Short Mat bowls has a strong following in both the U.K. and Australia. It is played on a 45ft x 6ft carpet. With similar bowls to ourdoor lawnd bowls.
Bias Carpet bowls. This version of the game is played on a 30ft x 6ft capet and the bowlers use biased bowls which are only 3 7/8 inch in diameter (UK version) or 4 inch (Australian version)
Non Bias carpet bowls. Played on a 24ft long by 3ft wide carpet. Sometimes know as Scottish Carpet bowls because of its strong links to Scotland the game is played in other areas of the UK.
Lawn Bowls, also known as Flat Green, is a World Sport. It is featured in the Commonwealth and there are now over 35 Countries World wide. Picture copyright Bowls International
Indoor Bowls is basically the outdoor game brought indoors. Has a strong following in the UK and a World Indoor Competition.
Picture copyright Bowls International
Crown green Bowls is played mainly in the North West & East of England plus North Wales & I.O.M. As the name implies the green is not flat also the jack is a mini version of the bowls.
Table Bowls played in the Uk on a full size Billiard table. There are two versions in the UK. In Australia it is played on a purpose made table.

The Sport of Bowls

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The aim of this site is to provide information on the great sport of bowls, in all its disciplines. From the well known Lawn (Flat) Green to the lesser known such as table bowls. Along with articles which we hope will be informative and enlightening to some!

Basic History of Bowls

Evidence exists of the ancient Egyptians playing a form of bowls over 7000 years ago, when the object of the game was 'hit' the target. In the 13th Century the game was recorded as one of delicate skill, the object being to get the bowl as close as possible to the target.

Even though the Southampton Bowls Club is reputed to be the oldest in the World, coming into regular use in 1299. Chesterfield Bowling Club claims a green dating from 1294.

Intent on the bowmen of England having their archery practice Edward III banned the playing of bowls in the early 14th Century.

That famous game of Bowls

On 19th July, 1588 Sir Francis Drake, who was playing bowls at Plymouth Hoe when the Armada fleet was spotted, refused to leave the bowls lawn until his game was complete.

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