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.
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For every player who wants to lower their handicap, there is a fundamental question they must ask themselves: is my time on the lawn spent playing, or is it spent practising?
According to top Queensland player Mary McMahon, they are not the same thing.
"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 states plainly. "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 to change your mindset from hoping for improvement to planning for it. This begins with defining what success looks like and measuring your progress. "You have to define what is improvement," Mary advises. "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."
So, what does an effective practice plan look like? Mary shares her own blueprint, built on three core principles.
1. Theme Your Days: Instead of random hitting, dedicate sessions to specific skills. "Monday is hoop running day," she explains. "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: It’s tempting to work on what we already do well, but real improvement lies in confronting our limitations. "My advice is practice what you're not good at. Practice that more," she insists. "You may not enjoy it. You may get frustrated... but drills are the thing. I can't stress that enough."
The hard work you do alone on the lawn is what allows you to perform under pressure in a competition. It builds the confidence to know, not just hope, that you can make the shot. As Mary says, "Practice is where the magic happens. When you go to play a competition, that's when you let it all flow."
Structure Your Practice with Expert Coaching
A plan is the first step, but expert guidance can make your practice sessions dramatically more effective. A coach can provide you with proven drills, identify flaws in your technique, and help you create a structured plan tailored to your specific goals.
Stop playing and start practising with purpose.
Sign up for a coaching session today and unlock your true potential.
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