Croquet mallets and balls in Nowra and the Shoalhaven
The short answer: Shoalhaven players can order an Invictus mallet or Invictus X balls online, made to order and delivered to the door. On these mild, often damp coastal lawns, we usually suggest the Invictus Rise.
Croquet in Nowra and the Shoalhaven
The Nowra Croquet Club plays at Bomaderry, on the north bank of the river, and the town also has the West Street club. Further south, the Milton Ulladulla Croquet Club plays at Milton Showground in Croobyar Road, seven days a week, with beginner lessons and club mallets to borrow. They belong to a group of eight Illawarra and Shoalhaven clubs, alongside Wollongong, Lake Illawarra, Jamberoo, Southern Highlands and Bundanoon; on World Croquet Day, the first Saturday in May, many open their gates. In 2019 Milton Ulladulla members drove through heavy rain to Nowra for a golf croquet social day, then went back in July to learn gateball, the Japanese team game, with Jamberoo players coaching.
What the Shoalhaven's lawns and weather mean for your mallet
This stretch of the south coast has a gentle climate: warm summers, cool winters and little frost near the sea. Rain is the variable. East coast lows can drop days of it, leaving a lawn soft and slow, while a dry late summer firms the courts. A bit of head weight helps in the soggy weeks.
Which Invictus mallet suits Shoalhaven players
Invictus Rise, A$990. Of our two mallets, this is the one players buy most. Roughly 3 lb of aluminium sits in the head to carry the ball through soft turf, and the sweet spot is cut a touch wider, so the Rise is a little easier to control. Pair it with the 11 inch head.
RF Pro, A$1,980. World Champion Robert Fletcher helped develop our flagship. Inside the 3D printed aluminium head are brass weights, and the striking faces are composite; it tips the scales near 2 lb 12 oz, so it is lighter and very precise.
Send us your handle length, pick the 11 or the 12 inch head, and the mallet comes in Graphite Black, or in Snow White, NRA Blue, Rose Gold or Deep Purple for an extra A$130.90. Our guide to mallet fitting covers measuring, and the mallet comparison covers choosing.
Balls for Shoalhaven clubs
A set of Invictus X costs A$990. Each ball is 450 g, they are made entirely in Australia, and the World Croquet Federation has approved them for championship play. Count on a first-colour set and a second-colour set for each lawn. Our club ball buying guide goes further.
Delivery to Nowra and the Shoalhaven
Mallets are made only after ordering, so delivery to Nowra, Milton or Ulladulla is usually 4 to 8 weeks away. That is an estimate.
Questions Shoalhaven players ask
How heavy should my mallet be? You do not pick a weight; it comes with the model, about 3 lb for the Rise and about 2 lb 12 oz for the RF Pro.
I have been borrowing club mallets at Milton. Where do I start? Most people start with the Rise, made to their handle length.
Can I try it at my club before I commit? Yes. Add our optional satisfaction guarantee for A$99 and you have 30 days of club games to make up your mind.
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