Croquet mallets and balls in Bairnsdale
The short answer: Bairnsdale players can buy an Invictus mallet or Invictus X balls online and have them sent to East Gippsland. For golf croquet on the Pearson Street lawns, the Invictus Rise is the mallet we suggest first, with the RF Pro for pennant players who want extra precision.
Croquet in Bairnsdale
Bairnsdale Croquet Club turned 100 in 2021 and now has more than 80 members. It plays on grass courts within the Bairnsdale Bowling Club complex in Pearson Street, from Tuesday to Saturday; the courts close on Mondays for maintenance. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday are club days with a draw for partners, Thursday is set aside for coaching and practice, and Tuesday belongs to golf croquet pennant in the Gippsland Croquet Association. Each year it plays the Nancy Hills Tournament to raise money for a local charity, named after a former president who helped start clubs at Sarsfield, Lakes Entrance and Orbost; lawn three has carried her name since 2016.
What Bairnsdale's lawns and weather mean for your mallet
East Gippsland sits between the mountains and the lakes, with warm summers and cool winters. Through December to March the courts dry out and quicken, and golf croquet rewards soft, accurate strokes. In the cooler months the grass slows, and the ball wants a firmer hit to reach the hoop.
Which Invictus mallet suits Bairnsdale players
Invictus Rise, A$990. Our most popular mallet. An aluminium head of roughly 3 lb drives the ball on slow winter grass, and the sweet spot is slightly larger, which makes it a little easier to control. Usually ordered with an 11 inch head.
RF Pro, A$1,980. Developed with World Champion Robert Fletcher, the RF Pro is our flagship. Its aluminium head is 3D printed and fitted with brass weights and composite faces, for about 2 lb 12 oz: lighter and very precise when Tuesday pennant gets tight.
Both are made for the player who orders them: handle to your length, an 11 inch or 12 inch head, and Graphite Black unless you want Snow White, Rose Gold, NRA Blue or Deep Purple (A$130.90 extra). Our fitting page covers measuring, and compare mallets covers the choice.
Balls for Bairnsdale clubs
Invictus X has World Croquet Federation championship approval, weighs 450 g and is made entirely in Australia. A set costs A$990, and the usual rule of thumb is a first-colour set and a second-colour set for each lawn.
Delivery to Bairnsdale
Allow around 4 to 8 weeks from order for a made-to-order mallet to arrive in Bairnsdale (an estimate, not a guaranteed date). For ball sets, tell us how many lawns you play on and we will quote with delivery included.
Questions Bairnsdale players ask
I only play golf croquet. Does that change the choice? Both mallets suit golf croquet; the Rise is the forgiving option, the RF Pro the precise one.
Can I try it at the club first? Yes. The optional satisfaction guarantee, A$99, gives you 30 days of club days and coaching sessions before you decide.
Should I pick the 11 or the 12 inch head? With the Rise we usually recommend 11 inches; the RF Pro comes in either, and the product care notes then cover keeping either head in good order.
Further afield in Victoria: the Victoria hub.
Designed in Queensland, made in Australia.