How to Play Lawn Bowls: A Complete Beginner's Guide

What Is Lawn Bowls?

Lawn bowls (also called lawn bowling or simply "bowls") is a precision sport where players roll slightly asymmetrical balls — called bowls — across a flat grass surface toward a small target ball called the jack. The objective is simple: get your bowls closer to the jack than your opponent's bowls.

What makes lawn bowls unique is bias. Every bowl is slightly lopsided, causing it to travel in a curved arc rather than a straight line. Learning to control this curve is the central skill of the sport and what makes it endlessly fascinating.

Lawn bowls is played by millions of people worldwide, particularly in Australia, England, Scotland, New Zealand, and South Africa. In the United States, there are over 200 clubs where you can learn and play. It is a sport that welcomes all ages and abilities — you can start at 8 or 80.

The Bowling Green: Where You Play

A bowling green is a precisely maintained, flat surface — either natural grass or synthetic turf. Understanding the green is essential before you step onto it.

Green Layout

• The green is a large square or rectangle, 31 to 40 meters long in the direction of play.
• It is divided into parallel playing lanes called rinks. Each rink is 4.3 to 5.8 meters wide.
• A typical green has 6 rinks, so 6 games can be played simultaneously.
• The green is surrounded by a shallow trench called the ditch (about 200–380mm wide).
• Beyond the ditch is the bank — a raised border.
• Each rink has boundary pegs on the bank and a center line running down the middle.

Why the Green Matters

The speed and condition of the green dramatically affect how your bowls behave. A fast green (dry, closely mown grass) means bowls travel further and the bias curve is more pronounced. A slow green (damp, longer grass) requires more effort and produces a tighter curve. Reading the green is a skill that develops over time.

Essential Equipment

You do not need to buy anything to try lawn bowls — most clubs lend equipment to beginners. But here is what is used:

Bowls

• Larger than a tennis ball but smaller than a soccer ball — 112 to 134mm in diameter, weighing up to 1.59 kg.
• Made of composite resin (historically made of lignum vitae wood, which is why they are still sometimes called "woods").
• Come in 9 standard sizes (0000 through 5). The right size depends on your hand span.
• Each bowl has concentric rings on both sides — the small ring indicates the bias side (the side toward which the bowl will curve).
• You will use a matched set of 2 or 4 bowls, depending on the game format.

The Jack

• A small, solid, perfectly round ball — 63 to 67mm in diameter.
• White or yellow in color.
• Unlike the bowls, the jack is unbiased — it rolls in a straight line.
• The jack is the target. At the start of each end, one player rolls it down the green to set the distance.

The Mat

• A small rubber rectangle placed on the rink to mark where you deliver from.
• You must keep at least one foot on or above the mat when you release your bowl.

Shoes

• Flat-soled shoes are mandatory. Regular shoes with textured soles can damage the delicate bowling green.
• Many clubs have loaner flat-soled shoes for beginners. Dedicated lawn bowling shoes start around $30.

For a detailed breakdown of everything you need, see our equipment guide.

How to Hold and Deliver a Bowl

The delivery is the core physical skill of lawn bowls. Here is the basic technique:

Step 1: Check the Bias

Look at the rings on your bowl. The small ring marks the bias side — the direction the bowl will curve toward. Make sure the small ring faces the direction you want the bowl to curve. Getting this wrong (called "wrong bias") sends the bowl curving away from your target.

Step 2: Grip the Bowl

• Hold the bowl with your dominant hand, cradling it in your palm and fingers.
• Your fingers should be spread comfortably around the bowl, with your thumb resting on top or slightly to the side.
• The grip should be firm but relaxed — squeezing too tightly causes tension and inconsistency.
• The bowl should feel secure in your hand. If it feels too large, you need a smaller size.

Step 3: Stand on the Mat

• Place both feet on the mat, facing roughly in the direction of your aiming line.
• Bend your knees slightly for stability.
• Keep your body relaxed and balanced.

Step 4: The Delivery

1. 1Aim wide. Because of bias, you must aim to the side of the jack, not directly at it. How far to the side depends on the green speed and the bias of your bowls. This aiming point is called your "line" and the space between your line and the target is called "grass" — as in, "take more grass."
2. 2Step forward with the foot on the same side as your bowling arm.
3. 3Swing your arm smoothly backward and then forward in a pendulum motion, close to your body.
4. 4Release the bowl at ground level. The bowl should land gently on the green, not bounce or thud. A smooth release is called "grounding" the bowl properly.
5. 5Follow through with your arm pointing toward your aiming line.

Step 5: Watch the Bias Work

After delivery, watch your bowl travel. Initially it moves relatively straight, but as it slows down, the bias takes increasing effect, curving the bowl toward the bias side. The last few meters often have the most dramatic curve. This is the beautiful part of lawn bowls — watching the arc bring your bowl to the jack.

Tips for Beginners

• Start with a comfortable weight. Do not try to blast the bowl down the green. A smooth, controlled delivery is far more effective.
• Focus on your line first. Weight (how hard you bowl) can be adjusted, but if your line is wrong, no amount of weight correction will help.
• Use a forehand delivery first. Most right-handed beginners find the forehand (bowl curving from right to left) more natural.
• Do not be embarrassed by mistakes. Every bowler has delivered a wrong bias. It is a rite of passage.

How an End Is Played

A game of lawn bowls is divided into ends. Here is how one end works:

1. Place the Mat

The team that won the previous end (or won the coin toss for the first end) places the mat on the center line of the rink. The mat position can be varied tactically — placing it further up the green shortens the playing distance.

2. Deliver the Jack

The lead (first player) from the mat-placing team rolls the jack down the green. The jack must travel at least 23 meters from the mat. If it goes in the ditch or off the rink, the opposing lead delivers it.

3. Center the Jack

Once the jack comes to rest, it is moved laterally to the center line of the rink.

4. Bowl

Players from each team take turns delivering their bowls. The lead from the mat-placing team bowls first, then the opposing lead, and so on, alternating. In team formats (Pairs, Triples, Fours), each player delivers all their bowls before the next pair of players begins.

5. Measure and Score

When all bowls have been delivered, the end is scored:

• The team with the closest bowl to the jack scores.
• That team earns one shot (point) for each of their bowls that is closer to the jack than the opponent's closest bowl.
• The opposing team scores zero for that end.

Example: Your team has bowls at 20cm, 35cm, and 80cm from the jack. The opponent's closest bowl is at 50cm. Your team scores 2 shots — the 20cm and 35cm bowls are both closer than the opponent's nearest.

6. Next End

Play reverses direction. The team that scored walks to the other end and places the mat there. A new end begins from the opposite direction.

Scoring and Winning

How Games Are Won

If the score is tied at the end of regulation, an extra end is played.

Player Positions in Team Games

In team lawn bowls, each position has specific responsibilities. Understanding these helps you know what to expect:

Lead

• Bowls first in each end
• Delivers the jack
• Focuses on draw shots — getting close to the jack
• Sets up the head (the cluster of bowls around the jack)

Second (Fours format only)

• Bowls second
• Reinforces the lead's position
• Keeps the scorecard
• Begins to play more varied shots

Third (Vice-Skip)

• Bowls third
• Directs play when the skip is bowling
• Measures close shots
• The tactical communicator of the team

Skip

• Bowls last — the most pressure-filled position
• Directs the team from the far end of the rink
• Makes all strategic decisions
• Must master every shot type: draw, drive, trail, wick, block, and more

For new players, the lead position is the best starting point. It focuses on the fundamental draw shot without the pressure of complex tactical decisions. Read more about player positions.

Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules

Lawn bowling has a strong tradition of sportsmanship and respect. Here are the essential etiquette rules:

1. 1Stand still and be quiet when someone is on the mat preparing to deliver. Movement in their peripheral vision is distracting.
2. 2Stay behind the mat or behind the head. Do not stand to the side of the rink or between the mat and the head.
3. 3Do not walk onto the green until your turn. And never walk on a neighboring rink.
4. 4Compliment good bowls — even your opponent's. "Good bowl" is the universal acknowledgment.
5. 5Do not delay play. Be ready to bowl when it is your turn.
6. 6Wear flat-soled shoes. This is not optional — regular shoes damage the green.
7. 7Shake hands before and after the game. Say "good game" regardless of the result.
8. 8Stay for a drink after the game. This is a time-honored tradition. Even a soft drink or water counts — it is about the social connection.

Game Formats: How Many Players?

Lawn bowls accommodates different group sizes with four standard formats:

Many social games use a shorter format — 10 to 15 ends, or multiple games of 7–8 ends with team reshuffling between games. This keeps the pace lively and lets you play with different people.

Learn more about each format in our game formats guide.

Types of Shots

As you progress beyond the basic draw shot, you will learn these additional shot types:

• Draw: The fundamental shot — roll your bowl gently to rest near the jack.
• Yard on: A slightly firmer draw that finishes about a yard past the jack, providing cover.
• Drive: A fast, forceful delivery meant to blast bowls out of the head or knock the jack into the ditch.
• Trail: A shot that moves the jack backward toward your own back bowls.
• Wick: Deflecting off another bowl to reach a position you cannot reach directly.
• Block: Placing a bowl short of the head to obstruct the opponent's line.
• Promote: Gently pushing one of your own team's bowls closer to the jack.

Beginners should focus almost exclusively on the draw shot. It is the foundation of the sport and the shot you will use 80% or more of the time.

Finding a Club and Getting Started

The best way to start lawn bowling is to visit a local club. Here is what to expect:

What to Expect at Your First Visit

1. 1Contact the club first. Call or email to ask about beginner sessions, open days, or "roll-up" times (informal practice).
2. 2Wear flat-soled shoes or ask if the club has loaners.
3. 3Wear comfortable, casual clothing. You do not need whites for your first visit.
4. 4The club will provide bowls. They will help you find the right size.
5. 5A club member will give you basic instruction. Expect a brief lesson covering delivery, bias, and the rules.
6. 6You will play a short game. Most introductory sessions last 1–2 hours.
7. 7Stay for a drink. Meet the members, ask questions, and enjoy the social side.

Where to Find Clubs

Use our club directory to find lawn bowling clubs across the United States. You can search by state, city, or zip code. Most clubs are welcoming to newcomers and offer free or low-cost introductory sessions.

You can also visit Bowls USA for a list of affiliated clubs organized by division.

Ready to Start Playing?

Lawn bowls is a sport that takes an afternoon to learn and a lifetime to master. The curved path of a well-delivered bowl, the strategic depth of reading the head, and the camaraderie of club life make it one of the most rewarding sports you can discover.

Find a club near you and give it a try. You might just find your new favorite pastime.

Want to learn the complete rules first? Read our lawn bowling rules guide. Confused by a term? Check the glossary.