A Beginner's Guide
The Game of Bowls
Welcome to West Hoathly Bowls Club. We hold Roll-Up sessions on Tuesday Mornings (10am) and Friday Evenings (6pm) where you can have a trial roll-up with our members over a few weeks at no charge.
We hope you will enjoy yourself and then consider joining us as a full playing member.
You will wonder why you did not try it sooner!
Bowls is a relatively cheap game compared to other sports and you will find below a basic introduction to the sport.
For more information on the cost of membership, see the 'Become a Member' link under the 'Club Membership' menu item or contact our membership secretary.
Like many games, the object of bowls is essentially simple. It can be played by anyone, but to play
consistently well demands determination, concentration and practice.
The game is played on a square of closely cut grass called 'the green', which is divided into playing areas called rinks.
The green is surrounded by a small ditch to catch bowls which leave the green
and a bank with markers indicate the corners and centre lines of each rink.
Players take turns to deliver their bowls from a mat at one end of the rink towards a
small white ball called the jack at the other end.
The bowls are shaped so that they take a curved path towards the jack.
To be successful the bowl must be delivered with the correct weight along the correct line.
The object is to get one or more of your bowls closer to the jack than those of your opponents
on each end - one point is scored for each counting bowl.
There are many different formats to the game but the most common in England are singles or in teams of pairs, triples or fours.
In singles, the winner is the first to score 21 points.
In the other three formats, the winner is the team that scores the most points over a set number of ends.
What else will I need?
Bowls shoes and White Trousers/Skirt and a white or Club Shirt.
We have a selection of Bowls which can be borrowed initially to be kept at the club
until you decide to buy your own. Cost new from £80 – £180 per set of 4 or can be purchased second hand.
Talk to other members as to where to purchase your equipment or look online.
Some second hand bowls are available through eBay.