Choosing a Croquet Set

Croquet sets come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and the old adage that 'you get what you pay for' is generally very true when it comes to croquet sets. We hope the following guidelines may be of some assistance, but please do not hesitate to contact us for expert advice if you would like to discuss the options further.

One of the most important (and expensive) ingredients of a croquet set is the mallets. Low-end garden sets will have light-weight mallets of around 2 lbs or less, and will generally also come with lighter balls. The cheapest mallets are made of ordinary hardwood, with a round 'broomstick' handle. These will not last as long as mallets made of a better hardwood such as Ash, and there is less give in the handles. This means they will be more likely to jar the arms on heavier shots. Better sets will have mallets with Ash or Hickory handles, which feel nicer to play with. The handles may still be round, but for a little more they will have an octagonal cross-section, which gives the user a more instinctive feel for which way the mallet is pointing. As the sets get more expensive, the mallets will get heavier (an ideal weight is around 3lb), and the head will be protected by either brass bands or a hard plastic end-face, both of which help to stop the head becoming damaged with use. For more details on choosing croquet mallets, click here

The next thing to consider is the balls, and in particular their weight. If the set is to be used by young children, it may be better to choose a set with 12 ounce balls rather than the regulation 16 ounce. Also beware of sets with heavier 16 oz balls if the mallets are lightweight (less than 2 1/2 lbs). However, more enthusiastic players will want to go for regulation weight balls. For more information about choosing balls, click here

Another important ingredient is the hoops. Cheaper sets will have hoops made from thinner wire, and which have shorter legs. Most garden sets will have straight-wire legs, with no 'carrot', and these are perfectly adequate for casual garden play. The thicker the wire on such hoops, the better they will perform. Tournament quality hoops will be much heavier, and have 'carrots' on each leg, which help to hold the ground more firmly. For more information on choosing hoops, click here

Finally, you should look at the other items to be provided. Do you want the set in a wooden box, or will a flimsier box or bag be adequate? Does the set come with clips (to mark the next hoop for each ball), corner flags, etc.?

If you see a set sold by the Croquet Association which is close to your needs, but you would like to change something in it, please contact us. It is often possible to switch out some items for others of higher (or lower) quality for a small additional price. For example, we are sometimes asked to supply an adult set with one or two children's mallets instead of having all four mallets the same, and we are delighted to help and advise where we can.

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