Original Mallet Options

When selecting a mallet the three main options to consider are overall length and weight and type of shaft.

Mallet length

About 70% of our customers start with a 36” mallet although taller or shorter people are advised to adjust the length accordingly. Mallets of 33” -35” are popular at club level. Many players find that if they start with a 36” mallet it’s relatively easy to shorten if required depending on their style and preferences. Apart from the height of a player, the ideal height of a mallet depends on what style of grip the player uses and their stance. There are three commonly used styles, the standard grip, Irish grip and Solomon grip. New players should try out different mallets and grip styles before deciding what length to order. Once you’ve established what feels comfortable for you, measure from the ground to half an inch above your top hand. This should be the overall length. Remember, it’s easier to shorten a handle than it is to lengthen it! We can custom make handles to virtually any length.

 

Mallet weight

A 3.00 lb mallet is usually a good compromise and neither extreme is recommended. A heavier mallet like 3 lbs 2 oz will help for longer shots but is more difficult to control for stop shots etc. Lighter mallets of about 2 lb.14 oz can offer for more control but with less head weight the likelihood of the head twisting during the swing is higher and more effort is required for long roquets and croquets. Another important factor to bear in mind is the condition of the lawns. Obviously a lighter mallet is better on a hard and fast lawn and conversely a heavy mallet is advantageous on a slow heavy lawn. The previous recommendations assume that tournament balls weighing 1.00 lb are being used.

Head size

Our standard head size is 9 1/4” long (235 mm) by 2 3/8″ wide (60 mm) by 2 1/2″ high (65 mm). This is a good size to start with. Experienced players tend to use longer heads up to 12” in length and often prefer slightly narrower heads. We manufacture a wide range of custom heads to suit players preferences. We’re happy to custom make whatever sized head a player requests at an additional charge of NZ$40.00

Grips

We’ve used a range of grips over the years but the best grip yet is the Mazon brand used predominantly on Hockey sticks. These are extremely comfortable, lightweight, and long lasting. They’re available in a black, blue, purple, silver or lime.

 

 

Our traditional split leather grips are still available upon request but in limited colours and quantities. Quite frankly, they’re not as good as the Mazon grips.

Some players also prefer an 8” roll grip fitted to the lower section of the shaft for better control when making roll shots. These can be fitted for an additional fee of NZ$15.00

The closed cell foam EVA grips on our new carbon handles don’t need over wraps fitted as they’re comfortable as they are. The material is light, waterproof, hard wearing and very comfortable.

Mallet Shaft

We make wooden, fibre glass and Carbon shafts.

Turned American white ash handles are the most economical and are used by a large proportion of pla yers worldwide. Each handle are stress tested in the workshop and great care is taken to ensure that the grain runs in line with the head. They shouldn’t break in the course of reasonable use and care.

The solid fibre glass handles are preferred by a minority for their driving power and the fact that they’re virtually indestructible but they are heavy which is detrimental to the balance of the mallet.

Our Carbon 17 mm tubular handles on the Evolution and Discovery mallets have overcome this and are considerably lighter and very strong. They’re made to a reasonably stiff flex unless otherwise requested. We do have a more flexible shaft if preferred. The long length octagonal EVA closed cell grip is the ultimate grip material being waterproof and comfortable and light. The whole handle weighs and average of just 10 ounces.

 

 

Removable Head for Carbon Shafts

The Carbon shafts on the Discovery and Evolution mallets can have aluminium fittings so that heads may be removed with the use of an Allen key as pictured. This is an optional extra at an additional cost of NZ$70.00

 

Peripheral

Only relatively recently have the rules of croquet allowed the use of metal end plates. This has advanced the development and efficiency of the croquet mallet to a whole new level. By increasing the length of the head, and re-distributing some of the mass to the striking faces, the moment of inertia is increased. This makes the head more stable during the swing, particularly for making accurate rushes, long roquets, and hitting-in. Also the mallet is less likely to twist when shots are hit off-centre. It’s fair to say that this makes these type of mallets more accurate.

Matched with a lightweight carbon tubular shaft and EVA grip material these make a superbly balanced mallets that provide the player with more power and yet maintain better control.