A Beginner’s Guide to Lawn Bowling
Have you ever thought about trying out lawn bowling? Now is the time! You can have three lessons – FREE! – just mention LB 908.
You’ve probably driven down Park Avenue towards Wilson High School, seen activity in the park across from the golf course, and wondered, “What are they are doing?” Or, you might have noticed people playing lawn bowling and wondered, “What is that like?”
Now, you have the opportunity to find out and experience it first hand with three FREE LESSONS.
Here Is What You Need To Know About Lawn Bowling:
Lawn bowling is played with asymmetrical balls called “bowls.” One of the unique features of lawn bowling is that the bowls are designed to follow a curved path as they roll on the green.
They curve because of the way they are shaped during manufacture (this feature is referred to as “bias”).
As you can see in the photo, one side has a curved shape (the bias side) while the opposite has a flatter shape.
When rolled, the bowl will go straight at first, but will always curve in the direction of the bias as the Bowl loses speed (referred to as “weight”).
Bowls are about the size of a grapefruit and weigh about three pounds. They are made in six different sizes in order to fit comfortably in a player’s hand.
If you can touch your fingers around the bowl, it is the correct size for you.
In order for you to remember which side is which, the bowls are made with a small graphic circle, designating the bias side, and the opposite side has a larger graphic circle.
An elegantly curving bowl is one of the most exciting and satisfying sights for an enthusiastic lawn bowler.
This Is The Way Lawn Bowling Is Played:
The object of the game is to earn points by having more of your team’s bowls closer to the target (a small white ball called a “jack”) than your opponent.
While baseball has “innings,” lawn bowling has “ends.” When all the players of both teams have delivered all of their bowls, it completes the play of one “end.” The game consists of a number of “ends” (typically 12 or 14 ends) depending on what the players agree on prior to playing.
After each player’s bowls are delivered on a given end, the team closest to the jack wins points for every bowl it has closer to the jack than his or her opponent. The team with the most points in the end wins the match.
The only equipment you need is a set of four matched bowls. For beginners, the Long Beach Lawn Bowling Club has a large supply of donated bowls at no cost. Once you become an active, more experienced member, you will want to acquire your own set of bowls. Used sets cost about $50 and new ones are about $400.
The game of “triples” (three bowlers on each team) is played most commonly at the Long Beach Lawn Bowling Club. In triples, each player delivers three bowls per end. Each team consists of three positions: lead (beginners, they go first), the vice skip (more experienced players, will bowl second) and the skip (the team’s captain who is very experienced).
You don’t have to worry about “joining” a team. Every day of play, the club forms teams through a “draw” method. Each person draws a blind colored chip (white for beginners, red for vice, blue for skip) to determine who will be in what team and which rink they will play on.
There Is No Other Sport Like It…
Lawn bowling is a sport for all ages (18 or over) and fitness level, and neither gender has an advantage playing.
It is naturally competitive like other sports and requires strategy and finesse which is not difficult to learn. At the same time, it can be a very social and rewarding sport.
The best part about lawn bowling is that it’s a low-cost, affordable pastime, it encourages people to participate in a low-impact exercise that strengthens the legs, and it improves balance with the plus of the socializing aspect.
There Are Lots Of Opportunities To Play...
The Long Beach Lawn Bowling Club plays in the morning at 10 a.m. every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday evenings under the lights at 6 p.m.
Are You Ready To Get Started With Free Lessons?
The club has certified coaches who conduct training sessions on Friday and Saturday mornings starting at 9:30 a.m. To make an appointment for your first lesson, call Pat Gonzales at (562) 280-4622. If she can’t answer, leave a message with your phone number and Pat will return your call as soon as possible.
Be sure and mention LB908!
A Bit Of Interesting History…
The game has its roots in old England where it has been played since the 13th century. One of the most famous stories indicating the devotion bowlers have to their game is related to Sir Francis Drake and the Spanish Armada.
On July 18, 1588, Drake was involved in a game of bowls at Plymouth Hoe when he was notified that the Spanish Armada was approaching. His immortalized response was “We still have time to finish the match!” Thereafter, the English Navy soundly defeated the Armada.
The sport has been a part of US culture since 1632. It was enjoyed by none other than George Washington, J.D. Rockefeller and Walt Disney, among others who shared a passion for it.
For More Information:
Long Beach Lawn Bowling Club is located at 1109 Federation Dr.
Phone: (562) 296-8072
Website: www.longbeachlbc.wordpress.com
