History

It is hoped that this short history will give you an overview of the sport which is played by all ages, in many, many countries. Perhaps, just perhaps it may whet your appetite and encourage you to seek out your local club, drop in and try this marvellous sport. All clubs would make YOU welcome with open arms. The rules and objects of the game are set by the World Bowls Board, which may be modified by the member countries.
We welcome you to the game of Lawn Bowling.

Facts & Statistics about the game

Lawn Bowls is an ancient sport. The Encyclopaedia Britannica records that bowls has been played in some form since 5,000 BC. However, it was not always regarded as a desirable activity. In the 13th Century, England's King Henry 111 banned bowls because the archers were distracted by the game, and in 1511, Henry V111 discouraged play, regarding bowls as a game associated with gambling.

Certainly, the game was a distraction for Sir Francis Drake. Truth or myth, no one is sure, but it is said that in 1588, Sir Francis Drake insisted on finishing his game of bowls before turning his attention to approaching the Spanish Armada. He is supposed to have lost the game, but won the battle against the Spaniards.

Bowls came to South Africa in 1882 and the first green was laid and a club founded at St Georges Park in Port Elizabeth. The game quickly spread throughout the country. The South African Bowling Association was instituted in 1904 and became the official controlling body for bowls in the country. The South African Women's Bowling Association was formed in 1935 and controlled women's bowls. These two controlling bodies were unified in East London on 25 August 1996 to form BOWLS SOUTH AFRICA which body today controls all Bowls in South Africa.

* modern bowls are made from a plastic compound in black or brown - in earlier years they have been made from stone, wood - including lignum vitae, a very hard wood from the West Indies, and even rubber.

* bowls are made in various weights and sizes.

* Diameter is 117.4/131mm - maximum weight is 1.57Kgs.

* the running surface or crown of the bowl is slightly higher one side to create the "bias", causing the bowl to curve or "draw"

* the jack is the round white or yellow plastic ball at which players aim their bowl

* the jack is 63/64 mm in diameter and weights 225/285 grams

* the bowlers must get as many bowls as possible closer to the jack than the nearest of the opponent's bowls

* the club green is divided into rinks on which separate games are played

* maximum green size is 40m - minimum 37m maximum rink width is 5.8m -minimum 5.5m

* the faster the green, the longer the bowls take to reach the other end

* the speed is determined by the length and density of grass and the preparation in terms of rolling and grooming the grass

* A slow green (heavy) means there is less arc with the biased bowl which doesn't travel as far and therefore takes less time to reach the jack