Bowls & Bowling | Sports & Leisure Classifieds

The game of bowls has increased steadily in popularity over the last decade or so, and no longer carries the tag of "an old man's game" that it once had. However, a brand new set of four bowls can cost well in excess of �100. It is suggested that, before contemplating such an outlay, the novice bowler should experiment with different weights, makes and sizes, borrowed from friends.

BUYING BOWLS AND BOWLING EQUIPMENT

BOWLS
The size of bowl is the primary consideration. The average size for men is 4 / 5 and 2 / 3 for women. In order to find your approximate size, try wrapping both hands around the running surface of the bowl. With thumbs touching, middle fingers should just touch on a bowl of the correct size. The "correct" bowl is one that is comfortable to both hold and deliver, without straining wrist or fingers. The consensus amongst experienced bowlers is that a bowl with a grip is most suitable for outdoor use. The grip helps with delivery of the bowl in wet or cold conditions. There are many types of grips, consisting of dimples, pimples or grooves. It is a good idea to experiment with different grips to determine a preference. For indoor bowling, the cold / wet considerations do not apply, so whether to use a "gripped" or plain bowl is a matter of personal preference. Second in importance is the weight of the bowl, which ranges from medium to extra heavy. Experts are of the opinion that medium weight is best for outdoors and a heavier bowl is best for indoors. However, for players with small hands, using a very small bowl (size 0 or 1) a heavy bowl will hold its line better than a lighter one. For indoor play, a heavy bowl can make adjustment of delivery length easier. Coloured bowls, as usually seen in professional tournament play, are generally about �40 per set more expensive than black or brown.

The novice bowler should seek to purchase a set of second-hand bowls, in good condition, with no major scrapes or gouges and preferably no more than five years old. Such bowls should perform as well as a new set, but at a fraction of the cost. If deemed unsuitable, the resale value should not suffer much. A good set of second-hand bowls can last ten years, so it pays to buy wisely. A bowl's age can be determined by the stamp on it. This is a ten-year stamp, i.e. if the stamp shows "07" the bowl was manufactured in 1997, etc. Expert advice suggests that purchasing bowls with a stamp prior to "01" is unwise.

The make of bowl is unimportant, as all manufacturers produce quality bowls, which must conform to World Bowls Regulations. The brand name is of more importance as this indicates the "drawing line" (e.g. narrow, medium, wide) that a particular bowl will take. It also indicates whether the bowl is designed for outdoor use on grass or on indoor carpets. An outdoor bowl has a wider bias than a bowl designed for indoor use. As a result, an outdoor bowl will be unsuitable for indoor use, as it will swing too much and be impossible to control effectively.

There are many different types of bowls available, in eight sizes (00 to 6) and four weights ( medium, medium heavy, heavy, extra heavy), with at least six different types of grips or plain. The number of products on offer can be bewildering to the novice player. However, club bowlers are generally a friendly bunch, who will assist new players in choosing a suitable set of bowls. Most club bowls is played as a pairs game. As a new player, it is probably better to play first of your pair, "drawing" your bowl as close as possible to the jack. For this reason, a narrow / medium drawing bowl is probably the most suitable to start. A wider drawing bowl is an advantage to the second player, who often has to draw around short bowls to reach the jack.

BOWLS EQUIPMENT
If you find you have an affinity for the game and wish to take it up at a competitive level, there may be several additional items that you may wish to acquire:

Bowls Shoes
Footwear for bowls must have completely flat soles (i.e. heel-less) to avoid damage to the green.

"Whites"
The majority of matches are played in "whites", a white top, with white trousers for men and a white skirt for ladies.

Waterproofs
A significant number of bowls matches are played in the rain! Waterproof clothing should also be white for play in matches. This is sometimes difficult to obtain and can be expensive. "Breathable" fabrics, which allow easy evaporation of moisture are recommended.

As your bowls career progresses, there are several other "desirables," including:

1. Bag: for carrying bowls, shoes, waterproofs and other accessories.
2. Polish: some players like to polish their bowls so that they will run better.
3. Measure: for deciding "close calls."
4. Towel: for cleaning your bowls