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About Bowls
Bowls??
Bowls?
Bowls, also known as lawn bowling, is a strategic, challenging and fun sport that is played around the world.
Players roll bowls -- hard resin balls with a bias to them -- on a long, rectangular grass or artificial surface called a "rink". The object of the game is to roll your bowls closer to the target than your opponents. The target is a small white ball called a "jack". The thing is... the bowls have a bias, so they travel along an elliptical path, not straight ... and the jack can be moved by a bowl, so now, your target has moved!
Players from each team take turns rolling their bowls towards the jack until all bowls have been played. This completes one "end", and scoring takes place. Play resumes in the opposite direction, until several ends are completed for a full game.
Who Can Play?
Who Can Play? -- Everyone!
Lawn Bowling is accessible, easy to learn, convenient and inexpensive!
Bowls is highly inclusive! It is a gentle, low-impact activity that can be played by schoolchildren, their parents and their grandparents. The bowls weigh only 1.5kg/4 lbs or less, and there are smaller training bowls and children's bowls available, as well as bowling arms and lifting devices to aid those who have trouble with their knees!
Bowls is easy to learn but still provides a challenge! It is one of the easiest sports to learn well enough to enjoy yourself, but it can also offer a continuing challenge to improve your skill. Many members play casual club games, while others play more competitively by participating in leagues and competitions ---even becoming Provincial and National Champions!
Lawn bowling is convenient! Unlike summer activities such as golf, fishing, or slow-pitch, bowls games take less than two hours, allowing friends and families to spend quality time together in a fun outdoor environment, but still leaving plenty of time to do other things. Each club sets its own schedule, but most play casual games during the day, evenings and weekends.
Lawn bowling is one of the least expensive forms of leisure activity. A pair of runners is the only equipment required, as most clubs offer loaner or rental bowls. Most clubs offer visitors a free trial game or two, and many offer a reduced price for new members. Regular-priced club fees are generally under $100 for the outdoor season.
Getting Started
How Do I Get Started?
It's easy!
In Spring or Summer, click on the CLUBS tab (or the button below) to discover which clubs are close to you, and when they have their days and times of play. Likewise, in Fall or Winter, click on the INDOOR tab (or the button below) to discover information about indoor lawn bowling facilities in Winnipeg.
Most clubs and facilities allow visitors to play and use the club bowls for free at least once or twice. You should contact the club ahead of time and let them know when you are coming out for the first time so they can ensure there is someone available to give you some coaching and a basic rules run-through. Please arrive 15-20 minutes before games are scheduled to start so that you can choose some bowls and get some instruction. Wear comfortable clothing (it doesn't have to be white!!) and a pair of clean, flat soled shoes -- regular running shoes are perfect!
Basic Rules for Beginners
Basic Rules for Beginners
Lawn Bowling has been described as "curling on grass"!
The game is played by opponents taking turns rolling their bowls towards the target, a small white ball called the jack. Points (shots) are won by the side whose bowl or bowls are closer to the jack than any of those of the opposition. Games can be played 1 vs 1 (singles), or in teams of pairs, triples or fours. The positions are Lead, Second, Third/Vice, and Skip.
Generally, there are a set number of ends per game. An end consists of each team's players taking turns rolling their bowls down to the other end of the rink, trying to get close to the jack. Once all bowls have been rolled, the scoring team records its points on a score card, and then the next end begins by playing in the opposite direction. When the set number of ends are completed, the game is done and the team with the most points wins.
To start the game, the winner of a coin toss can play first or allow their opponent to do so. The initial Lead Player places the delivery mat, and, standing on it, rolls the jack down to the other end of the rink, where it is centred in the middle of the rink. The Lead then rolls their first bowl, and then the Opposing Lead rolls their first bowl. The Lead and Opposing Lead continue taking turns until all their bowls are played. Then, the Seconds take their turns, followed by the Thirds/Vices and finally the Skips. When the last bowl has been played, the players decide who has the closest bowl(s) to the jack, and enter the number on the score card. They then clear the bowls and jack, and begin the next end, rolling the jack down to the opposite end of the rink, following the same routine, until the required number of ends has been played.
Players' bowls can draw up to the jack, move the jack, and hit other bowls (from their team or the opposing team) when trying to get their team closest to the jack.
Unlike curling, the boundaries of the rink are open, and there is a ditch at each end of the rink. Bowls can travel outside of the boundaries of the rink, but must come to rest inside the boundaries of the rink; otherwise they are removed. A bowl that rolls into the ditch, either directly or because another bowl hit it, is removed from play unless it is a "toucher" -- that is, it touched the jack on its way down the rink. These "touchers" are marked with chalk and if they go into the ditch, they remain in play. The jack can be moved by a bowl, and, unless it goes outside the rink boundaries, it remains in play, even if it goes into the ditch. If it goes outside the rink boundaries, it is re-centred, 2 metres from the end of the rink.
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