The FundamentalsEverything lawn bowling - check it out!
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Bowls Explained
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Bowls is a strategic, challenging and fun sport that can be enjoyed by anyone. It is played on a large smooth grass surface called a “green”.
Lawn bowls are large, hard resin balls with a bias to them, so that they travel along a curved path, rather than going straight. The object of the game is to roll your bowls closer to the target than your opponents. The target is a small white ball called a “jack” and it is rolled the length of the green to start play. Then players from each team take turns rolling their bowls down the green toward the jack. When all all the bowls have been played in one direction the players have completed an end. |
Photo courtesy of Tacoma LBC
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Object of the Game
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The object of the game is to deliver bowls closer to the jack (target) than your opponent.
The player or team with the closest bowl to the jack earns one point for each bowl closer to the jack than the nearest opponent bowl. |
Photo courtesy of Portland LBC
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The GreenThe game of Bowls is played on a 120 foot square of closely cut grass called the green.
The green is divided into playing areas called rinks. Each rink is 14' wide and with the rinks placed side by side, multiple games can occur at the same time. The green is surrounded by a small ditch to catch bowls which leave the green, and a bank which has marks indicating the center side lines of each rink. |
Image courtesy of Frick Park LBC
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FAQ'sAnd our most frequent answers.
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How many people can Play in a bowls game?
Anywhere from 2 to 8 players can play a game together in a bowls game.
However you want to divide up to compete as two teams works just fine.
However you want to divide up to compete as two teams works just fine.
How long does a game last?
A typical pairs game lasts about an hour and a half.
As long as everyone agrees you can make the game any length of time you want.
As long as everyone agrees you can make the game any length of time you want.
Do women and men every play against each other?
Yes, often men and women play against each other in social games. Some tournaments are mixed though most national and international tournaments are women's or men's events.
Don't Lawn Bowlers Have to wear white clothes?
The days are long gone when "whites" were required for daily bowling, except for a very few clubs or special occasions..
Bowling tournaments do have rules about clothing but they are easy to accommodate.
Most important is to wear flat soled shoes to protect the green.
Bowling tournaments do have rules about clothing but they are easy to accommodate.
Most important is to wear flat soled shoes to protect the green.
I'D JUST LIKE TO TRY LAWN BOWLS BEFORE I JOIN A CLUB, CAN I DO THAT?
Sure, either drop by your nearest club or contact them to find out their schedule for "open bowling" or instruction.
I DON'T HAVE ANY LAWN BOWLS OR EQUIPMENT AND DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GET ANY?
The club has all the equipment needed for the game and it's free to use it.
IF I LIKE LAWN BOWLING CAN I DO IT BY MYSELF?
Anyone can bowl by themselves for practice, all of the better bowlers do exactly that!
Once you're a member of a club you usually have unlimited or generous access to the green and facility.
Once you're a member of a club you usually have unlimited or generous access to the green and facility.
HOW CAN I JOIN BOWLS USA?
CAN YOU HELP ME FIND A LAWN BOWLING CLUB NEAR ME?
Go to the division page and determine your division (by geographical area). Browse the division website for a list of clubs, or contact one of the division officers listed and they will help you find a club.
