THE GAME
The game of bowls is played by two teams of one to four players .
Singles = 1 player uses all 4 bowls
Pairs = 2 players use 4 bowls each
Triples = 3 players use 3 bowls each
Rink = 4 players use 2 bowls each
The objective of the game is to score more points than your opponents by finishing an “end” with one or more of your teams “bowls” closer to the “jack” than your opponents nearest bowl. A game is split over a number of “ends” and the points are accumulated to decide the eventual winner. Bowls are not spherical, they are shaped to follow a curved path to the “jack” and can be bowled either forehand or backhand while standing on a “mat”. The game is extremely tactical and a bowler may elect to “draw” or “drive” at the “head” to achieve the objective.
“game” A game can consist of a fixed number of ends, or the be first to achieve a minimum number of points.
“end” An end comprises of placing the mat, rolling the jack and alternating with your opponents to roll your bowls at the head until all bowls have been delivered.
“bowls” (sometimes known as woods) A player will usually have a set of four identical bowls. Games are usually played using two, three, or four bowls per player.
“jack” The target. Jacks are usually white or yellow and are spherical about 65mm in diameter.
“mat” a rectangular piece of rubber on which at least one foot must be placed when delivering the bowl.
“head” A head comprises of the jack and any delivered bowls sitting within the confines of the playing area. (the “rink”).
“rink” one of six rectangular areas marked out on the bowling green. The green itself is a 34 to 40 metres square. rinks are set out in differing directions in the afternoons and evenings to discourage the introduction of channels.
The Rules
Players must stand with at least one foot on a rubber mat, when delivering their bowl. The mat is placed on the centre line of the rink and is lined up by following instructions from the skip or marker. The lead player who is to deliver the Jack determines how far up the rink the mat is placed.
The first player, the “lead,” delivers the Jack. The jack must be rolled at least 23 metres from the front of the mat, otherwise it’s returned and rolled by the other team. The Jack must be centred on the rink while keeping it at the same distance from the mat. If it stops too close to the ditch at the end of the rink, it has to be moved two metres from the end. If it rolls into the ditch, then it is returned for the other team to roll. In the event of both teams failing to deliver a legal jack it is placed two metres from the end of the rink.
The lead then bowls their first bowl and tries to get close to the jack. Players then alternate until all the bowls have been played and the “end” is completed. The order in which players on a team play is determined before the start of the match.
The bowl nearest the jack is called “the shot.”
After all of the bowls have been played, the number of “shots” is counted, marked on a score card, and the next end commences.
Scoring is determined in the following manner:
A team gets 1 point for each of its bowls closer to the Jack than the nearest opponent’s bowl.
Once the score has been agreed, all players help in collecting up the bowls ready for the next end to begin.
The team that scores in the “end” delivers the jack in the next end.
Players deliver their bowls from one end of the rink and then the other, alternating back and forth from end to end until the game is finished.
Games can be played to a fixed number of “ends”, or to a minimum number of points.
Etiquette
Etiquette is an important part of the game of bowls. There is a dress code which you should follow when playing in matches, usually white shirt with either grey or white trousers or skirt. The “events and fixtures” part of the website will tell you which colour you should wear. Shoes must have flat soles and be white, brown or grey. Exceptionally there is no dress code for “roll ups”, Monday Night coaching and the “Friday Night League”, although flat soled shoes must still be worn.
Players should always shake hands with their team mates and opponents prior to the start of a match, and once again at the end of the match to either congratulate or commiserate.
During the match, if you are at the mat end you should stand well back from the player on the mat. At the “head” end you should stand well back from the head and stand still while a bowl is being delivered.
After each end has been completed and the score agreed, all players help in collecting up the bowls ready for the next end to begin.
After the match, it is customary for the winner to offer the loser a drink. In Inter club matches, the home team member offers to buy their opposite number a drink, and this is reciprocated later in the day.
HISTORY OF BOWLS
Early Beginnings: The earliest recorded instance of a bowling game in England dates to the 1200s. The sport likely originated from the older practices of playing games with stones or other rounded objects, which evolved into using balls and eventually became formalized as bowls.
Royal Approval and Bans: Lawn bowls gained popularity among people of all social classes, including royalty. However, because it was considered a distraction from the practice of archery, which was necessary for national defense, several English monarchs attempted to ban or restrict the game. For instance, King Edward III banned bowls in 1361 to encourage archery instead.
Francis Drake and the Spanish Armada: One of the most famous anecdotes in bowls history involves Sir Francis Drake and the Spanish Armada. Legend has it that he was playing a game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe when he was informed of the approaching Spanish fleet in 1588. He purportedly insisted on finishing his game before engaging the enemy, reflecting his coolness under pressure.
Expansion and Formalization: The game continued to grow in popularity through the 17th and 18th centuries. The first formal bowls club was established in 1630 in Southampton, and the sport became increasingly structured with formalized rules.
19th and 20th Centuries: By the Victorian era, bowls was firmly entrenched as a popular pastime in Britain. Numerous clubs were formed during this period, and the sport was exported to other parts of the British Empire. The British Isles Bowls Council was formed in 1903 to standardize rules and hold international competitions.
Modern Era: Throughout the 20th century and into the 21st, bowls has remained a popular sport in the UK, with many clubs around the country catering to players of all ages. The sport has seen modernization in terms of equipment and playing surfaces but has retained much of its traditional charm.
International Competitions: The UK has been a dominant force in the world of lawn bowls, competing in and often dominating at international events like the Commonwealth Games.
Today, bowls is recognized as a sport that combines skill, strategy, and sociability, making it popular among both young and older players. It continues to be a staple of community sports clubs across the UK.
