Becoming skilled at any sport takes practice. Lawn bowling is certainly no different.
There are a few lucky folks who are inherently good at playing, but most people require time and practice to amp up their abilities. Fortunately, there’s no better excuse to lawn bowl regularly than needing to practice.
Beginners, welcome to the game! Here are seven tips for playing lawn bowls.
1 - Getting to Know the Game
Being eager to get on the green is awesome, but players are encouraged to understand the sport thoroughly before stepping into action.
Lawn bowling has particular rules and specific jargon. To avoid confusion, familiarize yourself with the terminology first.
Some terms to know include:
- Jack: the small target ball, typically white or pale yellow in color, that players aim their bowls toward throughout the game. The jack is also called the “kitty.”
- Rink: the designated strip of the green where a game is played.
- Green: the entire grassy field or turf where lawn bowling games are played.
- End: one round of gameplay.
- Bias: the built-in curvature of the ball that causes it to curve toward one side when rolled.
You’ll also want to learn about the team structure, point scoring system, and equipment.
2 - Understand the Ball Bias
Lawn bowls have a built-in bias that causes them to travel in an arc-like path. Their unique travel pattern is why lawn bowling is so strategic. To become competitive, players need to foresee how their bowl will travel and determine the force needed to propel it.
Before playing an official game, you’ll want to spend time delivering bowls and observing how they travel.
Bowls also come in different sizes and weights, so you’ll need to choose one that’s specific to you. The rule of thumb is to select the largest ball that fits in your hand without straining your hand or wrist. Many people opt for heavy-weighted balls because they’re influenced less by the wind, though smaller people may select lighter weight balls for ease of use.
3 - Read the Green
Everything happens on the green in lawn bowling. Hence, being able to assess the green before playing is a necessity.
The green may be outdoors, grassy, and uneven, or it may be indoors, made from artificial turf, and level. The surface of the green affects the bowl’s trajectory. For example, uneven areas with small slopes will cause bowls to travel faster, which influences the amount of power needed to deliver it.
If you aren’t delivering first, you have the advantage of watching how other players approach the green.
4 - Find Your Stance
Before starting a game, practice holding and delivering your bowl properly. There’s a certain rhythm to delivering a bowl and it’s often perfected in time.
Finding your stance is about understanding your body as it relates to lawn bowling. A proper stance supports natural arm swings, which can change the course of your games.
Not sure how to position yourself? Start here:
- Place one foot in front of the other, hip-width apart.
- Align your front foot with the target.
- Slightly bend your knees.
- Relax your shoulders.
You should be comfortable and the stance should be easily repeatable.
Pro tip: Don’t try to imitate another player's exact way of standing and delivering. What works for them may not work for you.
5 - Observe Where the Bowls Travel
Part of becoming a strategic lawn bowler involves paying attention to where the bowls rest.
Take note of the power used in your deliveries, how far your bowls travel, and what bowls landed too short or too far from the jack. Adjust accordingly based on the results from the previous delivery. Eventually, you’ll develop a rhythm. Process every bowl as information to inform your throw, and you’ll strengthen your game, for sure.
6 - Emphasize Accuracy
As a beginner, it’ll take time to get used to handling your bowl. You might find yourself delivering bowls that travel haywire and go off the green. Don’t worry: it’s all part of learning a new skill.
Instead of immediately trying to win each game, aim to deliver your bowls closer to the jack. Again, the key here is practice, practice, practice.
7 - Enjoy the Camaraderie
The more you practice and play, the more you’ll develop confidence about your technique. If you feel good about your abilities, you’ll naturally play better.
Lawn bowling is a highly social sport that brings players together for conversation and friendly competition. Half the fun is interacting with the other player or team.
A major benefit of playing on teams is being able to ask other players questions about their gameplay, to help you perfect yours. Learn about where they practice, whether they’ve taken classes or utilized a coach, and how long they’ve been playing. You never know where a simple conversation will bring you.
Your Lawn Bowl Journey Starts Here
Learning a new sport can be intimidating, but don’t let the challenge discourage you from lawn bowling.
Everyone has to start somewhere. Drake’s Pride North America has you covered when it comes to beginner-friendly lawn bowls, but the rest is up to you.
Familiarize yourself with the game and its idiosyncrasies. Then, find a local club, get on the green, start practicing, and just roll with it!