Lawn bowls is easy to begin: roll your bowls closer to a small target ball, called the jack, than your opponent. The challenge—and the fun—comes from the bowl’s curved path.
This beginner’s guide explains how to play lawn bowls without burying your first game under competition detail. Your local club will help with house rules and equipment, while the current World Bowls Laws remain the authority for formal play.
What you need to play lawn bowls
Bowls: biased balls designed to curve as they slow.
Jack: the smaller white or yellow target ball.
Mat: the starting point for each delivery.
Flat-soled shoes: footwear that protects the green.
A measure: used when the closest bowl is not obvious.
Most clubs lend bowls to newcomers, so you rarely need to buy equipment before your first session. Comfortable clothes and suitable shoes are usually enough for a social introduction.
How an end works
A player places the mat and delivers the jack.
The jack is centred on the rink.
Opponents take turns delivering their bowls.
When every bowl has been played, the nearest bowls are identified.
The score is recorded, then play continues in the opposite direction.
That round is called an end. A match contains several ends or uses a target score, depending on the format and conditions of play.
Why lawn bowls curve
A lawn bowl is not designed to travel straight. Its bias makes it arc towards the side marked by the smaller emblem. Turn the bowl one way for a forehand line and the other for a backhand line. Both routes can reach the same target, but obstacles and the pace of the green may make one safer.
A simple first delivery
Choose the forehand or backhand and picture a line wider than the jack.
Stand balanced on the mat with the bowl held comfortably.
Step forward as the bowling arm swings back and then through.
Release the bowl smoothly close to the surface.
Keep the hand moving towards the chosen line.
Comfort and repeatability matter more than copying somebody else’s posture. Ask a qualified club coach to help you find a delivery that suits your balance and mobility.
How scoring works
Only one player or team scores on an end. They receive one shot for every bowl closer to the jack than the opponent’s nearest bowl. If your side has the closest two bowls and the opponent has the third closest, your side scores two.
Your first-session checklist
Arrive a little early and tell the club you are new.
Borrow two or three bowl sizes before choosing one.
Focus on a smooth roll rather than the final score.
Stand still and stay clear while another player delivers.
Ask questions—every experienced bowler had a first end.
The quickest way to understand lawn bowls is to play a few ends. Bowls New Zealand’s beginner overview makes the same point: clubs guide first-time players through the basics and often provide the necessary equipment.
Get the bowl rolling smoothly, watch where it finishes, and make one small adjustment at a time.