Lawn BowlingRules Card

What you need

• A set of biased lawn bowls (one color per player or team)
• A jack (the small target ball, usually white or yellow)
• A flat, level patch of grass or a proper bowling green
• A mat to bowl from
• Optional: a tape measure for settling close ends

Set it up

A full bowling green rink is about 14-19 ft wide and 120 ft long, though backyard players use whatever flat, level grass they have (aim for at least 70-100 ft of length). The jack must be rolled a minimum distance to count as a valid end. The green should be as flat and smooth as possible so the bias does the work, not the bumps.

Scoring

• Only one side scores in each end. That side earns 1 point for every one of its bowls closer to the jack than the opponent's nearest bowl.
• Example: if your two bowls are both closer than any of the other side's, you score 2 points and they score 0.
• Games are commonly played to a target score (often 21 points) or to a set number of ends, depending on the format.
• If the closest opposing bowls are tied after the end is complete, neither side scores for the whole end. Record 0-0 and count it as a completed end.

How to play

1. Roll the jack to start the end. The first player places the mat, then rolls the jack down the green. Once it settles and is centered, it becomes the target for that round of play (called an end).
2. Understand the bias. A bowl's shape creates its curved path; the curve is not caused by an off-center weight. Aim wide and let the bias bring the bowl toward the jack.
3. Take turns delivering bowls. Players alternate rolling their bowls from the mat toward the jack, trying to finish as close as possible. You can also roll to block opponents or knock their bowls (or the jack) out of position.
4. Aim to nestle close to the jack. The goal is to land your bowls nearer the jack than your opponent's nearest bowl. Strategy includes drawing close, guarding your good bowls, and bumping the jack toward your cluster.
5. Finish the end and score. Once every bowl is delivered, measure which bowls are closest to the jack. Only one side scores per end, earning a point for each of its bowls closer than the opponent's nearest bowl.
6. Play the next end the other direction. Pick up the bowls, move the mat, and bowl back the other way down the green. Repeat until someone reaches the target score or you finish the agreed number of ends.