Croquet mallets and balls in the Algarve
The short answer: croquet players in the Algarve can order an Invictus mallet made to their handle length, and clubs can add championship balls, with delivery to southern Portugal. For lawns that go firm and fast under the summer sun, the Invictus Rise is the one we suggest first, with the RF Pro close behind.
Croquet in the Algarve
The eastern Algarve has become Portugal's croquet heartland. The Algarve Croquet Club moved in 2021 to Benamor Golf at Conceição de Tavira, where it plays both golf croquet and association croquet on two tournament-standard lawns. In June 2024 it opened clubhouse huts beside the lawns, with 88 members from several countries, mixed days, ladies' days and evening "sundowners", and it has hosted the Portuguese Open with visitors from as far as Egypt and New Zealand.
Nearby, the Bela Romão Croquet Country Club near Moncarapacho and Fuseta overlooks the Ria Formosa and staged the Open Portugal in October 2017. A 2023 report counted four golf croquet clubs in the region under the Portuguese Croquet Association.
What the Algarve's lawns and weather mean for your mallet
The Algarve's Mediterranean climate brings long, hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters, so play continues most of the year. In midsummer a lawn can bake hard and run very quickly, rewarding a light, accurate touch; after winter rain the same court plays noticeably slower. Heat does not trouble aluminium.
Which Invictus mallet suits Algarve players
Invictus Rise, US$695. Our most popular mallet, its roughly 3 lb aluminium head and slightly larger sweet spot make it a touch more forgiving through the slower winter months. We usually fit the 11 inch head.
RF Pro, US$1,295. The flagship designed with World Champion Robert Fletcher. Its head is 3D printed aluminium with brass weights and composite faces, totalling near 2 lb 12 oz: lighter, very precise, and a fine match for a hard August lawn.
We start each one only when ordered, to your handle length, with your pick of 11 or 12 inch heads. Graphite Black comes standard; Snow White, NRA Blue, Rose Gold and Deep Purple are a US$119 upgrade. Neither model's weight can be changed. Our fitting guide explains measuring, and compare mallets helps you choose.
Balls for Algarve clubs
The World Croquet Federation approves Invictus X for championship play. Each ball weighs 450 g, the set is made wholly in Australia, and it costs US$635. A rough rule is a first-colour set and a second-colour set per lawn, meaning four for a two-lawn club. Read what WCF approval means for a croquet ball.
Delivery to the Algarve
Allow usually four to eight weeks between order and arrival; please read that as an estimate, never a guarantee. You see the delivered cost to Portugal before paying.
Questions Algarve players ask
Is there a good month to order? Any month works, but ordering in spring means the mallet arrives before the hottest, fastest lawns.
How should I look after it in the sun? Wipe it down after play and store it out of the heat; product care has the details.
Can I change my mind? Yes, if you take the optional satisfaction guarantee at checkout: US$99, valid for 30 days.
Other European pages: croquet mallets and balls in Europe.
Designed in Queensland, made in Australia.