The game of Lawn Bowls is played on a RINK within the GREEN. The green is at least 120 feet square. There are eight rinks on each green, each at least 14 feet wide. The rinks are numbered 1 through 8, with boundaries defined by a black stripe on each side of the rink number.
The general object of the game is for participants to roll each of their BOWLS as close as possible to a single small white ball called the JACK (or kitty). Bowls may hit the jack, but the jack must remain within the boundary markers or the END will be declared "dead." Bowls are likely to hit other bowls, and may propel them into a position that is perhaps nearer to the jack, or perhaps to a distant position outside the boundary marker line that will take them out of play.
Games are played between opposing teams, each with from one to four players. SINGLES games are played between two players, DOUBLES between two pairs, TRIPLES between teams of three, and rinks between teams of four players.
After all members of each team have rolled a set of bowls (the completion of an END), the bowl closest to the jack counts one point for its team, and every other bowl belonging to that same team that is closer to the jack than the nearest one of the competitors’ counts 1 additional point. Game is made up of a series of these completed ends.
Each BOWLER has a matching set of four bowls. Each bowl in a set has a matching pair of distinguishing decorations on opposite sides. The number of bowls that each player uses is dependent on the number of team members. Bowls are not perfectly spherical, and will not roll straight. One side is slightly flattened, and it is toward that side with its BIAS that will draw the path of the bowl in a sweeping arc. The mastery of this phenomenon is at the heart of the challenge and excitement of the game.
A game is started by flipping a coin to see which team will bowl first. A member of that team will set the MAT 6 feet, 6 inches (2 meters) from the ditch, and while standing on the MAT, will roll the jack a minimum distance of 74 feet 9 inches (23 meters) from the front edge of the mat. Next, that person gives directions to position the jack on a center of the rink. Then, players on each team alternate rolling a bowl until all bowls have been delivered towards the jack. Each bowler must keep one foot on or over the MAT until the bowl has been released. When all bowls have been rolled, it constitutes the completion of an end. On successive ends, the mat may be placed as much as 45 feet from the ditch.
The team that wins the end starts the next end by positioning the mat and rolling the jack. If the jack falls short or lands out of bounds, the opposing team gets the privilege of rolling the jack. If the second try fails, one more jack delivery cycle is attempted. If that also fails, the jack is positioned 6 ft., 6 in. (2 meters) from the ditch and centered. Part of the strategy of the game depends on the advantage gained by controlling the position of the mat and the jack.
The local Lawn Bowling Club is the center of all bowling activities and will be your first introduction to the sport. Clubs are governed by their own Officers and Board of Directors. There will be many opportunities for you to participate in club activities as you get to know your fellow members.
National Lawn Bowling is governed by the United States Lawn Bowls Association which has its own officers and Board. 7 men and 7 women comprise the Board. They represent the 7 Divisions established to oversee lawn bowling on the local level. Your club should be a part of one of these Divisions. Division tournaments make it possible for you to qualify to become a national champion or to represent the United States in international competition.
International Tournaments are established by World Bowls and are played in various venues around the world. The World Bowls Tournament is held every four years and the United States team qualifies regularly for this event. It was last held in Scotland in 2004. (results can be found elsewhere on this site)
World Bowls reviews and edits the rules of the game to keep pace with the changing times. Each member country adopts or modifies the rules under the auspices of their National Umpire who in turn must qualify the Division Umpires.
The dress code for National or Divisional tournaments is established by the USLBA and closely follows that established by the WORLD BOWLS, the international governing authority. Local clubs may accept or modify this code by action of their own Board. Many clubs wear whites for tournament or holiday play only. Club or team colored shirts can also be worn.
Flat smooth shoes are usually the prerequisite for anyone using or walking on a bowling green. This is to prevent leaving deep imprints and to remove the possibility that wild grass or weed seed may find its way to the green.
