Basic Rules of Lawn Bowling

There are many varieties of the game of bowls.  For the purposes of this document, three of the most popular variations are given, Lawn Bowls, Crown Green Bowls and Table Bowls.  In all, the basic rules of the game are exactly the same - it is only the equipment and the playing area that differ.  Accordingly, the descriptions of each game are given separately but the common rules of play are given only once.  As in all such games, specific rule variations abound according to the area and the club or pub.  These rules are comprehensive instructions for friendly play. They are not a complete set of standard regulations encompassing all situations that might be encountered. If in doubt, players should always abide by locally-played or house rules. 

Please note that 1 metre = 100 cm = 3.28 feet.  3 feet = 1 yard.

Lawn Bowlings - Basic Play

The Equipment

Each person has a set of uniquely marked bowls (Historically called "woods") which are balls with a weight on one side called a "bias".  In the past woods were normally made from lignum vitae but these days hard rubber or a compound material is often used.   These bowls are rolled with the bias on the left or right side so that the bowl adopts a curved path towards the target.  The target is a smaller ball, usually white, called a "jack".

The Play

A coin is tossed to decide which player will start the first "end.  After that, the player who won the previous end bowls the first bowl of the next one. 

To start, players take turns to bowl the jack until one bowls it to a position that is in accordance with the rules.  The player who is to bowl first is the player who has the first chance to bowl the jack.  Under most circumstances, the first try is all that is needed.

Once the first bowl has been bowled, the other players then take turns to roll their bowls towards the jack.  Bowls are not always played with the aim of being closest to the jack - they are often played to knock opposing bowls out of contention or to move the jack or other bowls of the same team into a more advantageous position. 

The winner of the end will score one point for each bowl that is closer to the jack than the opposing team's closest bowl.  The player or team that first reaches 15, 16, 18, or 21 points or some other amount agreed up front, wins.

Lawn Bowling

Lawn Bowling is popular throughout England Canada, Australia and the world. 

The Equipment

A standard bowling green is a flat square lawn between 33 and 44 yards long.   Delimiting the edge of the lawn is a ditch.  The surface is divided into strips or "rinks" 19 to 21 feet apart so that multiple games occur across the whole lawn, one in each rink. 

The unbiased jack is 2 1/2 inches in diameter while the bowls or woods are 4 3/4 - 5 1/8 inches in diameter and weigh 2lb 12oz - 3lb 8oz.

The Play & Positions          

Singles/                                                                         Skip – only                             4 bowls each

Doubles – Pairs /                                                      Vice -  Skip                              4 bowls each

Triples /                                              Lead-             Vice -   Skip                             3 bowls each

Foursome /                                        Lead-       2^nd Vice    Vice -     Skip             2 bowls each

The game is played on a "rink " of grass ,  

In "singles", each player plays four bowls.  Players will alternate their shots

In "pairs", each player plays four bowls - the first players on each side alternate shots with four bowls and then the Skips or second player on each team alternate their four shots.  

In "triples", three players play three bowls each.  Players will alternate their shots

And in "fours" or "rinks", four players play just two bowls each. Players will alternate their shots

Each  player must stand with one foot on a centrally placed small black mat, 24 x 14 inches while bowling. 

The mat is placed by the player who starts.  For the first end, it is placed four yards in from the ditch, thereafter it is placed anywhere more than 2 1/2 yards in from the near ditch and more than 25 yards from the far ditch.  Once the end is over, play starts in the reverse direction. 

The jack must go at least 23 yards, must stay within the rink and must not fall into the ditch.  If it is within 2 1/2 yards of the ditch, it is moved back so that it lies 2 1/2 yards in from the ditch.  Before the first bowl is thrown, the jack is always carefully centered to the middle line of the rink.