Bowling Basics

Lawn bowls is a wonderfully sociable sport played on a smooth green, where the aim is to roll your bowls as close as possible to a smaller ball called the jack.

It’s easy to pick up, gentle on the body, and full of friendly competition. Whether you’re looking for relaxed afternoons in good company or the thrill of a close match, bowls offers something for everyone.

At Torquay Bowling Club, we pride ourselves on making newcomers feel at home you’ll find plenty of encouragement, laughter, and a warm welcome as you take your first steps into the game

Getting Started

It’s normal to feel slightly apprehensive about starting something new, but bowls is a sport that is easy to take up. The rules of the game are relatively simple, the basic technique is not complex and you don’t need lots of new kit.

Playing the Game

It will take you no time to figure out the basic rules of the game.

Bowls is played on a square of grass called a green, which is divided into lanes called rinks. Players take turns to deliver their bowls from a mat at one end of the rink towards a small white target ball, often referred to as the ’jack’, situated near the other end. The bowls are shaped so that they take a curved path towards the jack, known as the bias.

The aim of the game is to get your bowls closest to the jack. One point is given for each bowl nearer the jack than the nearest bowl of your opponent. For example, if you or your team has three bowls closer to the jack than your opponent’s nearest bowl then you will score three for that end.

Each game is split into individual ends. After playing all the bowls in one direction and agreeing the score, the next end is played back down the rink in the opposite direction. The winner of the previous end will cast the jack.

There are different formats of the game. You can play singles or as part of a team, and a match can vary in lengths. The winner can either be the one who has scored the most shots after a specified number of ends or the first to reach a designated score.

How to Choose Bowls?

Size
Bowls come in sizes from 0000 (smallest adult size) up to 6. Although typically bowls tend to be 0's to 4s on the green. The right size is the one you can hold securely without strain.

It's customary to encircle the bowl with you two hands thumbs to thumbs and Index finger to Index finger. You should encircle your fingers through the middle of the bowl, with your thumbs touching on one side, and you Index fingers reaching around to meet on the opposite side. If you Index fingers meet the bowl is a good fit, if they overlap, it's deemed too small and if they don't meet, too big. However this is only a guide, you will always come across people who prefer a smaller or bigger bowl to their hand. It's a very personal choice.

Weight
Bowls are usually made in medium or heavy weights. Heavier bowls roll a little further, but can feel tiring over a long match. Try both and see which suits you.

You should be able to hold the bowl comfortable in you hand, maintaining the grip when it's pointing towards the green, if it feels like it might slip, or you're struggling to hold it. The bowl is likely too heavy and or too large for your hand.

Bias
This is the curve the bowl takes. The Bowl has a weighted side, which means it bends or curves in this direction when you bowl. The Bias differs by manufacturer, and by types of bowls. Typically a narrow bowl is used by a player who plays a number 1 position, and a wider or bowl that 'swings' will be preferred by the Skip. Again not in all cases, some Skips wreck havoc with a narrow bowl, using the narrow aspect to get into the head. Again this becomes a bowlers preference.

The best advice is often, as long as they fit your hand and are comfortable, you'll learn to bowl with them, so try a few at the club and see what you like. Every manufacture as various bowls with different bias, this chart may help you understand what's available.

Picking your first set of bowls is a personal choice, there’s no single “best” option. The most important thing is to try before you buy so you find a set that feels comfortable in your hand.

Torquay Bowling Club, generally have old sets you can borrow and try before forking out for a new set. New bowls can be upward of £400, so most new bowlers buy second hand. Bowls have a good resale value and plenty of options are available on Ebay.

Spend time with our club coaches, and your fellow bowlers will be happy to offer advice too. But whilst bowls is fairly easy to pick up, some basics are vital to making it a fun experience. Most clubs have coaches, and our own coaches have plenty of experience to offer. Make sure to book some time when you start.

A few tips to get you started
Bowls is one of those games that’s simple to pick up but endlessly rewarding to play. The delivery is a natural movement, so your very first shot could be just as good as anyone’s. Everyone has their own style, and that’s part of the fun you’ll soon find what works for you. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll be hooked on the challenge of getting closer and closer to the jack. And don’t worry, beginners are always encouraged, never judged.

Position and Stance
Stand comfortably on the mat, facing the jack. Place your feet pointing forward, slightly to one side in the direction you wish to bowl, the bias of the bowl will be facing towards the centre of the mat, depending on the curve you want. Hold the bowl in your favoured hand, just outside your hip, so your swing feels natural and free. Keep your eyes fixed on where you’re aiming.

The Delivery
Most bowlers take a gentle step forward as they swing back. Then, bring your arm through smoothly, bending your knees so the bowl is released close to the ground this helps it roll evenly. Remember, one foot must stay on the mat or over, at the moment of delivery. Simple and steady does the trick.

Understanding Bias
Bias is what makes the bowl curve. To spot it, look at the small circle or sticker, this side is the one the bowl will turn towards. For example, if you’re right‑handed and your aiming to your forehand. Your toes will be pointing slightly right, you will have the small circle/sticker towards the centre of your body, not and you will aim depending on the width of your bias to the right of the jack. The opposite for a backhand. Toes to the left, biased set towards the middle of your body, and aim to the left of the jack. Simple!

Your adjustment is based on the width of your bias, if you've bowled too wide - the bowl runs to far wide of the jack, adjust your stance slightly and adjust your weight if you've over shot the target.

Bowls is all about finesse, gentle and consistent delivery, the right weight on the bowl, but most important - time on the green.
Bowls may only take a minute to learn, but a life time to master!

Coaching and Playing the Game

Most sports have their own acronym, Bowls is no different, but don't worry you can learn the lingo pretty quickly. Our helpful guide will get your started.

Backhand - When (for a right-handed player) the bowl is delivered so the curve of the bowl towards the jack is from the left to right.

Bias - the built‑in curve of the bowl that makes it arc towards the jack.

Chalk - used to mark the bowl that has touched the jack

Delivery - The point the bowl leaves the hand.

Ditch - The gully around the green. If a bowl ends up in the ditch and it is not a ‘toucher’ then it doesn’t count.

Draw - A bowl delivered at the correct weight and with correct line, to arrive exactly where you want.

End - The sequence of play from the moment the mat is placed down until all bowls have been delivered and and winning bowls determined.

Foot fault - When the bowl is delivered and the bowler doesn't have their foot either on or above the mat.

Forehand - (for the right-handed player) the bowl is delivered so that the curve of the bowl is from the right to left.

Green - The total playing area. There are usually 6 rinks on each green.

Jack - The small ball either yellow or white, which all bowls are aiming for.

Mat - The rectangular shaped mat from which a bowler must deliver the jack and/or bowl.

Pace of Weight - The amount of force used to execute a particular shot.

Rink - The rectangular strip of the green, between 4 and 6 metres wide, on which the game takes place.

Stance - Position adopted on the mat prior to delivery.

Shot - The bowl that is nearest the jack at any stage of play.

Toucher - A bowl that hits the jack during its original course. This bowl still counts even if it ends up in the ditch.

Woods - The name most bowlers give to their bowls

Bowls Lingo - our glossary of bowling terms!

How do I join competitions

Umbrella Competition

Each Friday evening, we run the Club Umbrella competition, this is a great way for new players to learn the game, rules and etiqutte, and meet members. The competition is open played with everyone who turns up. This runs from 6pm till around 8pm over the Summer season

Joining Competition

Depending on the time of year you join, you may be able to join our league competitions or county competition, there is no better way to improve you game than to play, we encourage all player to join competition when they feel ready.

Touring Teams

The club host many touring teams across the season, this is a fun and enjoyable way to learn, and play in friendly less competitive environments.

You will find Touring team sheets in the hall where you can register your availability for these matches