The Game of Lawn Bowls
The game is played with an even number of players in each team, with 1 to 4 players
on each side. Each player uses 2 to 4 bowls or woods. The game is played on a grass
green, each side plays on a rink; which is approximately 40 metres long and 6 metres
wide, there are usually six rinks on a green. Players from each side take it in
turn to roll their woods towards a small white ball; which is called a jack. The
object of the game is to get your side's woods nearer to the jack than the woods of
your opponents. When all the woods have been delivered, the end is over. Points are
scored by counting how many of one side's woods are nearer to the jack than the
other side's nearest wood. The winning side, depending on the number of players, is
decided either by playing an agreed number of ends or the first to reach a given
number of points.
What game can you enjoy playing on a cold wet winter's morning? Not many! Forget
the long johns - leave them at home! You can play bowls for a couple of hours on a
winter morning in comfortable warm surroundings and all for the price of a pint!
How many games can you play on a warm summer's afternoon, where at the same time
you can be enjoying a pint of beer or a glass of lemonade? Lawn bowls is played by
both men and women, young and old. Games can be mixed, men only or women only.
There is room for all of them!
WHY PLAY BOWLS ?
Lawn bowls has an image as being suitable only for retired people. The reason for
this is that it is one of the few games that you can start when you retire. However
many people start playing when they are much younger - some as young as 12 years
old! It is a game that can be enjoyed by anyone of almost any age. It should never be suggested that a young person gives up playing football, rugby or cricket etc. in order to play bowls. However, a game once a week would not interfere with their other sports. Bowls is like most games, the earlier you start, the better you can get. It is far better exercise than sitting in front of the television. If you are
not the strenuous type, then indeed, bowls is a very good form of gentle exercise. Hardly the same as a hard game of football or tennis, but still good exercise.
Of course there are a few old codgers who think that
playing with younger people or with ladies is "simply not cricket." However, things
are changing and the old codgers are dying out. One reason why the old codger won't
play with ladies or youngsters, is because he doesn't like it when they beat him!
Return to homepage
Return to Information