Everything you need to play, learn, and excel at lawn bowls. Complete rules, expert technique guides, equipment reviews, and championship insights — all in one place.
New to bowls? Start here. Objective, scoring, setup, and positions explained simply.
All 10 laws of the sport. Equipment, delivery, touchers, scoring, conduct and more.
Stance, grip, delivery action, line and weight control — expertly broken down.
Draw, drive, trail, rest, yard-on and more — every shot in the game explained.
Taylor, Drakes Pride, Henselite, Aero — bias charts, sizing guide, and brand reviews.
Common faults & fixes, practice drills, and mental strategies used by elite players.
Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours — each format explained with stats and rules.
World Championships, Indoor Bowls, Commonwealth Games and the sport's greatest players.
The unwritten code of bowls. Sportsmanship, green care, and conduct on and off the rink.
24 essential bowls terms defined and searchable — from Bias to Yard-on.
From 1299 to the World Bowls Series — 700+ years of the sport's remarkable story.
Everything a complete beginner needs to step onto the green with confidence.
Roll your biased bowls as close as possible to a small white ball called the jack. The player or team with the most bowls nearest the jack at the end scores points.
A flat, manicured grass or synthetic surface divided into playing lanes called rinks. Each rink is 4.3–5.8m wide and 31–40m long, with a ditch at either end.
A small white or yellow sphere that acts as the target. Rolled to a minimum of 25m from the mat at the start of each end, then centred in the rink.
Asymmetrical weighted spheres (~1.5kg) that curve as they slow down due to built-in bias. Sets of four in various sizes. The curve is what makes the game tactical.
A rubber mat placed centrally on the green from which all deliveries are made. Front edge must be at least 2m from the back ditch and no more than 25m from front ditch.
First to 21 shots in singles, or the team with the most shots after 18 or 21 ends. In the sets format, first to win enough sets is declared the winner.
A coin toss decides who goes first. The winner places the mat and rolls the jack to start the first end, then bowls first.
Placed centrally along the rink. Front edge at least 2m from back ditch, no more than 25m from front ditch. Once set, cannot be moved until the end is complete.
The jack must travel at least 25m from the mat, stay inbounds. Once it stops, it's centred by the marker or an agreed player. It's now the target.
Players alternate. Always keep at least one foot on or over the mat during delivery. The bowl curves — learn to use this bias to navigate around obstacles.
Once all bowls are played, count the shots. Winning side scores one point per bowl closer to the jack than the opponent's nearest bowl.
The next end is played in the opposite direction. The team that won the last end goes first. Play continues until the agreed number of ends is reached.
Only one team scores per end. They receive one "shot" for every bowl closer to the jack than the nearest opposing bowl.
After the last bowl comes to rest, wait 30 seconds before counting. Use a measure if it's too close to call visually.
Singles: first to 21. Teams: most shots after 18 or 21 ends. Sets format: first to win enough sets (e.g., 7-point sets) wins.
If nearest bowls from both sides are equidistant from the jack, no shots are scored. The same team delivers the jack for the next end.
If tied after the final end in a knockout competition, extra ends are played until one side leads. The losing team from the last end goes first.
Keep a running total. In team games, the order of play is fixed on the card — players must bowl in that order throughout.
First player in a team. Places the mat, rolls the jack, and builds the initial head. Consistency and accuracy to the jack are paramount. Uses 2 bowls in fours.
Plays after the lead. Builds on the foundation. Also keeps the scorecard. Must be versatile — able to draw and use controlled weight when needed.
Crucial tactical role. Responsible for measuring disputed shots and advising the skip. Must be able to make difficult positional shots or drive.
Captain of the team. Stands at the head, directing teammates and calling shots. Plays last — often under pressure. Needs the full range of shots.
Uses all 4 bowls each end. Responsible for everything — the mat, jack, tactics, and every shot. The ultimate test of individual skill and mental strength.
Each player uses 4 bowls. Lead handles mat and jack. Skip controls tactics and delivers last. Requires excellent communication and complementary skills.
Flat-soled bowling shoes are essential to protect the green. Regular trainers are not permitted. Most clubs have loaner shoes for first-time visitors.
Start with a mid-bias bowl. The Drakes Pride Professional or Taylor Ace are ideal for beginners. Try your club's loaner sets before investing in your own.
Grip a bowl naturally. If your middle fingertips just meet around it, that's the right size. Sizes run from 00 (smallest) to 7 (largest).
Most clubs require club shirts and grey/white trousers or skirts for matches. For casual play, smart casual is fine. All-whites are now rare except for elite events.
Visit your local club for a taster session — most welcome beginners. You'll get free equipment and coaching. Find clubs via Bowls England or World Bowls.
Greens play faster in dry, sunny weather and slower when wet. Always do a trial end to gauge conditions before a match begins.
Based on the World Bowls Laws of the Sport — Crystal Mark Fourth Edition. All 10 laws explained clearly.
A "set of bowls" means four bowls of the same manufacture, identical in size, weight, colour, bias, and where applicable, serial number. Only bowls from the same set may be used. Any objection to the bias must be raised no later than the sixth end.
Must have bias not less than the master-bowl, bearing a clearly legible WB, WBB, IBB, or BIBC stamp dated 1985 or later. Non-composition bowls must bear a stamp not earlier than the year in which they are being used.
A solid white or yellow sphere between 63mm and 64mm in diameter, weighing 280–290g. Must bear a World Bowls or national association approval mark.
Rectangular, 600mm × 360mm, made of rubber or similar. Must be plain in colour and free from raised markings that could affect a bowl's path.
A bowling green must be between 31 and 40 metres in length in the direction of play. It must be flat and level, usually square in shape, with a ditch at each end.
The green is divided into individual playing rinks, each 4.3–5.8 metres wide. Marked by boundary pegs or strings. Players must not step into adjacent rinks during play.
Present at each end of the green, typically 200–380mm wide and 50–200mm deep. Bowls entering the ditch are generally dead unless previously marked as touchers.
The raised area behind the ditch. Must be high enough to stop bowls. No object may be placed on the bank to assist a player, except the jack position marker.
Placed centrally along the rink centre line before each end. The mat line must be at least 2 metres from the rear ditch. Once the jack has been cast, the mat must not be moved unless accidentally displaced.
The jack must come to rest at least 25 metres from the mat line and within the side boundaries. If it fails on the first cast, the opponent may re-cast it. If it fails again, the end is declared dead.
Once at rest in a valid position, the jack is centred using the rink centre pins. It then becomes the official target for that end.
The player placing the mat may position it anywhere from minimum to maximum distances from the rear ditch. However, once the first bowl has been delivered, the mat position cannot change for that end.
Before delivery, a player must have at least part of one foot on the mat. At the moment of delivery, at least part of one foot must be on or above the mat. Violation is a foot fault.
On first observation, the umpire warns the player in the presence of the skip. On each subsequent occasion, the bowl is stopped and declared dead. Repeated foot faults are a serious offence.
A player may use forehand or backhand. The bowl must be rolled along the green — not thrown, pitched, or bounced. Delivery cradles are permitted for accessibility purposes.
If a player delivers out of turn, the opposing skip may allow the bowl to remain, or request it be declared dead and returned. The correct player then delivers.
When playing a drive (high-speed delivery), the bowler must clearly warn: "I am firing this bowl." This allows those near the head to move to safety before the bowl is delivered.
A bowl that touches the jack during its original course on the green — or before the next bowl is delivered — is a toucher. Touchers remain in play even if they subsequently enter the ditch within the rink boundaries.
A toucher must be marked with chalk or a coloured disc immediately after it comes to rest. If it isn't marked before the next bowl is delivered, it cannot be claimed as a toucher.
A marked toucher in the ditch remains in play throughout the end. It can still score if it is closer to the jack than the opponent's nearest bowl — even if the jack itself is also in the ditch.
A bowl is dead if it: enters the ditch (unless a toucher), passes outside the rink boundary, rests on the bank, or is delivered in breach of delivery laws.
Dead bowls must be removed from the green promptly and placed in the ditch or collection area. They have no further effect on play and cannot be knocked back into play.
A bowl that passes outside a side boundary and re-enters the rink is dead and must be removed. Some exceptions exist — consult an umpire in cases of doubt.
If the jack is knocked into the ditch within the side boundaries, it remains alive and in play. Players continue to aim at it in the ditch. Bowls that join it in the ditch are dead unless touchers.
The jack becomes dead if it is driven outside a side boundary, over the bank, or cannot be found. A dead jack means the end must be replayed with no score recorded.
If a jack is driven against the bank face and rebounds back onto the rink, it remains alive. If moved by a toucher back onto the rink, it also remains alive.
Once displaced, the jack is played from wherever it comes to rest — even if behind the mat or in the ditch. Bowlers must adjust weight and line accordingly.
Scoring must not begin until all bowls have come to rest, or 30 seconds have elapsed after the skip's request (for bowls at risk of falling). No bowl may be moved until all shots are agreed.
The winning team scores one shot per bowl nearer to the jack than the opponent's nearest bowl. Measurement is between the nearest points of the jack and the bowl.
When it's uncertain which bowl is nearest, a measure is used. If players cannot agree, the umpire adjudicates. Measuring instruments are commonly retractable tapes or telescopic rods.
If the two nearest bowls are equidistant from the jack, no shots are scored. The same team delivers the jack for the next end.
As each shot is agreed, that bowl may be removed. The total must be agreed before moving to the next end. Players must not prematurely move or interfere with the head.
Players at the mat end not delivering must stand at least 1m behind the mat. Players at the head end must stand behind the jack after delivering. No player may walk in a neighbouring rink during play.
No player may deliberately move or interfere with the jack or any bowl in play. Deliberate interference is a serious breach and can result in forfeiture of the match.
No player may delay play by leaving the rink without consent, and then only for a maximum of 10 minutes. If heavy rain forces a stoppage, the head should be left intact. If the green is cleared, that end is declared dead.
No object to assist a player may be placed on the green, bank, or on a bowl or jack. An object may be displayed in the hand as a guide, but only from behind the lie of the jack.
If a bowl in play is accidentally displaced by a player, it must be restored to its original position. If willfully displaced, the opposing skip may have the bowl declared dead or restored.
If the jack or a bowl is disturbed by an outside agency (bird, ball from another rink, spectator), it must be restored. If the original position cannot be determined, the end may be declared dead.
If the jack ends up partially over a side boundary, it is returned and the opponent re-casts it. If it fails to reach the minimum distance, the opponent is entitled to cast it instead.
From stance to follow-through — master the fundamentals that top coaches teach.
Your stance is the platform for every shot. Without a solid, repeatable foundation you cannot bowl consistently.
Your grip is your only contact with the bowl. It governs how the bowl behaves on release and how consistently you can control it.
A smooth, pendulum-like delivery is the cornerstone of consistent bowls. The most common fault is pushing the bowl instead of swinging it.
Line is the arc your bowl must travel to reach its destination. Once you've found the correct line, it should remain constant — it is weight that changes the end position.
Weight is considered the hardest skill in bowls. Unlike line, the jack length changes constantly throughout a match.
Moving your position on the mat changes the angle of your delivery. An advanced tactical tool used to navigate around obstacles.
Every shot in lawn bowls explained — when to play them, how to execute them, and how difficult they are.
The fundamental shot of bowls. Delivered with controlled weight to finish as close as possible to the jack. The draw is the heartbeat of the game — everything flows from mastering it. A draw shot must be rolled, not shoved.
A delicate draw played when the jack is blocked by an opponent's bowl. You draw to the blocking bowl with just enough extra weight to nudge it aside and rest your bowl on the inside — nearer the jack. One of the most elegant shots in the game.
Considered the most difficult shot in bowls. Delivered at jack-weight to clip the jack and carry it back into your cluster of bowls. The jack is a tiny target and the margin for error is minimal. Devastating when executed correctly.
Played with approximately one yard (metre) more than draw weight. Used to remove an opponent's shot bowl or disturb a head not in your favour. The bias still has some effect — players must allow for this when aiming.
A high-speed, full-weight delivery used to clear the head when in deficit. Must warn players: "I am firing." The bowl travels with minimal bias effect at speed. High risk but capable of turning a match in one delivery.
Played with a specific weight to advance your own bowl forward into a better position, often pushing it to lie shot. Requires precise weight control to move the target bowl the exact desired distance without over-running the head.
Played with enough weight to drive out an opponent's bowl while your own bowl takes its place or ends up near the jack. Requires accurate line and precise weight. Needs to be calculated carefully, as an error leaves you worse off.
A deliberate drive at the jack to send it into the ditch within the rink boundaries. The jack remains alive, and if you have touchers there, you can transform a losing head into a winning one. A calculated gamble that can turn a match.
A deliberately under-weighted draw played to create a blocking position short of the jack. Used to prevent the opponent from accessing the jack directly, forcing them to take a wider line or risk a more difficult shot.
Choosing the right bowls for your game. Brand reviews, bias charts, size guides and more.
The world's oldest bowls manufacturer. Family-owned and proudly Scottish. Pioneered coloured bowls and bias testing. Their Ace model dominates club play worldwide. Largest model range in the UK.
Named after Sir Francis Drake. In 1982 became the first bowls manufacturer to use computer-controlled lathes. Their Professional model is the most recommended bowl for beginners in the world.
Created the world's first plastic bowl. Especially popular in Australia, NZ, and international competition. Their Tiger and Dreamline XG ranges are best-sellers used at the highest levels.
Newest of the big four, produced with machine precision. Widest range of grip styles and colours. Their unique "Harbour Bridge" trajectory and Z-Scoop grip are highly rated. Home of current World No.1 players.
| Model | Brand | Bias | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lazer | Taylor | Indoor Lead | |
| Vector VS | Taylor | Indoor/Lead | |
| Blaze | Taylor | Lead/Mid | |
| Ace | Taylor | All-Purpose | |
| D-TEC | Drakes Pride | Indoor Lead | |
| Professional | Drakes Pride | Beginners | |
| Pro-50 | Drakes Pride | All-Purpose | |
| Tiger TX | Henselite | Indoor | |
| Tiger II | Henselite | Indoor/Lead | |
| Dreamline XG | Henselite | Outdoor Skip | |
| GrooVe | Aero | Indoor Lead | |
| Optima | Aero | Outdoor Skip |
| Size | Approx. Diameter | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 00 | ~113mm | Very small hands / youth |
| 0 | ~114mm | Small hands |
| 1 | ~115mm | Small–medium hands |
| 2 | ~117mm | Medium hands (women, common) |
| 3 | ~118mm | Medium hands (most popular) |
| 4 | ~120mm | Large hands (common for men) |
| 5 | ~121mm | Large hands |
| 6 | ~123mm | Very large hands |
| 7 | ~125mm | Very large hands only |
Evidence-based improvement strategies — faults, fixes, drills, and elite mental game techniques.
The bowl shakes sideways on delivery, causing inconsistent line.
Bowl hits the green with a thud — loses momentum and runs short.
Stepping toward the jack rather than along the delivery line — drags bowl offline.
Stopping the arm swing after release — causes under-weight and offline shots.
Lifting the head before release causes the shoulder to rise, altering line.
Forcing the delivery rather than swinging — creates an inconsistent release.
Tight muscles cause inconsistency in arm speed and grip, especially under pressure.
Place targets at three different lengths. Bowl alternately to each, focusing on the same aiming point on the bank. Count how many of six bowls come within a mat-length.
Without a bowl, go through your full delivery action focusing on balance, posture, step direction, and follow-through. Identify deviations from your ideal motion.
Place two chalk marks 30cm apart at the apex of the draw line on each hand. Try to deliver every bowl through the "gate." Develops precise line control.
Bowl the jack to a random length each end. Try to draw all four bowls to that jack. This replicates match conditions where the jack length changes constantly.
Alternate every bowl between forehand and backhand to the same jack. Most players have a preferred hand — this drill builds equal competence on both sides.
Give yourself a match scenario (e.g., "down 3 with 2 bowls left"). Practise the exact shot needed while counting to simulate time pressure. Add consequences for missing.
From intimate singles duels to the full team fours — the four formats of lawn bowls explained.
The biggest stages in world bowls and the greatest players who have graced them.
The sport's premier outdoor event organised by World Bowls. First held in 1966 in Sydney, it is held every four years with 41+ nations competing in singles, pairs, triples, and fours. The Leonard Trophy (men) and Taylor Trophy (women) are awarded to the best overall team. Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland compete as a combined Irish team.
Held annually at Potters Leisure Resort, Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk, England. Broadcast live on BBC television. Features men's singles, women's singles, open pairs, and mixed pairs. Alex Marshall MBE holds the men's singles record with 6 titles; Katherine Rednall leads the women with 7. Stewart Anderson won in 2024 for his third title.
Bowls has been part of the Commonwealth Games since its inaugural edition in 1930, making it one of only a handful of sports present from the very beginning. Women's events were added in 1982. Four gold medals are competed for in singles, pairs, triples, and fours.
A prestigious annual singles event where national club champions from around 30 nations compete. To qualify, players must win their club championship, then their national champion of champions title. Carries platinum World Bowls Series ranking points. In 2024, the event was held at Browns Bay Bowling Club in New Zealand.
6× World Indoor Singles champion. The most decorated indoor bowler in history over two decades at the top.
7× World Indoor Women's Singles champion. Dominant in the women's game for over a decade.
2023 World Outdoor Champion. One of the world's most powerful drivers. Known as a match-winner in major finals.
5× World Indoor Singles champion, 11 total WBT titles. Multiple Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
World No.1 ranked 1997–2005. Won 19 Australian Championships. First Australian to hold the world #1 ranking.
The only player to win both World Indoor and World Outdoor singles titles. Multiple Commonwealth Games medallist.
11 World Bowls Tour titles. World Indoor Singles champion 1996. Represented both Scotland and Australia.
Bowls is built on respect and integrity. Understanding etiquette is as important as the rules themselves.
24 essential terms every bowler should know. Use the search to find any term instantly.
700+ years of one of the world's oldest and most enduring sports — from medieval Southampton to the World Bowls Series.
The origins of bowls can be traced to at least the 13th century, with similar rolling-ball games found in ancient Egyptian, Roman, and Chinese cultures. The bias principle may have been discovered by accident when using rounded stones or wooden balls on uneven ground.
The Southampton Old Bowling Green — still in active use today — dates to 1299, making it the oldest surviving bowling green in the world. This single fact positions bowls as one of the most enduring sports in recorded human history.
Henry VIII and other English monarchs banned earlier versions of bowls, fearing it would interfere with archery practice among their troops. Despite the bans, the game flourished among the aristocracy — and Henry VIII himself was known to be a keen player.
According to legend, Sir Francis Drake was playing bowls on Plymouth Hoe when the Spanish Armada was spotted approaching England. He reportedly insisted on finishing his game before sailing out to confront the fleet — a story of calm under pressure that gave the Drakes Pride brand its name.
Scottish cotton merchant William Wallace Mitchell published the "Manual of Bowls Playing" — the first standardised rules of the game. These became the foundation of the laws as we know them today. Scotland remains the spiritual home of the modern flat-green game, with the World Bowls Centre located in Edinburgh.
The Imperial Bowling Association (later Bowls England) was established, bringing organised national competition to the sport for the first time. National championships began, allowing club bowlers from across the country to compete against each other.
Bowls was included in the inaugural British Empire Games in Hamilton, Canada. It has remained part of the Games ever since — one of only a handful of sports present from the very beginning. Women's events were added in 1982.
The inaugural World Bowls Championships were held in Sydney, Australia. This marked the beginning of the modern international era of the sport, with nations from across the Commonwealth competing for the first time on a dedicated world stage.
The official World Bowls Series (WBS) launched the first global player rankings system in June 2024 at Club Helensvale on the Gold Coast, Australia. Australia's Aron Sherriff and Kelsey Cottrell were crowned the inaugural world number ones — a landmark moment for the professionalisation of the sport.