Overview
Whatever your personal circumstances, our Club provides a great opportunity for everyone to take part in sport.
The following gives an overview and, hopefully, a flavour of the game.
The rules of the game
Bowls is played on grass called a green, which is divided into rinks. Players take turns to deliver their bowls from a mat at one end of the rink towards a small white target ball (jack), situated near the other end. The bowls are shaped so that they take a curved path towards the jack, known as the bias.
The aim
of the game is to get your bowl closest to the jack. One point is given for each bowl nearer the jack than the nearest bowl of your opponent.
Each game is split into individual ends, after playing all the bowls in one direction and agreeing the score, the next end is played back down the rink in the opposite direction.
There are different formats of the game. You can play singles or as part of a team and a match can vary in length. The winner can either be the one who has scored the most shots after a specified number of ends or the first to reach a designated score.
Basic technique
As with all sports you will need guidance on how to deliver a bowl and to make sure that you are aware of the rules of the game. Lessons at the Club are provided free of charge. We have several coaches at the Club and if you are interested in playing contact our Membership Secretary on pbmembershipsec@gmail.com
The bias
The bias is the shape of the bowl that makes it turn. To make it easy bowls have a large disc one side and a small disc on the other. The
bowl curves towards the side with the smaller disc. So if you hold the bowl with the small disc on the left side you will need to aim the bowl to the right of the jack and if the small disc is on the right side , to the left of the jack. The bias of bowls can range from narrow, almost straight to wide, curving bowls.
Choosing your bowls
At the club we have a variety of different types and sizes of bowls which can be used, free of charge, by new bowlers. Bowls come in sets of four and each is identical. You can choose different sizes, weights and bias depending on your hand size, physique and preference.
Getting involved with the Club
Once you join the Club you are welcome to come up for roll-ups and practice. We also have regular Monday meetings for both men and women when all members are enouraged to come along and have a game and meet other members.
What to wear
When you join the Club you will be given a free Club shirt. It is important to wear a pair of flat-soled shoes as this helps to keep the playing surface in good condition.
Social activities
The Club holds many events during the bowling season when all are welcome and in the winter we hold regular social events, plus weekly sessions for Crib and Bridge, and run indoor Short Mat Bowls sessions several times a week.
