Object of lawn bowls
The object of the game is to deliver bowls closer to the jack (the small white or yellow ball) than your opponent, to earn points.
Order of play
A common practice amongst bowlers before starting a game is to shake hands with the other players and say, “good bowling”. To start the game, the lead player of the team that wins the toss rolls the jack up the rink. When you bowl, the two number ones (or “leads”) bowl all their bowls alternately, then the two number two’s and so on. The skips, usually each team’s most experienced player, play last. (If you are new to the game, your team will probably ask you to go lead or number two.)
Scoring
To be counted, a bowl has to be “in”, i.e., on the rink as bounded by the pink marker pegs. When all the bowls have been delivered, the team with the closest bowl to the jack earns one point for each bowl closer to the jack than the nearest opponent’s bowl. E.g., if your team has the two closest bowls to the jack, and the opposing team has the third closest shot, then your team scores two points. The score for that end, along with the cumulative score, is recorded on the scoreboard.
A few points of bowls etiquette and local rules
If you are new to the game, your team mates will explain rules and etiquette as you go along, and no one expects you to know the finer points at the beginning. However, it is good to know the basics – most of which are common-sense courtesy. Take a lead from your team mates and ask about anything you are unsure of.
Players must wear flat-soled footwear and there is no food or drink allowed on the green and no smoking on or around the green.
For roll-up and social games, dress is casual. The club has a smart red and green uniform which players wear when playing other clubs.
As bowls is a competitive yet friendly game, all players should demonstrate sportsmanship and courtesy. It’s common, especially in social games, to show appreciation when a player from either team plays a good shot.
Players normally assist in setting out mats and scoreboards beforehand and help return these to the lockup after the game.
Players should avoid moving around when a bowl is about to be delivered.
The skip may instruct his or her team’s players, but, apart from that, players should remain quiet and focused on the shots being played.
Players shouldn’t encroach on the adjoining rinks.
Before delivering your bowl, check that it isn’t going to run into another bowl being played on an adjoining rink. If necessary, wait a few seconds.
At the conclusion of an end, bowls should not be moved until the result has been agreed.
Avoid dropping bowls onto the green.
At the conclusion of a game shake hands with your team and your opponents.
A few important rules
World Bowls publish a document setting out the laws of the game of bowls, which may be downloaded as described below, for those who want to get into them or check any particular point, but most players pick these up gradually as they learn the game. The few rules below will be enough to get you started, and any player will be happy to answer any queries you have.
The mat is placed lengthwise along the centre line of the rink, with the mat line (front of the mat) 2 metres from the rear ditch.
When rolling the jack, it must end up within the rink boundaries, at least 23 metres from the front of the mat, (i.e., beyond the white 25-metre peg). Your skip will then move it to the centreline. If the jack ends up outside the above limits, the other team may re-position the mat and roll the jack. During roll-up games, for speed it is commonly agreed that the opposition may simply place the jack where they want it.
When delivering a bowl one foot must be on or above the mat.
A bowl which comes to rest within the boundaries of the rink, including those that are on the boundary line is a “live” bowl, and can count towards the score.
A bowl which touches the jack within the boundaries of the rink is a live bowl (even if it runs on into the ditch), and is called a “toucher”.
If the jack is knocked into the ditch within the side boundaries, it remains “live”.
A “head” is the jack and any live bowls.
The laws of the game
World Bowls maintains a document (called ‘Crystal Mark, Fourth Edition’) that sets out the laws of the game. It is used by bowling organisations around the world. The current version is 4.0, ratified in May 2023. To download it, click here.