Welcome to my bowls channel. I have been playing bowls since 1984, and started coaching about ten years ago. On this channel, produce videos on how to play lawn bowls, aimed at potential new bowlers or those looking for help to improve their game. I love this game and want to encourage everyone to give it a try. It is one of the few sports a whole family can play as there is no age limit, as long as your hand is big enough to hold a bowl. so, watch the videos and come and give this great game a try. Alec. email: lawnbowlsforfun@gmail.com
Hi, I use felt, as indoors they stick nicely to an indoor surface and outdoors they seem to stay put, but if windy I can pin them to the surface with a small plastic tack which does not affect the bowl if it runs over it. I have seen coloured card being used and even paper, but that is too easily moved if the bowl runs over it. I once saw someone use a coloured counter, as being so small it also did not affect the bowl when contact was made. I hope this helps.
Yes, I did call them Grooves, an error on my part, but I did type Sonics in the edit when I realised my mistake, so I thought it was clear. They are sonics, not grooves. I have always said I am an amateur at this, proves I was right. 😊
Hi , ive been playing 4 years now , getting better as playing time goes up Issue im having is i throw the jack then get first bowl near touchin jack or vwry close, then with the next 3 bowls i can be yards away , very frustrating, as im obvs judging the length well from the off, i think some of it may be from when starting the amount of times id get the shot then give it away by being too close again and popping the jack out , is it just a case of being more aggressive with the remaining biwls? Its frustrating as the ends im winning i only get the1 maybe 2 shots , then if i have a end where im nowhere near the opponent is hitting me for 3's sometimes 4 ... Its all very erratic
I agree with you, maybe you are too afraid of moving the jack so are too cautious with the other shots you play. Giving the shot away will happen on occasion, but positive play is the best way forward. I think if you play negative bowls you will get even more frustrated, just go for every shot as if you are losing, I am sure it will stop that from happening. :) Let me know how you get on.
Alex, even though my bowls are only six months old, the shine has definitely gone from new. Is Grippo good for bowl restoration, putting back the colour?
Yes, I use Grippo to polish my bowls up. Every so often, if they look grubby, I wash them in soapy water, dry them, add some grippo, polish up with a cloth and they look great. They can get scratched too, especially if sand is added to the green for any reason, so it helps with the scratches too.
If you later add to this helpful video, can you explain what happens when the delivery of the jack is short or ditched - i.e. it gets sent back for the opponent to deliver the jack - and nention that they can reposition the mat if they wish (tactics). Now here's the big question. If they then deliver a short or ditched jack and the jack then gets placed on the 2mt mark, can the mat get moved again by the lead team's number one, before they send their first wood? Many thanks.
If both leads have messed up the jack placement, and it needs delivering a third time, the jack is placed on the 2 metre mark and the team that won the previous end (the lead of that team) can then place the mat wherever they want. That is the current rule. :)
I was asked to be the alternate for my friend's Lawn Bowling team. I will be bowling for the first time this coming Thursday and your video has helped greatly. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
you have to repeat the exact same test outdoor!!! would love to see. i think the inertia of the heavier bowls might carry them further through the jungle?
i’ve wondered why the rink doesn’t look square I see now it’s because the mowing lines are diagonal and that doesn’t help. may i suggest future talks are on a rink with lines that straight up and down. Otherwise well done.
Bowling greens are always mowed diagonal. In fact I have never been on a bowling green where it has been mowed straight up and down. I think it is mainly to stop tram lines being formed by the mower, although a green keeper would have more to say on this. If I find out more info I will add more at a later date. Good question though.
I did watch a game a short while ago where a chap would trott down the rink after he bowled his ball, he would look at where his ball ended up, as the game went on, it became obvious that this was simply gamesmanship 😐
It's a shame this happens, but it does, although in most cases it is not done on purpose, it's just some players get excited and follow their bowl. If it happens too often it can slow the game down and be very annoying.
Thanks Alec, clear instructions. Just wondering on anyones thoughts about using an App on your mobile phone, I have uploaded one which if you hold the phone over the jack, it then takes an image which then you can measure the distance of the balls, Ive used it in a friendly game to test the accuracy and seems ok, I’m sure this method would not be allowed in a professional game
I have seen that too, but only in a roll up, not a proper game. I think it is not allowed, as bowls tape measures must be used in all measuring. Maybe an umpire will see this and reply too.
They all used to be black or brown. Just different emblems to determine the ownership, but colour has come into the sport which has become more popular over time. I love to see colours used, I have purple and blue bowls. :)
Thanks for the video really usefull tips there how can i bowl consisently as thats my problem at the momeny. As wgen i bowl in a match the first 6 ends im hitting the line and length majority of the time then the second part of tge ends it seems like i forget everything i did in the begining. Any help will be appriciated
Yes, I know how you feel. Sometimes one half of the game you are bowling well, then it all goes wrong. Or the other way round. Why is that? I could write a book on it, but even top sportsmen find it hard to understand whey that happens. It is worth trying to work out why, if the length has changed? is the mat in a different place? I am a big believer that if you are losing a game, when you get control of the mat, try and change something, which may be better for you or put your opponent off. Sometimes though it just happens for no reason, we have all been there. :)
They sell them here: greensandleisure.co.uk/products/access-steps-corner?variant=47988480147784 One on its own is quite expensive but if you buy 4 they work out much less. I hope this helps.
Hi Alec loving your videos, came across them as a beginner last year and have watched all, would love to see them more often. As to this experiment scientifically would friction come into play more with the smaller diameter wood because the whole circumference comes in contact with the mat more often than the larger wood over the same distance, just a thought, this is only a rough experiment which you both demonstrated very well and at the end of the day the woods you use are down to your hand size and what fits comfortably, anyhow keep up the good work, keep bowling and stay well.
Friction does slow the bowl down, which is why on grass the bowl needs more power than on carpet. But I am not sure about the friction of a bigger bowl being more than a smaller one as I think the curvature of the bowl would only allow the same amount of surface to touch the ground whatever size you use, But I am not sure, you could be correct. I will have to look into this a little more. Great question.
Place three jacks on the green, short, medium and long, bowl one bowl to each jack in turn, the last bowl to the jack which is hardest for you. Changing weight often like that helps you concentrate more which should help. Vary backswing with each length, or vary step you take, depending on distance. I must do a vid on this. :)
Hi Mark, they are both very good mid bias bowls. I have owned them both and would recommend either for a new bowler. DP Professional (or Pro-50, which have a deeper grip) have a slight swing at the end of their delivery, Taylor Ace (or Ace Xtreme , also with deeper grips) have a more gradual line, but both are fine sets of bowls. Try both if you can, to see if you prefer one over the other.
Hacksaw for me, I can bowl 24 ends and still walk off the green. It has changed my bowling too. I think by standing you can look at were you want the bowl to go.
Further to my earlier post. What decided me to go from a 3 to a 1 was in April when our outdoor club opened, a little lady 4ft 11 and 7 stone approx ,bowling with Drake's Pride 0000s Medium weight was reaching the long jack and me 5ft 10 , 13 1/2th stone was wellying them down and mostly coming up a yard or so short.I know technique plays a big part but I coached her.
I would love to see this test done on a heavy grass green - say 10 or 11 seconds. My theory is the lighter ones will go a bit further due to the heavier bowls sinking down into the grass.
So would I, but it is too big to transfer in my car. I think the difference would be minimal, but I would still like to try. I will try and find a solution.
Another very interesting video. Some years ago there was a YT video of the same thing and they found the small bowl went through about a yard further than the others but they only used one of each size, so your video is better. One other point, I have recently gone down to a size1 from a three and find it easier to get up outdoors, my wife found the same when she went to 00s , must be because they don't sink into the green so deep?.
It may also be the fact you may be gripping the smaller bowl better. I have seen many times players struggling to hold larger bowls, but when they go down a size they improve, especially in wet conditions.
Communication on the green is important, so is encouragement. I always let my team players know how far their bowl has run, short or through, as they can see the width. I always try and be encouraging in what I say. I was once told 'if you have nothing positive to say, then say nothing'. I think that is a great tip. Everyone wants to play well, but when they don't, they also don't need someone having a go at them. So even though I may despair at times, I never show it. :)
I'm a relative newbie ( 2yrs playing) Never played on grass, but I have tried a size 5 down to 00 indoors , IMHO the difference is negligible regarding the amount of effort to reach a given point on the green (carpet), although lot's of bowlers tell me different. I think your side kick Harrison hit the nail on the head or should I say "it's in your head" . I use a 0 because it's comfortable and I enjoy playing with them, so many people tell me they are too small 🥱they are coloured "speckled" ,I believe they are heavier than a black or brown bowl? your video's are unique .Thank you for making the effort to do them 👍
He did hit the nail on the head. Agreed, use a bowl you are comfortable with. I would never recommend using a larger bowl for what little advantage, (if any) it gives you.
Hi Alec, glad to see a new video from you. I've just taken up bowls due to back problems preventing me from playing golf and have watched all of your videos several times each so far. Would just like to thank you for all of the information you've shared, it's made it really easy to pick up the basics and get involved
I think larger bowls can be slightly more effective if hitting smaller ones, also a larger bowl hit by a smaller one may be slightly harder to move, but it is only a very small advantage, not enough to pick a large bowl over a smaller one. I think it is more important using a bowl that is the right for your hand.
Hi Alec, your tutorial videos are a great resource. However, there is one thing I feel is a bit lacking. You use jargon in a lot of your videos. Could you do a terminology video, where you explain all the different terminologies? These include through, up, wide, narrow, weight, grass, etc. These are obviously just some that I have noticed while watching.
G'day Alec, great videos mate, thanks very much. As an Aussie living in the UK I must say I've never been to a green in Australia that wasn't marked up with the centre line and T's at 2m each end. Is it usual for UK greens to not be marked up with chalk?
I think that is unique to Australia, although other countries may do it. I have never seen it in the UK. I would like to try it though, to see if it makes any difference. Maybe a trip to Oz is needed. I have 4 cousins out there, two of who bowl. Yes, I must do that. ;)
@@LawnBowlsforFun From what I know, after prepping the green the green keeper simply runs a taut string line on the centre line of the rink, rubs chalk along the bottom edge of it from the T point out to the minimum length point and lets the string line snap back onto the green which transfers the chalk from the string to the grass. Pretty simple solution and it means you don't have to guess as to what is a minimum length jack. Oh and they draw the cross line for the T too.
Hi John, That is a challenge, as teaching line is easier, the length being the hard bit. It’s a case of getting a feel for the correct amount of swing and power needed, which comes with time. I find it helps if you vary the swing of the bowling arm, or adjust the step forward (if you take a step) helps. So practice by placing three jacks on the green at short, medium and long, then bowl to each one in turn. A shorter step or follow through for the short bowl, getting longer for the medium and longer jacks. If you practice that, it should help. Let me know if it does. Thanks.
I've been asked to skip on Saturday 4.5.24... 3x3 over 21 ends...I have never skipped before, I was confused about the score card not having used one, but I am pumped and ready to roll!!! Thanks for the tutorial x
Here's an idea for another interesting video. Comparing same bias but different size bowls. 00s 2s 4s do the heaviest largest go further or shorter. Bowlers go smaller hoping they will get up easier. Is it a fallacy?.
Thank-you for posting these videos. I know that I will learn alot from watching and re-watching them and look foward to doing so. As it is, I will be joining one of our local clubs very soon and your clear explanation of how the game is played will be most helpful to me in the near future. TY
I started playing bowls on 21 December 2023. I am 67 and I play this two hours twice a week. I enjoy every minute in the rink😊 Thank you very much! Greetings from Hong Kong 😊
We play on pretty heavy greens. 8sec to 11 sec. Grippo SIGNIFICANTLY adds to the control I have on the bowl. When it's damp/wet ... Grippo on the bowl AND on the fingers (reapplying as necessary) helps a lot .
