Home/Improve

How to Get
Better at Bowls

Evidence-based improvement strategies — faults, fixes, drills, and elite mental game techniques.

🔧
7 Common Faults & Fixes

  • 〰️

    Wobbling Bowl

    The bowl shakes sideways on delivery, causing inconsistent line.

    Fix: Check running surface alignment. Ensure wrist isn't twisting on release. Keep the running surface perpendicular to the ground throughout the swing.
  • ↓

    Dropping the Bowl

    Bowl hits the green with a thud — loses momentum and runs short.

    Fix: Focus on releasing as low as possible, "rolling" not dropping. Practise short roll-ups to close targets to build the habit of a low, smooth release.
  • ↗️

    Stepping Across the Line

    Stepping toward the jack rather than along the delivery line — drags bowl offline.

    Fix: Focus your step direction on your aiming point, not the jack. Use chalk lines in practice to check your step direction is correct.
  • ✋

    Short Follow-Through

    Stopping the arm swing after release — causes under-weight and offline shots.

    Fix: Think of the follow-through as "finishing the story." Keep your hand moving toward the target until the bowl passes your aiming point on the bank.
  • 👀

    Looking Up Too Early

    Lifting the head before release causes the shoulder to rise, altering line.

    Fix: Keep eyes on your aiming point until the bowl has fully left your hand. Watch the bowl only after it has been released.
  • 💪

    Pushing the Bowl

    Forcing the delivery rather than swinging — creates an inconsistent release.

    Fix: Let gravity do the work. Relax the grip slightly on the backswing. Think "pendulum swing" — not "push forward."
  • 😰

    Tension & Rushing

    Tight muscles cause inconsistency in arm speed and grip, especially under pressure.

    Fix: Shake your arms before each shot. Breathe out on delivery. Use a consistent pre-shot routine to calm the mind and body every single time.

🧠
Mental Game Strategies

  • Develop a consistent pre-shot routine — same steps, same pace, every time, regardless of pressure.
  • Visualise the entire arc of the bowl before delivery — see the path and the result clearly in your mind.
  • Focus only on the process (line, weight, routine) — not the outcome (score).
  • Accept bad shots and move on immediately. Dwelling on errors compounds them.
  • Adjust incrementally — never make dramatic changes mid-match based on one missed shot.
  • Control your breathing. Exhale smoothly during delivery to reduce muscle tension.
  • Trust your routine in pressure moments — it was practised for exactly these situations.
  • Keep a practice journal to track patterns in improvement and recurring problem areas.
  • Set process goals ("consistent aiming point") rather than outcome goals ("draw 4 in a row") during practice sessions.
  • Seek constructive feedback from coaches or experienced players regularly — outside perspective is invaluable.

🏋️
Purposeful Practice Drills

10–15 min

Line & Length Drill

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.

10 min

Shadow Delivery

Without a bowl, go through your full delivery action focusing on balance, posture, step direction, and follow-through. Identify deviations from your ideal motion.

15 min

The Gate Drill

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.

20 min

Variable Jack Drill

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.

15 min

Forehand/Backhand Balance

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.

20 min

Pressure Simulation

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.