From a Backyard Chat to a Game‑Changer

The Story Behind SwingW8

It began with a simple favor between neighbors at Wyndemere Country Club in Naples, Florida. John Joseph—a semi‑retired attorney, certified croquet official, and long‑time instructor—asked his friend Gil LaCroix, a retired engineer and accomplished woodworker, to cut a block of wood so he could check the width of croquet wickets.

Gil delivered far more than a plain block: he crafted a beautifully finished piece complete with the club logo. John’s jaw dropped. He looked at Gil and said, “You could make me a croquet mallet.”

That remark sparked countless conversations about mallet performance—especially weight. When John explained how players borrow mallets of different weights and lengths before buying, Gil had a light‑bulb moment:

“What if I could design a mallet whose weight can be adjusted?”

From that day on, Gil and John collaborated on every prototype: Gil engineered new concepts, and John put each version through its paces on the lawn, sending real‑world feedback straight back into design. Their shared goal: one mallet that adapts to any player at any stage of their game.

Timeline of Innovation

• Feb – Apr 2024 — First prototype. Wooden head with 3D‑printed parts; immediate on‑court testing.
• May – Jun 2024 — Project named SwingW8 (a nod to “swing weight”). John competes with early versions.
• Jul 2024 — Provisional patent filed for “CROQUET MALLET WITH ADJUSTABLE WEIGHT AND LENGTH.”
• Aug – Dec 2024 — Material upgrade to high‑MOI composites; feel and durability improved.
• Jan – Apr 2025 — Wider field testing by additional players at tournament level.
• May – Jul 2025 — Final design locked; non‑provisional patent filed; durability validated in competition.

Where We Are Now

What began as a neighborly challenge is now SwingW8—an adjustable mallet system that hands true customization to the player. Gil’s engineering vision and John’s on‑court testing have produced a mallet that adapts to you, whether you’re a national‑level competitor or a dedicated club regular.

The future of croquet is here, all because two neighbors teamed up—one to design, one to test—and asked, “What if … ?”