Croquet mallets and balls in Winchester
The short answer: Winchester croquet players can order an Invictus mallet or a set of Invictus X balls online and have it delivered in and around the city. On Hampshire's quick-draining lawns the light, precise RF Pro has real appeal, but for most club players the Invictus Rise remains our first recommendation.
Croquet in Winchester
Winchester has two croquet clubs, both in the Southern Federation. Winchester Croquet Club plays on two lawns at the Winchester Racquets and Fitness Club in Bereweeke Road. A few miles out, Littleton Croquet Club was formed in 1983 and has two lawns on the recreation ground beside the Millennium Hall in Littleton. Its season runs from April to the end of February, weather permitting; members can use club equipment and get coaching from experienced players, and the social year is built around an annual dinner in April and a summer barbecue in July. Littleton has won grants towards lawn aerating equipment, re-turfing after damage and a lawn irrigation system.
What Winchester's lawns and weather mean for your mallet
Winchester sits in chalk country, in the valley of the Itchen, and chalk ground drains quickly. In a dry summer, lawns here firm up and run fast, which is why watering has been a priority at Littleton. From late autumn into February, rain and short days leave the grass slower and softer. A good Winchester mallet must stay accurate on a quick surface without feeling underpowered in winter.
Which Invictus mallet suits Winchester players
Invictus Rise, £525. Our most popular mallet: an aluminium head of about 3 lb, with a sweet spot that is slightly larger than usual, so it is a little easier to control. It is the safer pick for a season that runs into February. We usually advise the 11 inch head.
RF Pro, £975. Our flagship mallet, the result of work with World Champion Robert Fletcher. Expect a 3D printed aluminium head with brass weights and composite faces, about 2 lb 12 oz in total. It is lighter and very precise, well suited to firm summer lawns on chalk.
Either model is made to order with your handle length and a head of 11 or 12 inches. Standard colour is Graphite Black; Rose Gold, Deep Purple, NRA Blue or Snow White are an £89 upgrade. Weight cannot be specified. Use the fitting guide and compare our mallets before you order.
Balls for Winchester clubs
Invictus X balls are championship approved by the World Croquet Federation, weigh 450 g, are made entirely in Australia and sell for £479 a set. For a two-lawn club the guide is two sets per lawn: one in first colours, one in second. Learn more in what WCF approval means for a ball.
Delivery to Winchester
Mallets are built on order and sent to the UK; most reach Hampshire about 4 to 8 weeks after ordering, though that is an estimate. On balls, we confirm the delivered price before you pay.
Questions Winchester players ask
Will the RF Pro feel too light on soft winter grass? Some players think so and choose the Rise; if you mainly play the summer season, the RF Pro's precision comes into its own.
Is there a way to play with it before keeping it? Yes. The optional 30-day satisfaction guarantee costs £75.
Does an aluminium head need special care? Very little: dry it after damp play and store it indoors. See product care.
Find more towns on our England croquet page.
Designed in Queensland, made in Australia.