Beginner’s Guide to Lawn Bowling (Lawn Bowls)
Lawn bowling (often called lawn bowls) is a precision sport where players roll slightly asymmetrical bowls toward a small target ball called the jack. The goal is to finish each round with your bowls closer to the jack than your opponent’s.
The Basic Equipment
- Bowls: Not perfectly round—they have a built-in “bias” that causes them to curve as they roll.
- Jack: The small white target ball.
- Flat-soled shoes: Help protect the playing surface and provide stability.
- Measuring tools: Used when it’s difficult to determine which bowl is closest.
Understanding the Green
The playing surface is called the green. It is divided into playing areas called rinks.
Because bowls curve, players must account for:
- The speed of the green
- Wind conditions
- The amount of curve (bias)
- The length of the shot
How a Game Works
- A player rolls the jack down the rink.
- Players take turns delivering bowls toward the jack.
- After all bowls have been played, the round (called an end) is scored.
- Another end begins from the opposite direction.
Games can be played:
- Singles (1 vs. 1)
- Pairs (2 vs. 2)
- Triples (3 vs. 3)
- Fours (4 vs. 4)
Scoring
At the end of each end:
- Only one side scores.
- Count how many of that side’s bowls are closer to the jack than the opponent’s nearest bowl.
- Each qualifying bowl earns one point.
Example
If your two closest bowls are both nearer to the jack than your opponent’s nearest bowl, you score 2 points for that end.