Lawn Bowls Grip Guide:
Which Grip Is Right for You?

How you hold your bowl has a direct effect on how consistently you can deliver it. A grip that feels natural and secure allows the bowl to leave your hand smoothly at the same point every time. A grip that feels awkward causes the bowl to leave inconsistently — which means inconsistent deliveries regardless of how good the rest of your technique is.

The Two Main Grips

The Claw Grip (Finger Grip)

The most widely used grip in UK club bowls. The bowl rests in the fingers rather than the palm of the hand.

• The bowl sits in the curled fingers, with the thumb resting along the side for stability
• The palm of the hand does not touch the bowl
• The middle two fingers provide the primary support
• The bowl is released by opening the fingers smoothly during the follow-through

Best for: Players with medium to large hands. Provides excellent feel and sensitivity. Used by the majority of experienced competitive players.

Not ideal for: Players with arthritis or reduced finger strength — the finger-only support can be tiring over a long match.

The Cradle Grip (Palm Grip)

The bowl rests across the palm of the hand and is held more like a ball, with all fingers wrapped around it.

• The bowl sits in the palm with fingers wrapped around its circumference
• Provides more overall contact area and therefore more security
• The bowl is released by opening the hand rather than the fingers alone

Best for: Beginners who find the claw grip insecure, players with arthritis who struggle with finger-only grip, players with smaller hands relative to the bowl size.

Not ideal for: Fine sensitivity and consistent release point — the palm grip makes it slightly harder to release the bowl at exactly the same moment every delivery.

The Finger Peg Grip

A less common but perfectly valid variation where the bowl is held primarily between the index and middle fingers, with the thumb on the running surface for additional stability. Used by some players with specific hand shapes or conditions. If neither the claw nor cradle feels right, try this as a third option.

How to Check Your Grip Is Correct

A correctly held bowl should:

• Feel secure without gripping tightly — you should be able to swing the bowl through delivery without it slipping, but without actively squeezing it
• Have the bias symbol (the smaller disc) visible on the inside — facing toward the centre of the green, not outward
• Be held with the wrist straight and behind the bowl — not cocked to the side
• Feel like a natural extension of your arm during the backswing

Bias Orientation — The Most Important Grip Check

Before every delivery, confirm the bias of the bowl is facing the correct direction. The bias is indicated by the smaller of the two circles or discs on the bowl — this side curves inward as the bowl slows. The larger circle is the non-bias side.

To draw on the forehand (curving from right to left for a right-handed player), the small circle should face to the left. For the backhand, it should face to the right. Getting this wrong sends the bowl in the completely opposite direction to intended — and is surprisingly easy to do under pressure.

Grip Types on the Bowl Itself

Separate from how you hold the bowl, the bowl itself comes with different grip surface options from the manufacturer:

• Plain (no grip): Smooth running surface with no texture. Traditional look, preferred by some experienced players who prioritise rolling surface smoothness.
• Dimple grip: Small indentations across the bowl surface. The most popular grip type — provides better handling in wet conditions while maintaining a smooth roll.
• Ring grip: Concentric raised rings on the running surface sides. Good for players who prefer a positive grip sensation.
• Channel/groove grip: Deeper cut channels. The most aggressive grip pattern — excellent for arthritic players or those who struggle in wet weather.
• Embedded grip (Aero Z-Scoop): Specially shaped cutouts in the bowl surface designed to reduce grip pressure needed. Highly popular with players who have hand conditions.

Improving Your Grip in Wet Conditions

UK outdoor bowls frequently involves damp conditions. Wet bowls are significantly harder to grip consistently. Solutions:

• Grip wax or spray: Applied to the bowl surface before play. Temporarily increases tackiness. Reapply between ends if conditions are very wet.
• Towel dry between deliveries: A small cloth in your pocket or clipped to your bag for drying the bowl immediately before delivery.
• Gloves: Thin bowling gloves designed to provide grip in wet conditions. Used by a minority of club players but perfectly legal and increasingly common.
• Grippo spray: A popular bowls-specific spray that provides tackiness without affecting the bowl's running characteristics.

Grip and Arthritis

Hand arthritis is common among older bowls players and does not need to end your playing career. Practical adaptations:

• Switch to a cradle grip if the claw grip becomes painful — the cradle distributes pressure more evenly across the hand
• Choose a bowl with embedded grip — less squeezing force is required
• Try a smaller bowl size — a bowl that sits more naturally in the hand requires less grip strength
• Use grip aids in wet conditions — maintaining security with less force
• Speak to a physiotherapist who works with bowls players — specific hand exercises can maintain grip strength significantly