THE RULES OF LAWN BOWLS

July 22, 2015

 

HERE’S A BRIEF RUNDOWN ON HOW THE GAME OF LAWN BOWLS IS PLAYED:

Lawn bowls is a strategic and precise sport played on a carefully maintained rectangular green. The objective of the game is to roll or deliver bowls as close as possible to a smaller white ball called the “jack” or “kitty.” Here are the basic rules of lawn bowls:

1. Equipment: Each player uses biased bowls, usually made of a dense hardwood called lignum vitae or synthetic materials. The bowls are designed to curve or “bias” in a curved path as they travel down the green. The size and weight of the bowls may vary, but they are generally of a uniform size within a game.

2. Players: Lawn bowls can be played in singles, pairs, triples, or fours. In singles, each player competes against an opponent, while in pairs, triples, and fours, teams compete against each other.

3. The Green: The playing surface is a carefully manicured lawn divided into rinks, which are rectangular sections of the green. The rinks are typically 4.3 to 5.8 meters wide and 31 to 40 meters long.

4. The Jack: A small white ball, the jack, is rolled by one player at the start of each end (round). The jack must reach a minimum distance from the mat but should not go out of bounds.

5. Delivery: Players take turns to deliver their bowls from a mat positioned at one end of the rink. They must keep one foot on the mat while releasing the bowl. The bowl must be rolled, not thrown, and it must remain within the boundaries of the rink.

6. Bias and Weight: As the bowls are biased, they will curve or hook towards the jack as they slow down. Players must take into account the bias and adjust their aim and delivery to achieve the desired line and weight. The weight refers to the speed or strength of the delivery, which determines how far the bowl will travel.

7. Shot Bowls: After all the bowls have been delivered, the bowl closest to the jack is considered the “shot bowl” and earns a point. Additional points are awarded for each subsequent bowl that is closer to the jack than any of the opponent’s bowls.

8. Scoring: At the end of each end, points are awarded to the team with the shot bowls. A game typically consists of several ends, and the team with the highest score at the end of the game is declared the winner.

9. Tactics: Strategy and tactics play a crucial role in lawn bowls. Players may aim to place their bowls in strategic positions to block opponents or to create opportunities for scoring.

10. Etiquette: Lawn bowls is a game known for its sportsmanship and etiquette. Players should maintain a respectful and quiet atmosphere during play and refrain from distracting or disturbing opponents.

These are the basic rules of lawn bowls, but there may be variations in specific competitions or clubs. It’s always advisable to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations of the particular venue where you’ll be playing.