NEW MEMBERS WELCOME

Whether you’re new to the sport or looking to switch clubs, we’d love to hear from you.

 

A Game For Everybody...

Have you ever considered playing lawn bowls? This gentle yet engaging sport is perfect for people of all ages and fitness levels.  Now’s your chance to give it a go by joining us at GB Britton Bowls Club.  Lawn bowls is fun, easy to pick up, and endlessly rewarding as you refine your skills over time. Everyone, regardless of ability, is welcome to come along and try it out.

Our successful and vibrant club offers a warm and friendly atmosphere, making it the perfect place for people of all ages to enjoy the game.  The club boasts a spacious clubhouse with a competitively priced lounge bar that overlooks our professionally maintained six-rink green.  With ample free on-site parking, men’s, women’s, and disabled changing facilities, and flexible hours until dusk every day during the season, there’s plenty of opportunity to play—whether you’re a busy working, retired, or a young beginner.

 

 

Why Should You Take Up Bowls?
The answer is simple: lawn bowls offers countless benefits for players of all ages.  Whether you’re eight or eighty, a total beginner or a seasoned player, this inclusive sport is accessible to everyone.

One of the great features of lawn bowls is its adaptability.  You can start playing as a child and continue enjoying the game throughout your life. Unlike more physically demanding sports, lawn bowls is gentle on the body, making it a great activity for later years.

Although it might look like a leisurely pastime, lawn bowls offers excellent low-impact exercise.  The game involves walking, bending, and upper-body movements, providing physical activity without putting excessive strain on the joints.

Beyond the physical benefits, lawn bowls is a fantastic way to connect with others.   It’s a social sport that allows you to meet new people, form friendships, and build a sense of community.  These social connections can help boost mental well-being and are especially valuable for anyone feeling isolated. At GB Britton, we also offer a variety of social events during the winter months, along with a full summer calendar of friendly and league games for men and women.

Come and Join Us!
Why not give lawn bowls a try and have some fun with your family?  All you need to give it a go is some comfortable clothing and flat shoes, and we’ll take care of the rest. Our experienced coaches will be on hand to guide you, and we’ll provide all the equipment you need to get started.

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 have at least one foot on the mat and at the moment of delivering the bowl and one foot must remain 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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