New to Bowls
Lawn green bowls is one of the most welcoming, accessible and enjoyable sports you can try. Whether you’re looking for gentle exercise, friendly competition, or a new social circle, bowls offers something for everyone — and getting started is far easier than many people expect.
How to play
At its heart, bowls is simple:
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Players take turns rolling their bowls towards a small white target ball called the *jack*.
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The aim is to finish with your bowls closer to the jack than your opponent’s.
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Games can be played individually or in teams, and formats vary — but the basic idea stays the same.
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Bowls are slightly weighted, so they follow a curved path. Learning how to use that bias is part of the fun.
Most clubs offer relaxed roll‑ups, coaching sessions, and friendly members who are always happy to help newcomers find their feet.
What to wear
You don’t need to invest in specialist kit to try bowls. To get started, you only need:
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Flat‑soled shoes (to protect the green)
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Comfortable clothing — clubs will let you know their dress code, but it’s usually something simple like a white top and dark trousers or shorts
If you decide to play in leagues or competitions, you may eventually want to buy the appropriate club or county colours — but there’s no rush.
Do I need to buy a set of bowls?
Not at all. Most clubs have spare sets you can borrow while you’re learning. This is ideal because:
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You can try different sizes and weights
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You get a feel for what suits your hands and playing style
Experienced bowlers will happily offer guidance when you’re ready to think about buying your own set
Many players don’t purchase bowls until they’ve been playing for a little while.
Find a club near you
There are clubs across Yorkshire — from small village greens to larger town clubs — and most are accepting new bowlers.
The easiest way to find your nearest club is through the Bowls England Play Bowls site. You can search by postcode, see what each club offers, and get in touch directly.
