Rules of the Game
This version of the game was developed in North Staffordshire and Cheshire, and is one of our most popular activities.
We play on a mat which is between 40 and 45 feet in length, and 6 feet wide.
A small white or yellow "Jack" is placed at the far end of the mat, on the centre line. Bowling with one foot on the delivery mat, the aim is to send your bowl along the mat so as to finish as close as possible to the jack.
The key ingredient is the short piece of wood placed half way along the mat. This means that players need to make use of the "bias" built into the bowl that makes it roll in a curve, rather than in a straight line, in order to get round the wood.
Players play in teams, usually of three players per side.Each player plays two shots.
We do play one or two small differences from the official rules, and some of our players are stricter about the rules than others, but our bowlers a a friendly bunch, and play is sociable and light hearted.
There are a few pairs of bowls available to borrow, for people who would like to try the game before buying their own bowls.
We do not enforce any dress rules, though players are required to wear flat shoes on the mat.