at once.
Corrections
If you spot something out of date, email info@backyardgamestested.com and we'll check it and fix it.