Croquet mallets and balls in Ludlow

The short answer: croquet players in Ludlow and south Shropshire can order an Invictus mallet or Invictus X balls online, delivered to the door. For a club with weekly golf croquet roll-ups on two large lawns below the castle, we would put the Invictus Rise forward first.

Croquet in Ludlow

Ludlow Castle Croquet Club plays at The Linney, at the foot of Ludlow Castle, as a section of Ludlow Castle Tennis Club, and belongs to the West Midlands Federation. Grants from the Croquet Association, Mid Counties Co-op and Ludlow Town Council helped it grow. It has two large lawns, looked after by volunteers. Club days with drop-in games run on Sunday and Monday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm and on Thursday mornings, and a golf croquet roll-up fills Wednesday mornings; association croquet has no fixed session at present, but members book the lawns to arrange their own games. The lawns close on Tuesday and Friday mornings for maintenance. The season usually starts in late March or early April, once the lawns are ready, and ends when they become unplayable. Up the A49, Church Stretton Croquet Club has played Shrewsbury for the A49 Trophy.

What Ludlow's lawns and weather mean for your mallet

Ludlow lies on the Teme in the Welsh Marches, sheltered by hills but open to Atlantic weather coming in from Wales. A season that opens only when the lawns are ready, and closes when they are not, is played mostly on soft, moist grass. Golf croquet rewards firm, accurate striking, and that is easier with weight in the head and a face that forgives a slight mishit.

Which Invictus mallet suits Ludlow players

Invictus Rise, £525. Our most popular. Its aluminium head weighs about 3 lb, and with a sweet spot a little larger than usual it is a bit easier to control. We would pair it with the 11 inch head.

RF Pro, £975. The flagship, a mallet we created with World Champion Robert Fletcher. Its aluminium head is 3D printed, carries brass weights and has composite faces; at roughly 2 lb 12 oz it is lighter, and very precise.

Tell us your handle length and pick an 11 inch or 12 inch head, and the mallet is built to order. The standard finish is Graphite Black; Snow White, NRA Blue, Rose Gold and Deep Purple cost £89. Weight cannot be chosen. Our fitting guide and comparison page explain more.

Balls for Ludlow clubs

Invictus X balls hold World Croquet Federation championship approval, weigh 450 g and are made entirely in Australia, at £479 a set. Two large lawns need, as a guide, two first-colour and two second-colour sets. See ball colours explained.

Delivery to Ludlow

Each mallet is made once ordered, then sent to the UK; expect it usually 4 to 8 weeks after you order, an estimate only. For ball sets, the delivered price is agreed before payment.

Questions Ludlow players ask

I only play golf croquet roll-ups. Is my own mallet worth it? Yes, if you play weekly; one made to your handle length suits your stance.

Can I use it on club days before deciding? Yes, with our optional 30-day satisfaction guarantee for £75.

Will a wet Marches season harm the head? No. Dry the faces after play; see product care.

Elsewhere in England: our England page.

Designed in Queensland, made in Australia.