The focus of this category is on the equipment, accessories, and other products associated with the game of croquet, a lawn game that involves hitting wooden, plastic, or composite balls with a mallet through hoops, sometimes called wickets.
Croquet is both a ball sport and a mallet sport.
Several variations of the game exist, most of which differ in when and how a stroke may be legally played, when points are scored, the layout of the lawn, and the target score. Additionally, social games often adopt further non-standard variations to adapt play to the conditions.
However, in all forms of the game, individual players or teams take turns striking the balls, scoring points by knocking them through a hoop. The game ends when a player or team reaches a predetermined number of points. Players of all ages and genders compete on equal terms and are ranked together in all versions.
Two versions of the game are governed by the World Croquet Federation, although other regional variants remain common in various parts of the world.
While the rules and styles of croquet play may differ, the fundamental equipment and accessories are generally the same from one variant of the game to another.
Croquet mallets are typically made of wood. Standard mallets have a cylindrical head and a long handle. They vary in weight, length, and head size to suit different playing styles and preferences. Serious players might opt for advanced mallets made of carbon fiber with adjustable weights and grips, with adjustable weights and grips for improved control and performance.
Croquet balls are usually made of composite plastic and come in various colors to differentiate players' balls during a game. Balls used in competitive play must conform to specific size and weight regulations.
Wickets are the metal arches players aim to pass their balls through. They can vary in width and height depending on the croquet variation. High-quality wickets are made of durable metal to withstand outdoor conditions.
Stakes mark the beginning and end of the course. They are usually wooden, painted in the traditional croquet colors, and placed at the ends of the playing field.
Corner flags and pegs may be used to mark the boundaries of the playing area, ensuring that players adhere to the designated course. Boundary strings might also outline the playing area, particularly in tournaments and formal matches.
A trolley or carrying case may be used to transport equipment, particularly for club players traveling to different locations.
Major manufacturers of croquet sets or products used in croquet include Jaques of London, Garden Games, Oakley Woods Croquet, and Townsend Croquet.
These and other manufacturers of croquet equipment, accessories, and supplies, along with retailers focusing on selling and distributing croquet sets, are appropriate topics for this category.
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Available from Lehman's, a Kidron, Ohio store known for its non-electric products for the home and garden, this croquet set is made of solid maple, and designed to be durable. Rubber end caps protect the mallets from splitting, and the balls are made of indestructible plastic in six colors. The set sites neatly into a maple caddy. Made in the United States by an Amish craftsman, the set is available for purchase online. Details, photos, and prices are included.
https://www.lehmans.com/product/amish-crafted-croquet-set
Representing Oakley Woods Croquet, the online shopping site features high-quality, hand-crafted croquet equipment, including mallets, balls, and sets, for competitive and recreational play. Based in Brighton, Ontario, Canada, the company is known for producing high-quality croquet equipment designed to cater to players of all skill levels, from backyard croquet players to professional tournament players. An introduction to the company, its croquet sets, mallets, and equipment are provided.
https://oakleywoods.com/
Based in Australia, Invictus Mallets is known for its high-quality design and performance in croquet products. Designed by Robert Fletcher, a world-renowned croquet player, the mallets are designed to meet high standards of precision and power. The Invictus Mallets feature an aluminum head with brass end faces, providing balance for various shots in both Association Croquet and Golf Croquet. The site highlights the company's mallets and croquet balls, and a blog, FAQ, and contacts are included.
https://invictusmallets.com/
Founded in the late 1980s by Paris Manufacturing, a company that initially produced wood sleds and toboggans, North Meadow is a large manufacturer of high-quality croquet sets and equipment at its facilities in Norway, Maine. The company offers a range of products made in the United States for the croquet lawn game. Included are children's sets, four-player sets, six-player sets, wood box sets, and limited editions. Balls, caddies, mallets, stakes, and wickets may also be purchased separately.
http://northmeadowcroquet.com/
The company has been in business since 1982 and is located in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. It is known for its high quality of craftsmanship and competitive pricing. The company offers a range of croquet mallets and accessories, as well as polo mallets. Its site features croquet sets, mallets and accessories, and polo mallets and accessories. According to its website, most orders are shipping the same or the next day, although custom mallets may take up to five days, with exports averaging a week.
https://www.woodmallets.com/
