Croquet mallets and balls in Gainsborough
The short answer: croquet players in Gainsborough and west Lindsey can order an Invictus mallet cut to their handle length and delivered to the Trent valley, and the club can add championship approved balls whenever a lawn needs them. For newer members, we would put forward the Invictus Rise first.
Croquet in Gainsborough
Gainsborough Croquet Club plays at The Venue, Roses Sports Ground, on North Warren Road. Its spring 2026 notice in Gainsborough Life listed club sessions from April to September on Tuesday afternoons from 1 to 5 and on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons from 2 to 5, weather permitting. Free one hour tasters ran on selected Wednesdays through the summer and all equipment was supplied.
The club calls itself small and friendly, but its members travel. A June 2024 club report in the same magazine described players entering tournaments at High Wycombe, Budleigh Salterton, Sussex County in Brighton, Bury and Nailsea, and the Lincoln Cup singles and doubles at Woodhall Spa. One member finished second in a Nailsea championship series event, which carried automatic entry to the national final. That May the club also played its first league match, after the lawn had been scarified, cut and lined.
What Gainsborough's lawns and weather mean for your mallet
Gainsborough lies on the River Trent in the east of England, one of the drier parts of the country. A lawn that has been scarified in spring tends to run true and quick once summer dries it out, which rewards a smooth, measured stroke.
Which Invictus mallet suits Gainsborough players
Invictus Rise, £525. Our most popular mallet. Its aluminium head is roughly 3 lb with a slightly larger sweet spot, which makes it a little easier to control. The 11 inch head is our usual recommendation.
RF Pro, £975. The flagship mallet, developed with World Champion Robert Fletcher. Brass weights sit inside a 3D printed aluminium head with composite faces; at about 2 lb 12 oz it is lighter and very precise.
Every mallet is made to order at your handle length, with an 11 or 12 inch head. Graphite Black is standard; Snow White, NRA Blue, Rose Gold and Deep Purple are £89 extra. Weight is not a choice. See the mallet fitting guide or compare both mallets.
Balls for Gainsborough clubs
Invictus X balls hold World Croquet Federation championship approval. Each weighs 450 g, they are made entirely in Australia, and a set costs £479. As a rule of thumb a lawn needs one set in first colours and one in second; see how many sets a club needs.
Delivery to Gainsborough
As each mallet is built once ordered, expect it in Lincolnshire around 4 to 8 weeks after purchase. That is our estimate, not a fixed date.
Questions Gainsborough players ask
Should I buy after one taster? No rush; the club supplies equipment.
Which mallet for tournament play? Either will do; the lighter RF Pro is the one built around precision.
Is there a safety net? Yes, an optional 30-day satisfaction guarantee for £75.
More places in England: croquet mallets and balls in England.
Designed in Queensland, made in Australia.