We will be reopening the books to take on new members from the beginning of the season. Our Open Day for 2025 is to be announced. Coaches will be on hand to give advice about our Club. Also, feel free to come along on any match day to watch and get more information.

For further information or for you to be sent an application form, please contact the Membership Secretary, Tony Wyles 07928 458050.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORMS –  If you have not received your membership renewal form already you will be receiving it shortly. On the reverse of the form there is a section to complete in respect of the publication of personal data (address, telephone number, e mail address), can we please ask that you tick the boxes to enable this information to be published in the membership file at the club. While we respect your right not to have this information published, it does enable easy contact, should it be necessary, particularly during the season for arranging competition games, transport to matches and late cancellation of matches for example.

Beginner’s guide to bowls

 

The aim of the game is simple. Get your bowls as close as possible to a small white ball called the ‘jack’.

It might sound easy, but the fact that the bowls do not travel in a straight line seriously adds to the tactical challenge without the added problems the weather can cause.

Bowls can be played indoors or outdoors, and the rules are the same.

 

HOW COMPETITIONS UNFOLD

All the action takes place on a standard bowling green, which is a flat square 34-40m long. This is divided into six playing areas called rinks.

After a coin toss, the first bowler (the lead) places the mat and rolls the jack to the other end of the green as a target.

The jack must travel at least 23m and, when it comes to rest, it is moved across to the centre of the rink.

The players then take turns to bowl.

When all the bowls have been played, a competitor or team gets one point for each of their bowls that is closer to the jack than the opponent’s closest bowl.

After all the bowls have been delivered, the direction of play is reversed. This is the end of an end!

Bowls can be played in singles, pairs, triples and four-player teams.

Each player has four bowls per end in singles and pairs competitions, three in triples, and two in fours.

The team captain, or ‘skipper’, always plays last and is instrumental in directing the team’s shots and tactics.

 

HOW THE SCORING WORKS

Scoring systems vary for different competitions.

It is usually the first player to reach 21 points, or the highest scorer after 18 or 21 ends.

 

TYPES OF DELIVERY

The bowls are not quite round. They are shaved on one side which gives them the bias.

As the bowl slows, it begins to roll in the direction of the bias.

Bowlers will therefore change the side of the bias, depending on the direction in which they want the bowl to curve.

The challenge of all shots is to be able to adjust line and length accordingly.

The faster the delivery, the smaller the curve.

Draw shot: This allows the bowler to roll the bowl to a specific location without disturbing the other bowls too much.

For a right-handed bowler, ‘forehand draw’ is initially aimed to the right of the jack, and curves in to the left.

The same bowler can deliver a ‘backhand draw’ by turning the bowl over in the hand and curving it the opposite way, from left to right. In both cases, the bowl is usually rolled as close to the jack as possible.

The drive: Involves bowling with considerable force with the aim of knocking either the jack or a specific bowl out of play. There is very little curve on this shot.

Upshot or yard on: Involves delivering the bowl with enough power to move the jack or disturb other bowls, but without killing the end.

DITCH RULES

Bowls reaching the ditch are removed from play.

However, if they touch the jack before heading into the ditch they remain ‘alive’ and in play.

If the jack is knocked into the ditch it remains ‘alive’ unless it is out of bounds to the side of the rink.

This is called a ‘dead’ end and is replayed.

TACTICS

There can be a large number of bowls on the green towards the conclusion of an end – particularly in the team games – and this gives rise to some complex tactics.

WANT TO GET INVOLVED

There are thousands of bowling clubs across the UK, where you can learn the basics or play in leagues on a more serious level.

It's a game you can enjoy at any age, and with no experience - all clubs will encourage anyone wanting to learn or develop their skills.

You can also can play all year round - indoor bowls in the winter and out on the greens in the summer. Sounds complicated? Its not! You will be guided through everything with the coaching and then further advice from fellow team mates as you progress. Give it a go, its great fun, you won't be disappointed.