Lawn Bowls for Seniors:
The Complete Beginners Guide

Lawn bowls is not just accessible for older adults — it is genuinely one of the best sports available to people in their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. It combines moderate physical activity, strategic mental engagement and a strong social community in a format that can be adapted to almost any mobility level. This guide is specifically for older adults considering the sport for the first time.

Why Bowls Is Uniquely Suited to Older Adults

Most sports become progressively less accessible as we age. The joints that struggled with running at 50 simply will not tolerate it at 70. Bowls is one of the very few competitive sports where this is not the case — the physical demands are appropriate for older bodies, the tactical dimension rewards experience and reading the game over raw physical ability, and you can genuinely improve well into your 70s and beyond.

• Low impact: No running, jumping or sudden direction changes. The delivery action involves walking, stepping forward and a controlled arm swing
• No age handicap: A 70-year-old with good technique and excellent tactical reading will beat a physically fitter but tactically naive 50-year-old regularly
• Social community: Bowls clubs are among the most genuinely welcoming social institutions in UK life — the post-match tea and conversation is a valued part of the experience
• Year-round play: The outdoor season runs April to September; indoor bowls from October to March means committed players can bowl 12 months a year
• Competitive at any level: From gentle social roll-ups to county and national competition — the game scales to your ambitions

What to Expect at Your First Session

Every bowls club welcomes beginners through a similar process. Here is what will typically happen:

1. You contact the club (by email, phone or simply turning up) and express interest
2. You are invited to a taster session — usually a relaxed weekday morning
3. A club member greets you and shows you the facilities
4. You are given loaner bowls in the right size for your hand
5. Loaner flat-soled shoes are available if needed
6. A club member or coach spends 20-30 minutes showing you the basics of delivery
7. You join a friendly game — usually in a pairs or small group format so you have support
8. After the game, tea and conversation in the clubhouse

Equipment Specifically Worth Considering for Older Players

Bowl Lifters

A bowl lifter is a simple suction cup device that attaches to the face of the bowl and allows you to pick it up without bending fully to the ground. They are widely accepted at virtually all clubs for social play. For players with knee, hip or back conditions, a bowl lifter makes the game accessible when it otherwise might not be.

Grip Aids

Players with arthritis or reduced hand strength often benefit from bowls with embedded grip channels rather than smooth surfaces, or from using a grip aid spray or wax in wet conditions. Aero bowls are particularly well regarded for their Z-Scoop grip option, which is designed to be more comfortable for players with hand conditions.

Bowls Sizes

Do not assume you need a larger bowl. Many older players, particularly women, find that size 00 to 2 bowls are more comfortable and give better control than larger sizes. Always try several sizes at a shop or club before buying. The right size is one you can hold for 30 seconds at arm's length without straining.

Trolleys

A bowls bag with a trolley takes the carrying weight off your back and shoulders when travelling to and from the club. For longer walks to greens or between rinks, a trolley is a sensible investment for anyone who carries a heavy bag regularly.

A Realistic Four-Week Getting Started Plan

• Week 1: Contact your nearest bowls club and arrange a taster session. Go with no expectations — just observe and try a few deliveries.
• Week 2: Return for another session. Focus only on getting the delivery smooth — bowl flat, follow through, get low. Do not worry about where the bowl goes.
• Week 3: Ask about the green speed and try to calibrate your weight. Notice the difference between too much weight and too little.
• Week 4: Join a friendly social game. Accept that you will not be competitive yet — you are collecting information about what the game requires.

Finding a Club — Where to Look

• Bowls England Club Finder: bowlsengland.com — enter your postcode to find affiliated clubs nearby
• Google Maps: Search "bowling green near me" — most clubs have Google listings with photos and contact details
• Age UK: Many Age UK branches have partnerships with local bowls clubs and can refer you directly
• NHS Exercise on Prescription: In some areas, GPs refer patients to bowls clubs as part of structured exercise programmes — ask your GP

Common Concerns for New Older Players

"I am not fit enough."

Bowls requires less physical fitness than almost any other competitive sport. A slow walk and a gentle arm swing constitute the physical demands of a delivery. Players with significant mobility limitations play successfully using bowl lifters and adapted techniques. If you can walk slowly and lift 1-2kg, you can play bowls.

"I will be the worst player there."

Every experienced player was once a beginner who knew nothing. Bowls clubs consistently score among the highest of any sport for member friendliness toward newcomers. The culture of the game explicitly values welcoming new players — the sport needs new members and genuinely values you arriving.

"Is it expensive?"

Annual club membership typically ranges from £40 to £120. Your only essential equipment purchase is flat-soled shoes (£40-£70). Loaner bowls are available for your first season at most clubs. You can participate meaningfully for £100-£200 in your entire first year — less than a single season of golf.