Lawn bowling - or "bowls," as the game is known throughout the British Commonwealth - is played on 120 ft. x 15 ft. rinks within a large square playing area, the green, which measures 120 ft. on each side. If the entire green is in good condition, it can accommodate up to eight games at the same time.
Games are played by individuals or two-, three-, or four-person teams. In singles games (one against one), each player uses a full set of four bowls. In pairs (two against two), each player also uses four bowls. In triples, three each. In fours, also called "rinks," each player has two bowls.
The traditional colors for bowls are black and brown, but nowadays bowls also come in red, green, blue, and other colors. To enable players to identify their bowls during games, manufacturers apply a variety of engravings to the bowls. One player may purchase a set engraved with a bird, while another will choose a geometric design. There are hundreds of choices available and this makes it highly unlikely that a player will encounter someone else with an identical set. If this should occur, there are temporary stickers that can be used to end the confusion.
Games are played to points or ends. Singles games are usually played to a predetermined total of points, with the winner being the first to reach, say, 18, 21, or 25 points. Pairs, triples, and rinks games are played to a pre-set number of "ends." Ends are similar to innings in baseball, except that the teams (or the tournament director) decide ahead of time how many ends will constitute a game. An end has been completed when all the players in the game have bowled in one direction. At that time, designated players "count the head," that is, they see which team has won more points for that end. For example, if one team has two bowls that are closer to the jack than the opposing team's closest bowl, the first team has two points. Each team keeps a running total of the score throughout the game. Typical games may be played to 12, 14, or 16 ends. One game can last for about two hours. During an all-day tournament, teams may play four or more games.
Each player on a team has a designation and specific duties. The captain, called the "skip," bowls last, makes the team's tactical and strategic decisions, and directs the play of his or her team members. Depending upon the size of the team, i.e., pairs, triples, or rinks, other players are designated to act as measurer and scorer. The first player to bowl in an end is the "lead," who places the mat (where each player stands before bowling) and delivers the jack to the length directed by the skip. These duties are performed by the lead whose team won the previous end; at the start of a game, this is determined by the toss of a coin.
The end of each rink is bounded by a small ditch (2 to 8 inches deep and 8 to 15 inches wide). If the jack is struck during play and goes into the front ditch (near the head), it remains "alive" and play continues. If a bowl in play touches the jack and later, at any time during that end, goes into the ditch, that bowl remains "alive" and is considered to be a part of the head. That bowl is marked with chalk and called a "toucher." If any bowl goes into the front ditch without touching the jack, it's removed from play.
If the jack is moved during an end and remains in bounds, play continues. If the jack moves out of bounds, the end is declared "dead" and replayed. Ground rules may place a limit on the number of dead ends allowed during a game.
Lawn bowls has a body of laws and traditions of etiquette that combine to make this game a pleasure for all who participate. Courteous players will refrain from any behavior that interferes with the play of another. To cite a few examples: When a player is on the mat and preparing to bowl, that player controls the rink. No one on the opposing team should speak at that time. When a player is preparing to bowl, other players standing behind the head should be motionless until that player delivers his or her bowl. There should never be any loud or rude behavior on the green.
The ideal bowling green has a firm, smooth, level surface, with good drainage and close-cropped grass. A top-quality green in North America will have a "pace" of 12 seconds or higher. That is, it takes a bowl no less than 12 seconds from the time of its delivery to come to rest at a point 27 meters (88 ft. 7 in.) from the front edge of the mat (the "mat line"). The faster the green, the slower the bowl! That may sound puzzling at first - but it means that a bowler must use greater force to propel the bowl a given distance on a slow green - and less force, on a fast green.
Bowling greens require a lot of maintenance. To keep the playing surface firm, old thatch (the mat of undecomposed plant material that accumulates next to the soil) must be eliminated and kept to a minimum. This is done by the process of verticutting, which cuts the thatch and brings it to the surface for removal. Regular top dressing with a fine grade of sand helps the firmness and levelness of the green. The green should be weed-free and not over-watered. Ideally, the grass should be mowed to a length not exceeding one-eighth of an inch. Bowlers can assist in caring for the green by wearing proper shoes (with smooth, heel-less soles), not dropping bowls onto the green, and varying mat positions so as to avoid compaction.
The object of the game is to roll (deliver) the bowl so that it comes to rest close to a small white ball (the jack) at the far end of the rink. The three-pound bowl, made of a plastic composite, does not roll in a straight line. Due to its shape (it's biased, not round), the bowl rolls in a curve. A team wins points during a game by placing more bowls closer to the jack than the opposing team.
