Cookies

We use essential cookies to make our site work. We'd also like to set analytics cookies that help us make improvements by measuring how you use the site. These will be set only if you accept.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, see our cookies page.

Essential Cookies

Essential cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. For example, the selections you make here about which cookies to accept are stored in a cookie.

You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.

Analytics Cookies

We'd like to set Google Analytics cookies to help us improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it. The cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify you.

Third Party Cookies

Third party cookies are ones planted by other websites while using this site. This may occur (for example) where a Twitter or Facebook feed is embedded with a page. Selecting to turn these off will hide such content.

Skip to main content

Why play bowls?

6 Reasons to take up Bowls

1. It’s Sociable

Bowls clubs are sociable places to be and you're sure to meet lots of new people.

A key part of any club is, of course, its clubhouse, and many have bars where you can rest and relax with a cold drink or relaxing cup of coffee after your game, and socialise with other club members.

And, for most clubs, it’s not just about the bowls. A whole host of other social events are arranged by the members for everyone to get involved in.

If you are looking to meet new people, then joining your local bowls club is a fantastic idea.

2. The rules are simple

Next, you need to know the rules. Fortunately, they’re easy to learn. 

You can play singles, pairs or in teams

Bowls is played on grass (the green). A game starts by throwing the jack (a small white ball) down the green. “The person who gets nearest to the jack gets a point and wins what’s called the ‘end’,” explains Matt Wordingham from Bowls England. “It is added up over 18 or 21 ends.”

After each end, play is reversed and the teams bowl towards the other side of the green. Players can try to knock their opponents’ bowls away from the jack or position a bowl to block opposition shots. You can play singles, pairs or in teams. In singles, scoring is a bit different – the first player to reach 21 points is the winner.

The aim is to get the bowl nearest to the Jack The aim is to get the bowl nearest to the Jack

3. It Gets You Out in the Fresh Air

There’s nothing quite like the great outdoors and there’s no better place to spend your summer days than out on the bowling green.

Getting outside into the fresh air is very important as it helps to improve blood pressure and heart rate, due to the increased amount of oxygen in the air.

Fresh air also helps to make you happier – another side effect of the increased oxygen level is that it leads to an increase in the amount of serotonin, the happy hormone, in the bloodstream.

It will also increase the number of white blood cells and help them to function correctly and fight off bacteria and illness.

Enjoying a game of bowls is not only enjoyable, it will make you feel happier and healthier, too!

4. Perfect for All Ages & Levels of Physical Ability

Lawn bowls is a low intensity sport, meaning that people of all ages and levels of physical ability can take part.

Lawn bowls has always had a reputation of appealing to those in the retirement stage of their lives, which is mainly due to its low intensity nature. However, there are people of all ages getting involved with the sport.

There are also many clubs with facilities for those with disabilities to help get them involved with the sport. Disability Bowls England is a charity set up to encourage players of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability. There are regular regional and national competitions across the UK. For further information on Disability Bowls, click.

Bowling is for everyone regardless of age or ability Bowling is for everyone regardless of age or ability

5. It Can Help You to Relax

 

As well as being good for your physical health, lawn bowls is fantastic for your mental health.

Being outside and in the company of other club members can help create a relaxing environment away from the stresses of everyday life.

Lawn bowls is a fantastic hobby to get involved in and is great for your mental health, as it can alleviate depression and anxiety.

It can be a lot of fun, too, and you’ll be sure to look forward to your upcoming bowls matches with great anticipation.

6. It’s Good Exercise

OK, so we’re certainly not claiming bowls to be the most strenuous of sports, but even so, playing lawn bowls burns more calories than you might think.

There is plenty of walking involved and the movements needed to roll bowls require the recruitment of a large number of motor neurones.

This makes it a good form of exercise and, of course, the risk of injury is minimal, too.