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
Every player has heard the basic advice on how to hit a croquet ball. Stalk the ball, keep your head down, follow through. But how many of us do it with perfect, unwavering discipline on every single shot?
"I'll tell you who does," reveals top player and coach Mary McMahon. "Robert Fletcher, he's world champion. He does it every time. Yet we mere mortals think we can go out and play and we don't have to do that."
The truth is, these fundamentals are not just for beginners; they are the foundation of elite performance. Mastering this routine is the single most effective thing a player can do to build consistency and confidence.
As Mary says, "I guarantee you that if you really concentrated on that on every shot that you ever hit, whether it be in practice, you will improve because it will become muscle memory."
Here is her detailed, five-step guide to building a world-class shot routine.
Step 1: Stalk the Ball & Create the Picture
This is more than just walking up to your ball. It’s about creating a powerful mental image. "When you stalk and you line yourself up for that target, you have to make sure that your body is in line with it," Mary explains. "I am creating the picture of that tunnel and that laneway... I'm thinking a laser line going from my belly button to my target."
Step 2: Concrete Your Feet
Once you have established that perfect line, nothing else moves. "My feet are concreted to the ground," Mary stresses. "So often I see people, they stalk, they put the mallet down, and then they do this," she says, mimicking a shuffle. "Straight away, you've lost your line."
Step 3: Shift Your Focus from Target to Ball
Your body is now perfectly aligned with the target. Trust it. Your conscious mind can now forget the target and focus entirely on the point of impact. "Once you put your mallet down... you forget about that target ball," she instructs. "Your focus now is the center of your striking ball."
Step 4: Keep Your Head Down
This is the golden rule. Lifting your head to watch the ball’s journey is the most common cause of a missed shot, as it pulls your entire body off the line you so carefully created. "Your head should stay down," Mary insists. "Don't lift that head 'til you hear the clang of the balls. Watching it's not going to make it hit the ball."
Step 5: Play the Picture
This is the final thought before you swing. You have created the mental image of the ball travelling down that perfect tunnel to the target. Now, execute that vision. "When I go to play the ball, I've created the picture," Mary says. "I now 'play the picture' is what I'm saying in my mind."
By repeating this five-step process, you burn the routine into your nervous system. Eventually, thought becomes instinct, and you can let it flow under pressure.
Watch the Full Routine
For those who want to see it all together, here is Mary explaining the entire process in one continuous flow.
By repeating this five-step process on every shot in practice, you burn the routine into your nervous system. Eventually, thought becomes instinct, and you can let it flow under the pressure of competition.
Perfect Your Technique with Expert Feedback
Building a solid routine is essential, but it's crucial to ensure you're practising the correct habits. A coach can provide invaluable feedback on your stance, swing, and alignment that you simply cannot see yourself.
Book a coaching session to have an expert eye analyse your technique and accelerate your journey from conscious thought to unconscious competence.
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