If you've started asking around your bowls club about which brand to buy, you've almost certainly heard two names more than any other: Taylor and Drakes Pride. Together these two manufacturers supply the majority of bowls played in the United Kingdom.
The truth is that both brands make excellent bowls. Neither is objectively better. But they do feel different and suit different players. This article will help you understand exactly what those differences are.
Taylor Bowls was founded in Edinburgh in 1796, making it the oldest bowls manufacturer in the world. Still family-owned today, Taylor bowls are known for their smooth, predictable arc and excellent manufacturing tolerances.
Drakes Pride, established in Liverpool in 1820 and named in honour of Sir Francis Drake, became in 1982 the first bowls manufacturer in the world to use computer-controlled lathes — revolutionising the precision of their products. Their Professional model has been one of the best-selling bowls globally for over three decades.
The best-selling Taylor bowl and arguably the most popular beginner-to-intermediate bowl in the UK. The Ace offers a mid-bias trajectory that works well both indoors and outdoors — smooth, consistent and highly predictable.
Sits between the Vector VS and Ace in terms of bias. Popular for indoor play and leads who want a touch more arc than the Vector but less than the full Ace.
Taylor's flagship outdoor bowl for experienced players and skips. Not recommended for beginners.
The Professional is Drakes Pride's flagship beginner-to-intermediate bowl. It offers a mid-to-wide bias — fractionally wider than the Ace — that many outdoor players find very natural on British grass greens. Widely considered the gold standard beginner bowl for outdoor play.
A slight evolution of the Professional offering marginally more bias and a slightly different feel. Popular with players who want a touch more arc.
Their widest-biased outdoor bowl, for experienced skips on large, fast greens. For experienced players only.
On a bias spectrum from narrow (1) to very wide (10), the two flagship models sit approximately here:
In practice the Drakes Pride Professional takes a slightly wider arc. On a slow or heavy outdoor green you may find the Professional easier to draw naturally. On a fast indoor carpet the Taylor Ace's narrower bias may give you more control.
Both brands offer multiple grip styles — dimple, rings, embedded and plain. Taylor bowls tend to have a slightly firmer, more solid feel. Drakes Pride bowls have a marginally softer feel that some players find more comfortable, particularly in cold conditions. Neither is objectively better — it comes down to personal preference.
The Drakes Pride Professional is typically £40–£60 cheaper than the Taylor Ace, making it slightly better value at entry level. Both brands hold their resale value well.
Both the Taylor Ace and the Drakes Pride Professional are outstanding bowls that have helped millions of players fall in love with the game. You will not make a wrong choice between these two.
Our guidance: if you play mostly outdoors on grass, start with the Drakes Pride Professional. If you play a mix of indoor and outdoor, or prefer the feel of a slightly tighter draw, go with the Taylor Ace.
Read our complete guide covering all four major brands, bias charts and size guides.
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