The game is known around the world as bowls, lawn bowls and bowling-on-the-green. It is played on a bowling green which may be a minimum of 30 meters (120.5') feet square to a maximum of 40 meters (132.25'). The green is marked off into 8 rinks (each approx. 15') wide meaning 8 games may be played at one time.

COMPETITION in bowls is made up of one, two, three or four players on each team.
Singles - One against one.
Doubles - Two against two.
Triples - Three against three.
Fours - Four against four.

EQUIPMENT consists of the following:
1. A set of four matched bowls - each of which weighs about three pounds.
2. A jack - the small white ball, which is two and a half inches in diameter.
3. A mat - which is 14 by 24 inches
Bowls are purchased by individual players and are their personal property. Jacks and mats are usually furnished by the club. Bowls are not available for rent, but each club usually has sets available for beginners for a limited time. Flat rubber-soled shoes are required and players must furnish their own shoes.

THE OBJECT OF THE GAME is to roll the bowls so that they will come to rest as close as possible to the jack. The side that has the bowl nearest to the jack scores one point for that bowl and an additional point for each bowl closer to the jack than the nearest bowl of the other side.
The following are frequently asked questions and their answers:

WHY DOES THE BOWL CURVE AS IT ROLLS? A bowl curves because of the way that it is made, not because of the way it is delivered by the bowler. The bowl is not uniformly shaped and since it is smaller on one side, it naturally curves in the direction of the smaller side as it loses speed.

HOW LONG DOES A GAME LAST? Baseball has innings. Football has quarters. Hockey has periods. Lawn Bowling has ENDS.

Saxmundham Sports Bowls Club
WHAT IS BOWLS ?