What Reg Bamford’s 16 Perfect Peg Shots Can Teach You About Croquet
We break down world champion Reg Bamford's 16 perfect shots to reveal how a simple, repeatable routine builds legendary consistency.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Are You Playing or Practising? A Top Player Explains the Difference
Learn the critical difference between playing and deliberate practice. This expert guide provides a blueprint to structure your training and unlock your true potential on the lawn
Most players who want to improve spend more time on the lawn. Mary McMahon says that's not enough. It depends on what you're doing out there.
"Practice is not going down three days a week, going on a court, and doing exactly the same thing you do every week without conscious change," she says. "Because you're not practicing, you are playing. And if you are happy with playing, that's fine. But if you want to improve, then you have to decide how you are going to practice."
The first step is knowing what you're aiming for. "You have to define what is improvement," Mary says. "If you don't write stuff down and keep a record, you don't know whether you've improved. It's tedious, but you've got to get a plan."
Mary structures her practice around three ideas.
1. Theme Your Days: Instead of random hitting, dedicate sessions to specific skills. "Monday is hoop running day," she says. "Tuesday, that's my roquet day." This focused approach ensures every core skill gets dedicated attention.
2. Use Drills, Not Just Games: Improvement comes from repetition. Mary will line up eight balls, a yard from a hoop, and hit them through, one after the other. Her husband sends them back, and she does it again. And again. This builds muscle memory far more effectively than a casual game.
3. Practice Your Weaknesses: Most people gravitate to what they're already good at. Mary does the opposite. "My advice is practice what you're not good at. Practice that more," she says. "You may not enjoy it. You may get frustrated... but drills are the thing. I can't stress that enough."
The repetition pays off in competition. You know you can make the shot because you've made it hundreds of times. As Mary says, "Practice is where the magic happens. When you go to play a competition, that's when you let it all flow."
Sign up to get coaching.
Related Articles
You Will Win In Croquet if Your Master These 3 Shots
Learn the three shots that form the foundation of winning croquet. An expert guide to the strategic lag, the controlling roquet, and the confident hoop run.
Start as a Club Player, End Up on the World Stage
Read the inspiring story of how Queensland player Mary McMahon turned a moment of inspiration into a journey to the international croquet stage.
Made with Bullet