Bowling Basics

The basics of lawn bowls

Rink: area in which play takes place, usually a flat, grassed area, bounded by boundary pegs

Centre line: the line down the centre of the rink

Jack: small white ball, rolled out along the centreline, the idea is to get bowls as close as possible to it

Bowls: the balls used by the player, up to four each, weighted on one side causing it to curve as it rolls

Mat: placed on the centre line, players stand on it to bowl

The bowling

  • Stand on the mat, feet together, knees and waist bent slightly
  • Take ball in your preferred hand (right or left)
  • Step out with your opposite foot (left or right)
  • Take a small back swing
  • Bend down and roll bowl along the ground
  • Roll it out at an angle, so the bowl curves back towards jack (see basics)
  • Avoid dropping or bouncing bowl so as not to damage green

Strategy

Draw shot: A slow, measured, finessed bowl trying to end closest to the jack

Drive shot: A harder, faster bowl used to try to knock other players’ bowls away

Scoring

  • The player who has their bowl or bowls closest to the jack wins
  • Points are awarded according to the number of bowls closest
  • Players judge the distance and number by eye
  • If in dispute, a measuring tape is employed
  • If still in dispute, an umpire called in to resolve 

    Learn the basics of lawn bowls and measure up to the competition. (Damien Larkins – ABC Local)

Sledging

Sledging is generally frowned upon in competition and social bowls, but can still happen and become quite heated.

However the rise of barefoot bowls has seen a more relaxed attitude emerge.

“As long as you have fun and it’s all done in a good spirit, it’s a great opportunity to stir each other up and have a bit of fun,” Brett says.

So get out there, keep it friendly and enjoy!  By Damien Larkins