Bowls
Played outdoors on a flat square of grass, or indoors on an artificial surface, bowls involves throwing/rolling a ball to end up as close to a target as possible.
- See Also:
- Petanque
An Overview of Bowls
Bowls truly is the sport for all - all ages, all sexes and all abilities.
There are many different formats of the game recognised – flat green outdoor, flat green indoor, crown green and short mat – so there are plenty of opportunities for you to give it a go.
Bowls is also a relatively cheap game compared to other sports, whether you choose to join an indoor or outdoor club, or 'pay and play' at your local park.
Benefits
- Lawn bowls provides open-air exercise
- Comradeship
- Improved mental and physical facilities
Costs
The cost of taking up lawn bowls varies from club to club, so it is always best to contact your local one direct to find out the exact prices. Some clubs ask only for a one off membership fee, but most ask for an annual fee, plus an additional playing fee. Some also offer sessions where you can pay and play.
Adaptations and Equipment
Playing equipment consists of:
- A set of 4 matched bowls
- The jack - a small white ball
- A mat
Facts
- The 1930 British Empire Games - the first of what would later become known as the Commonwealth Games - were also the first to feature lawn bowls as one of just seven sports on the programme.
Find Bowls Clubs/Groups Near You
Use the search below to find local organisations near you.
National Governing Bodies
Bowls England
- Contact Name
- Bowls England General Enquiries
- Contact Email
- enquiries@bowlsengland.com
- Contact Telephone
- 01926 334609
British Crown Green Bowling Association
- Contact Name
- Bowls England General Enquiries
- Contact Email
- enquiries@bowlsengland.com
- Contact Telephone
- 01926 334609
English Indoor Bowling Association
- Contact Name
- General Information
- Contact Email
- enquiries@eiba.co.uk
- Contact Telephone
- 01664 481900
Disability Sport Worcester
Disability Sport Worcester specialises in creating and running sporting events, clubs and activities for children and adults with disabilities.
Active Communities Worcester
Freedom Leisure’s Active Communities team work on developing a range of sport, play & physical activity programmes to get the local community active!
Worcester u3a Group
Worcester u3a, part of a wider national network of u3as, is an active and lively organisation for those no longer working full-time. Run by our members, for our members, it offers wonderful opportunities to ‘Learn, Laugh, Live’ – the motto of the na
Ripple Short Mat Bowls Club
We have been playing bowls for 3 years. we aim to provide a local activity group for the community primarily for the fun of playing bowls. However, we are taking part in charity competitions and we play in the Gloucestershire summer and winter leagues
Bromsgrove & District Indoor Bowls
Indoor bowls facility available for use by members and community. 6 playing rinks.
Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest
Age UK Bromsgrove Redditch & Wyre Forest is a local charity supporting older people. Our aim is to make North Worcestershire a better place for people to grow older, by delivering a range of local support and services for the over 50’s, promoting indep
Redditch Bowls Club
Our Bowls Club has grown out of the HDA bowls club. It is now an independent club sharing the site and some clubhouse facilities with Redditch Borough Community Sports & Social Club. We aim to provide lawn bowls for all
Evesham Bowling Club
Bowling open to all age groups as a way to keep active in a social and competitive environment.
Brimfield & Little Hereford Bowling Club
Brimfield and Little Hereford Bowling Club welcome new bowlers.
One of our members, Bill Wheatley, is a BDA level 2 coach, qualified to run level 1 and level 2 coaching courses, assess coaches taking the level 1 and level 2 courses, and would be happ
Halo Leisure
Halo is a registered charity and social enterprise running 20 leisure centres. We are a 'not for profit' organisation, with no shareholders. The money we make is ploughed back into the facilities. This allows us to keep costs low a
Age UK BRWF Indoor Bowls (Redditch)
Come and join us for Indoor Bowls at Willow Trees Community Centre (B98 9JL), Wednesdays 2-4pm!
Bowls England Development Loan
Development Loans are available for Bowls clubs affiliated with Bowls England and relates to any item such as clubhouse improvements, fencing, car parks and changing rooms and loans of up to £20,000 (free of interest), repayable over up to eight years, are available.
Bowls England Coaching Bursary
Bowls England’s Coaching Bursary Scheme assists members of affiliated clubs who wish to obtain a Coach Bowls qualification.
Bowls England Club Loans Scheme
The Bowls England Loans Scheme is available to support clubs who wish to improve their facilities, with loans of up to £20,000.