Croquet mallets and balls in Cork
The short answer: Cork players can order an Invictus mallet or Invictus X championship balls from us, built to order in Australia and delivered to the city or the harbour towns. On Cork's soft, rain-fed grass the 3 lb Invictus Rise is where we would start most people.
Croquet in Cork
Cork was a serious croquet county well over a century ago. Croquet Ireland's records show the South of Ireland Championship played in Cork in 1902, Rushbrooke laying out 10 lawns for its tournament in 1904, and the 1907 Cork tournament spread across 11 lawns at the Mardyke.
Rushbrooke Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, in Cobh on Cork Harbour, traces its story to 1870, when it began as a croquet club; tennis arrived about a decade later. It still hosts national tournaments, plays mainly golf croquet, and staged the Silver Medal in 1987. Monkstown Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, also on the harbour, is the county's other club on Croquet Ireland's list.
What Cork's lawns and weather mean for your mallet
Cork sits close to the Atlantic, and its climate is mild and wet rather than extreme: cool summers, gentle winters and rain in any month. Harbour lawns stay green, but after a wet spell they play soft and heavy. Golf croquet asks you to send the ball cleanly through a hoop from a distance, and on damp grass a weightier head does more of that work, so you are not forcing the stroke. Aluminium is untroubled by a soaking, too.
Which Invictus mallet suits Cork players
Invictus Rise, US$695. Our most popular mallet, with an aluminium head of about 3 lb and a sweet spot slightly larger than most, which makes it a little easier to control. It usually goes with an 11 inch head.
RF Pro, US$1,295. The flagship, created with World Champion Robert Fletcher. Brass weights and composite faces sit in a 3D printed aluminium head of roughly 2 lb 12 oz, giving a lighter and very precise mallet.
Both are made for you: tell us your handle length and pick an 11 or 12 inch head. Graphite Black is standard, while Snow White, NRA Blue, Rose Gold and Deep Purple add US$119. Our fitting guide shows how to measure, and compare mallets lays out the differences.
Balls for Cork clubs
Invictus X is a 450 g ball with World Croquet Federation championship approval, made entirely in Australia, at US$635 for a set of four. Plan on one first-colour set and one second-colour set for each lawn as a starting guide. Our page on croquet ball colours explains how first and second colours work.
Delivery to Cork
We start each mallet when you order, and it usually takes 4 to 8 weeks to reach Cork, as an estimate rather than a fixed date. Ball sets are quoted to your address: we confirm the delivered price before you pay.
Questions Cork players ask
Can I choose how heavy the head is? No. Weight comes with the model, so you choose by model instead: about 3 lb for the Rise, about 2 lb 12 oz for the RF Pro.
What if it does not suit me? Add the free 30-day satisfaction guarantee and you can play club games with it before deciding to keep it.
11 or 12 inch head? We usually recommend 11 inches with the Rise; the fitting guide helps you decide.
Other places in Ireland: croquet mallets and balls across Ireland.
Designed in Queensland, made in Australia.