Wind does not affect every bowl in the same way. Direction, strength, green pace, bias and the bowl's speed all interact, so the most useful adjustment is usually a measured one—not a complete rebuild of the delivery.
Use the trial ends as your baseline
Play both hands and watch the full path, not only the finish. Note whether the wind is steady or gusting, whether it changes near the bank and whether the return direction produces the opposite effect.
Crosswind: expect two different hands
A crosswind commonly makes one hand play wider and the other narrower. The coaching material in Bowls Australia’s club network recommends judging the average effect rather than chasing every gust. Choose the truer hand when possible and adjust the aiming line in small steps.
Headwind: protect the bowl from finishing short
A bowl travelling into the wind may require more delivery weight, especially on a slow surface. Keep the action smooth; forcing the bowl can damage line and timing. If several bowls finish short, make one clear weight correction and observe the result.
Tailwind: let the bowl run
With wind behind the delivery, the bowl may travel farther than expected. Reduce weight gradually and keep enough width for the bias to work. A fast, narrow bowl can miss the turn and finish beyond the useful area.
Gusts: keep the routine stable
Do not rush just because the wind briefly drops. Use the same pre-shot routine, choose a visual aiming point and accept a sensible margin. In very changeable conditions, position bowls with room behind the jack can be more valuable than demanding a perfect front toucher.
Watch every bowl
Your opponent's delivery is free information. Compare its starting line, speed and finish with your own. Buildings, trees and open corners can create local patterns that are not obvious from the mat.
Track what changes
Record the direction, preferred hand and length when conditions shift. WGTS combines digital scorekeeping with camera-assisted measurement on compatible devices. Try WGTS for iPhone or WGTS for Android.
Safety note: follow the controlling body's instructions if wind, debris or other weather makes play unsafe.