Bowls, sometimes called lawn bowls or indoor bowls, is a welcoming, accessible sport enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. Whether played on a sun‑lit outdoor green or inside on a smooth artificial surface, the aim of the game is always the same: deliver your bowls so they finish as close as possible to the small white ball called the jack. With simple rules, gentle physical activity, and a strong social spirit, bowls is one of the most inclusive sports you can try.
Indoor vs Outdoor Bowls
Although the principles are shared, the two main forms of the game have a few differences:
- Outdoor bowls is played on natural grass or synthetic outdoor surfaces. Weather, wind, and seasonal conditions introduce extra strategy and variation. Outdoor greens are usually divided into rinks marked with boundary lines.
- Indoor bowls is played on long, narrow carpets or synthetic surfaces inside purpose‑built centres. A typical indoor rink is around 40 metres long and ensures consistent playing conditions year‑round. For players who prefer steady conditions—or for those who want to enjoy the game in winter—indoor bowls is ideal.
Despite these differences, both versions use biased bowls that curve as they roll, which is what makes the sport both tactical and rewarding.
Who Can Play?
Bowls is celebrated for its inclusivity. It welcomes children (often from around age nine), adults, and seniors well into their eighties and beyond. The slightly curved movement of the bowl may take practice, but the physical demands are low, making it suitable for a huge variety of players.
The sport is also highly adaptable. Many clubs support:
- Wheelchair users
- Players with limited mobility
- Blind and visually impaired bowlers
- Social or competitive participants.
Because of this, bowls is often described as a sport ‘from 9 to 90’ and beyond.
How the Game Works
Bowls can be played in singles, pairs, triples, or teams of four. The game begins with a coin toss, and the winner rolls the jack to the far end of the rink or green. Once centred, the jack becomes the target.
Players then take turns delivering their bowls. Because each bowl is weighted on one side, it follows a gentle arc rather than a straight path. Choosing the right line and weight (distance) is a key part of developing skill.
An end is complete once all bowls have been played. Scoring is straightforward: a point is awarded for every bowl that finishes closer to the jack than the opponent’s nearest bowl. Games may be played to a set number of ends or until one player or team reaches a target score, usually 15 to 21 points.
Equipment Required
The following is the basic equipment required:
- A set of bowls
- Flat‑soled bowling shoes.
Most clubs lend equipment to newcomers so you can try the game before buying your own. As you progress, you can explore specialised items such as clothing, bags, and measuring tools. At TDBC we have a well-stocked shop and you purchase most of the necessary equipment and uniforms there.
Why Try Bowls?
Bowls is a sport of strategy, precision, and sociability. It can be competitive or relaxed, physically gentle or mentally challenging, depending on how you choose to approach it. For many players it becomes, not just a hobby, but a community.
Whether indoors or outdoors, bowls offers an enjoyable, accessible, and rewarding experience for players of all backgrounds. If you’re looking for a sport that combines skill, friendship, and fun, bowls is an excellent place to begin.
It doesn’t matter how young or old you are or whether you’re fit or have a disability. In many clubs, some of the finest bowlers are the very people you might least expect to dominate a match. The older players, and those living with disability, who have learned to read the surface, pace the length, and shape a line with remarkable precision.
So please have a look at Joining TDBC to get more information or you can look at the Fee Structure here. If you’ve decided to join the club and you are new to the game, you should look at the Bowls Glossary, the Etiquette of Bowls, and About Bowls.