Patent Required or Not

My family and I have created and developed a game that is primarily played on a beach but could also be played on grass or even snow.

We would like to develop and bring the game to the point of selling it but we're not sure if a patent is advisable vs. a trademark.

The game does not require any unique components, basically eight balls and a beach /sand, but it is the game concept, rules, and method of play that are a unique idea.

If we did not require a patent, how would the concept be protected?

Thanks in advance for your time and assistance.