The selection of equipment can be a daunting task without some background information about the differences. Croquet is played at many different levels; from children playing garden croquet with 'toy' sets to world champions on laser-leveled lawns. The equipment used varies greatly in size and price. The chart below breaks down the basic differences between them. It is meant simply as a guide for intended use. When you have decided what you want the equipment for, you can then continue on to the listing of suppliers below to shop the world of croquet supplies.
Some suppliers have links that can be clicked on in their respective categories.
CLASS A MALLET - 36" tall, Head: 9" minimum, Weight is typically 3 lb + WICKET - 5/8" thick uprights, 3-3/4" opening BALL - 3-5/8" diameter, 16 ounce STAKE - 1, 18" above ground, 1-1/2" diameter, removable clip extension COURT - Size: 105' X 84', Short grass 1/4", Bowling green flatness, USE - Conforms to CA (England) & USCA (USA) regulations. Tournament level play
CLASS B MALLET - 32" - 36" tall, Head: 9" minimum, Weight range 2lb-4oz to 3 lb WICKET - 7/16" thick uprights, 4" opening BALL - 3-5/8" diameter, 14 - 16 ounce STAKE - 1, 18" above ground, 1-1/2" diameter, removable clip extension COURT - Size: 105' X 84', or proportionally smaller using the 5:4 ratio no smaller than 1/2 size, Short grass, 1/4" - 3/4" USE - Conforms to CA (England) & USCA (USA) regulations, Tournament & club level play
CLASS C MALLET - 32" - 36" tall, Head: 9" minimum, Weight range 2lb to 3 lb WICKET - 5/16" - 7/16" thick uprights, 4" opening BALL - 3-5/8" diameter, 12 - 14 ounce STAKE - 1, 18" above ground, 1-1/2" diameter, removable clip extension COURT - Size: 105' X 84', or proportionally smaller using the 5:4 ratio no smaller than 1/2 size, Grass up to 3/4", Equivalent to golf fairway smoothness USE - Collegiate, informal club & garden play
CLASS D MALLET - 30" - 36" tall, Head: 8" +, Weight range 1-1/2lb to 2lb USE - School & garden play, 9 wicket layout common WICKET - Up to 5/16" bent wire/steel, 4" - 5" opening BALL - 3-5/16" diameter, 9 - 14 ounce STAKES - 2, 12" - 14" above ground, 1" + diameter COURT - Full size or smaller fit available space, Grass up to 1-1/2", Equivalent to smooth backyard
CLASS E MALLET - 24" - 33" tall, Head: 6" +, Weight range less than 2lb WICKET - Up to 5/16" bent wire/steel, 4" - 5" opening BALL - 3" - 3-1/4" diameter, 9 + ounce STAKES - 2 COURT - Full size or smaller fit available space, Grass up to 2" USE - Children's sets, Garden play, 9 wicket layout common, (std or modified)
Links to Equipment Suppliers
Mallets
Arizona Mallets Class A mallets 3056 N. 32nd St. #339, Phoenix AZ, 85019 Phone (602) 955-1547
Australian Croquet Company Class A mallets PO Box 19, Littlehampton SA 5250 Phone 61-8398-3177
Bespoke Mallets Class A mallets Kingsbury, Argos Hill, Rotherfield E. Sussex TN6 3QH England Phone (011) 44-189-285-2072 In USA: 124 NE Fifth AVenue, Delray Beach, FL 33483 Phone (561) 278-1388
Brereton & Dunstone Class A mallets 91 Macarthur Avenue O'Connor ACT Australia 2601 Phone 61-6-247-4694
Clarkpoint Croquet Class D set PO Box 457 Southwest Harbor ME 04679 Phone (207) 244-9284
The Croquet Association Class A - C mallets 112 Potters Lane, Send, Woking, Surrey, England GU23 7AL + 44 1483 776971
Croquet People, The Class A mallets 1626 Liscourt Dr. Venice FL 34292-4300 Phone (941) 484-3206
Peter Couch Mallets 363 Greers Rd. Christchurch 5, New Zealand Phone 03-3526-112
Exact Advantage Class A mallets 91 Macarthur Avenue O'Connor ACT Australia 2601 Phone 61-6-247-4694
The Croquet Association Class A - C mallets 112 Potters Lane, Send, Woking, Surrey, England GU23 7AL + 44 1483 776971
Croquet Marketing of America Event management/equipment International Market Square, 275 Market Street, Suite 299, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55405 Phone: (612) 321-0707