HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A GO AT BOWLS - A GAME THAT YOU CAN PLAY FROM THE AGE OF EIGHT TO EIGHTY+.

YOU CAN PLAY SOCIALLY, IN FRIENDLY GAMES OR COMPETITIVELY IN LEAGUES AND COMPETITIONS. 

  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRY ALL YOU NEED IS A PAIR OF TRAINERS WITH FLAT SOLES.  WE'LL LEND YOU SOME WOODS TO HAVE A GO

VISIT OUR CONTACT PAGE AND GET IN TOUCH

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WHY SHOULD I TAKE UP BOWLS - WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Why should I take up bowls is a commonly asked question.  The answer is simply that it provides so many benefits for those that take part.  Whether you are eight or eighty, novice or experienced, lawn bowls is a great game for everyone to enjoy.

One of the unique aspects of lawn bowls is its accessibility to men and women of all ages and backgrounds.  The adaptability of the game allows individuals to start playing from a young age, continuing to reap its benefits throughout their lives.  Unlike more physically demanding sports, lawn bowls can be enjoyed well into later years.  

Whilst it might seem like a leisurely pastime it offers a surprisingly effective form of low-impact exercise involving a combination of walking, bending and upper body movement without putting excessive strain on the joints.

Being a social sport, it gives everyone the opportunity to meet new people and forge new and lifelong friendships.  This social connection and inclusive atmosphere help to stimulate mental health and are valuable qualities for anyone of any age who is in danger of feeling isolated.  At GB Britton we have a thriving social side offering many social activities.  The club is open most evenings in the summer.  During the winter months, the club is open most Friday evenings for various activities such as quizzes, racehorse fun evenings, bingo and fish and chip suppers - or just a friendly social drink.

For those who have never played before, don’t despair, help is on hand.  The club has qualified coaches – male and female – to help teach and improve your game.

Once you have learned the basics you can practice on any afternoon or evening during the season.  All you need to do is get a jack and a mat from the store, then find a spare rink and you’re away.

The club has a full fixture list of friendly and competitive games for both ladies and men

Competitive Games

Each week the club puts out four league teams three men's teams and one ladies' team.  There are also various County and National competitions that take place throughout the season so you can become involved as much or little as you like.

Friendly Games

We hope that once you gain a little confidence you will want to play more competitively and you will put your name down for a friendly match. The Club organizes friendly games throughout the season against local clubs who are also out for an enjoyable game These are usually played on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and at weekends.   The games can be all male, all female, or mixed matches.

In-House Club Competitions

The club holds singles, pairs, triples, and mixed competitions for those who want to take part. Bowlers of all levels are encouraged to participate as playing against better players is a good way of improving your own game.

 

GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS

Bowls can be played indoors or outdoors, and the rules are basically the same for both.

The aim of the game is simple - get your bowls, called “woods” as close as possible to the small white ball called the 'jack'.

It might sound easy, but the fact that the bowls are not quite round and therefore do not travel in a straight line makes the game more challenging.

The bowls are shaved on one side which gives them the bias and as the bowl slows, it begins to roll in the direction of the bias.  The bowls usually have small rings or discs on the side to show the side with the bias.

Bowlers will therefore change the side of the bias, depending on the direction in which they want the bowl to curve.

The challenge is to be able to adjust line (width) and length (weight) accordingly.

Grip

There are two recognised grips, or methods of holding the bowl.

  1. Claw Grip

The bowl is placed in the palm of the hand, the middle fingers being spread out under the bowl. The thumb and little finger provide additional support for the bowl, the little finger being level with the bottom of the disc, the thumb over the top, or a little above, the large disc. The bowl is not held tightly but gripped enough to prevent it slipping at the moment it is delivered from the hand.

2. Cradle Grip

In the cradle grip the bowl rests in the hand. The middle fingers are placed fairly close together with the thumb much lower down the side of the bowl than in the claw grip. The wrist slightly cupped so that the bowl does not slip from the hand as the arm is swung backwards.

With both grips the middle fingers must be parallel to the running surface. A wobbly bowl is caused by the middle finger being pulled across its running surface.

Delivery

Points to Good Delivery

  1. Maintain a good balance in the stance and throughout the movement.
  2. Do not clutch the bowl – just hold it gently in the hand.
  3. Body movement is better than muscular movement and infinitely less tiring.
  4. Concentrate on smoothness of action.
  5. Develop the follow through – it eliminates jerkiness of delivery.
  6. Adjust your length of step with the left foot so that the right hand is opposite it at the lowest point of the forward swing.

Stance

A player must stand on the mat and at the moment of delivering the bowl and must have one foot remaining within the confines of the mat. The foot may be either in contact with or over the mat. Failure to observe this law constitutes a foot-fault, an illegal shot.

……….and remember, enjoy yourself – it’s just a bit of fun

Why Not Come Along And Try It Out?

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