Croquet mallets and balls in Charlton
The short answer: Charlton players can order an Invictus mallet or Invictus X balls online and have them delivered in Buloke Shire. For a club that plays both association and golf croquet on two lit lawns, the Invictus Rise is our first suggestion and the RF Pro is the choice for the August open tournament crowd.
Croquet in Charlton
Charlton Croquet Club calls itself one of the oldest in Victoria, and its history backs that up. The first local reference to croquet appeared in the East Charlton Tribune in March 1880, when games were played on an earth court near the old primary school. Players joined the tennis club's gravel courts in Halliday Street in 1906, set up on their own in 1909, planted their first lawn in 1922 and moved to the present site at 7 Mildura Way, over the bridge beside the park, in 1953; the clubhouse opened in 1972. Today there are two A-grade lawns with lights. Association croquet is played on Thursdays and Saturdays and golf croquet on Mondays and Thursdays, from a September to May season, with social play through winter. Teams play the Murray Valley region's pennant, and every August since 1973 the club has run an open tournament, along with the Peg McGrath Doubles and the Courtney Keith Challenge on closing day.
What Charlton's lawns and weather mean for your mallet
Charlton lies on the Avoca River in the wheat country of north-west Victoria. Summers are hot and dry, so the lawns run firm and quick, and the lights allow cooler evening play. Winters are cold and frosty, and the grass slows and holds the ball, which matters for the August tournament.
Which Invictus mallet suits Charlton players
Invictus Rise, A$990. No Invictus is more popular. About 3 lb of aluminium in the head pushes the ball across a cold August lawn, and a sweet spot slightly bigger than usual keeps control a little easier. We recommend it with an 11 inch head.
RF Pro, A$1,980. Our flagship owes its design to work with World Champion Robert Fletcher. The 3D printed aluminium head is weighted with brass and faced with composite, and the whole mallet is roughly 2 lb 12 oz: lighter and very precise for association breaks and pennant.
You choose the handle length and an 11 or 12 inch head, and we make the mallet once you order. It comes in Graphite Black, or in Deep Purple, Snow White, Rose Gold or NRA Blue for A$130.90 more. Use our comparison and fitting page.
Balls for Charlton clubs
A club that has hosted an open tournament for half a century needs balls fit for championship play. Invictus X has that World Croquet Federation approval, weighs 450 g and is made entirely in Australia, at A$990 a set; two lawns usually need two first-colour and two second-colour sets. See what WCF approval means.
Delivery to Charlton
Plan on roughly 4 to 8 weeks from order to arrival in Charlton; that is our estimate for a made-to-order mallet. Ball sets are quoted with delivery for the club.
Questions Charlton players ask
When should I order for the August tournament? Allow 4 to 8 weeks, an estimate, so order by early June.
Can I play pennant with it before deciding? Yes, for 30 days, with the optional A$99 satisfaction guarantee.
Will frost hurt it? No. Dry the faces after play; product care explains.
More of Victoria: Victorian croquet towns.
Designed in Queensland, made in Australia.