Croquet mallets and balls in Chicago
The short answer: if you play croquet anywhere around Chicago, you can buy an Invictus mallet or a set of Invictus X balls from our website and we ship it to you in Illinois. For a short lakefront season on public greens, the Invictus Rise, our most popular model, is our usual suggestion.
Croquet in Chicago
Since 2000 the city's main club, the Chicago Croquet Club, has made its home in Jackson Park, celebrating a quarter century there in 2025. Its two lawns belong to the park's historic lawn bowling facility, which dates from 1927, and lie beside Lake Shore Drive, a short walk below the science museum and facing the Obama Presidential Center. The greens open seasonally, and members gather for weekend play from 9 a.m. until midday. Members play six-wicket, golf croquet and nine-wicket, and USCA members are welcome. The club is a non-profit, runs tournaments and welcomes newcomers. A wider Chicago Croquet League has brought clubs from the city and suburbs together for play.
What Chicago's greens and climate mean for your mallet
Winters close the lawns, so the outdoor season runs from late spring into fall. Summers can be hot and humid inland, while the lake often keeps shoreline parks a few degrees cooler, and morning dew is common at a 9 a.m. start. After heavy summer thunderstorms a park green plays slow; in a dry August spell it quickens.
The right Invictus mallet for Chicago
Invictus Rise, US$695. Three pounds or so of aluminum up front, plus a slightly larger sweet spot, keep the Rise a little easier to control when the grass is still wet with dew. We normally fit it with an 11 inch head.
RF Pro, US$1,295. The top of our range, designed together with World Champion Robert Fletcher. Its head is 3D printed from aluminum, loaded with brass weights and faced in composite; weighing close to 2 lb 12 oz, it is the lighter, very precise option for experienced six-wicket players.
We make each one to order to your handle length and to an 11 or 12 inch head size. Graphite Black is supplied as standard; Rose Gold, Deep Purple, Snow White or NRA Blue is US$119 on top. Start with the fitting guide, then compare mallets.
Balls for Chicago clubs
Each Invictus X ball weighs 450 g, the World Croquet Federation has approved them for championship play, and they are made entirely in Australia. Sets cost US$635. Clubs can use one first-color and one second-color set per lawn as a guide; our club ball-set guide explains the reasoning.
Delivery to Chicago
We build each mallet to order, then ship it to Illinois, usually 4 to 8 weeks after you order; that figure is an estimate. Ball sets are different: you get the delivered price from us first and pay once you accept it.
What Chicago players ask us
Is late winter a good time to order? Yes; it gives the mallet time to arrive before the greens open.
What if I change my mind? Add our optional 30-day satisfaction guarantee for US$99 and play a month of weekend games before deciding.
Can it live in an unheated garage over winter? Cold does not harm aluminum, though a dry indoor spot is kinder to the grip; see product care.
Other American places: see our United States page.
Designed in Queensland, made in Australia.