Croquet mallets and balls in Christchurch
The short answer: Christchurch and Canterbury players can order an Invictus mallet, built to their own handle length, or Invictus X championship balls, and we deliver them from Australia. On lawns that are hard and fast one month and soft the next, we steer most club players towards the Invictus Rise.
Croquet in Christchurch
Canterbury has a deep network of croquet clubs. The Canterbury Croquet Association lists 14 outdoor clubs: Akaroa, Barrington Park, Broadfield, Cashmere, Edgeware, Elmwood, Fendalton Park, Holmes Park, Hornby, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, St James Park, St Martins and United, whose lawns are in Hagley Park. The outdoor season runs from September to March, and six indoor clubs carry the game from April to the end of August, which the association suggests is a good way to learn.
All three codes are played: association croquet, golf croquet and gateball. The association's calendar includes the AC Open, the Agnes Dick Handicap Doubles and golf croquet singles and doubles events, and it keeps a page for Canterbury's own world champions. Newcomers are told simply to visit a club and talk to the players.
What Christchurch's lawns and weather mean for your mallet
Canterbury summers bring the hot, dry nor'wester, which can bake a lawn firm and quick within days, while autumn and spring are cooler and greener. Frost is common in winter, which is when play moves indoors. A mallet for a Christchurch season has to hold its line on a fast, dry surface without leaving you short on a softer spring lawn. Neither heat nor frost affects an aluminium head.
Which Invictus mallet suits Christchurch players
Invictus Rise. Our most popular mallet, its aluminium head weighing roughly 3 lb. The sweet spot is a touch larger, so it is a little easier to control, and we usually suggest the 11 inch head with it.
RF Pro. The flagship we designed with World Champion Robert Fletcher: 3D printed aluminium, brass weights, composite faces, about 2 lb 12 oz. Lighter and very precise, it rewards a clean stroke on a quick summer lawn.
We make both to order. Give us your handle length, choose an 11 or 12 inch head, and take Graphite Black or pay extra for Snow White, NRA Blue, Rose Gold or Deep Purple. Weight cannot be chosen. Use the mallet fitting page to measure and compare mallets to choose.
Balls for Christchurch clubs
Invictus X is a 450 g ball approved by the World Croquet Federation for championship play, and it is made entirely in Australia. A club usually plans on one first-colour and one second-colour set per lawn; how to choose croquet balls for a club covers the rest.
Delivery to Christchurch
Every mallet is made once the order is in and comes from Australia, usually 4 to 8 weeks from order as an estimate. For ball sets, we confirm what delivery to your address costs before you pay.
Questions Christchurch players ask
When should I order for the new season? Allow the 4 to 8 week estimate before September, so the mallet arrives as the outdoor lawns open.
Is the RF Pro too light for Canterbury? Not on a firm summer lawn, where its precision pays off. If your club's lawns often play slow, the 3 lb Rise is the safer choice.
What if it does not suit my game? The free 30-day satisfaction guarantee lets you play club games with it before deciding.
More places in New Zealand: croquet mallets and balls across New Zealand.
Designed in Queensland, made in Australia.