The Game of Crown Green Bowls
A crown green is a green which is uneven or convex, containing one or more humps (called a ‘crown’). There are no set rinks, and each end can be played in any direction on the green.
Flat green is played on a green which is completely flat. Matches are played within set lanes (called ‘rinks’).
Due to the crown green that games are played on crown green bowlers would argue that there is far more variation to the game than flat green. It is not dissimilar to golfers putting on a golf green.
Difference between Crown Green and Flat Green
Basics of the game..
Like boules on the beach or a game of skittles, it’ll take you no time to figure out the basic rules of the game.
Crown green bowls is a sport played outdoors on a grass pitch (called a ‘green), where a biased ball (called a ‘bowl’) is rolled to a stationary object ball (called the ‘jack’), with the aim being to get closer to the jack than the opposition.
A game involves two individuals who will each take turns at rolling their bowls. After all bowls have been delivered, the individual with the closest bowl to the jack wins that end.
If an individual has one bowl closer to the jack than their opponent, then they will score one point; if they have two bowls closer to the jack that their opponent, then they will score two points, and so on.
Each game is split into individual ends. After playing all the bowls in one and agreeing the score. The winner of the previous end will send the jack for the next end.
A game is played until one player reaches 21 points when they have won the game.
In a team match the teams are typically made up of 8, 10 or 12 players. The captains draw a playing order and one player from each team plays an opposition player.
Each individual game is played to 21 and the winner wins a point for their team. The total aggregate scores for the team are counted up and the team winning the aggregate scores will also receive points for winning the match.
A game of bowls can take 45 minutes, a team match 2 hours so it can take up far less of your time than a round of golf or other hobbies.
It is akin to the Ryder cup in golf where you are playing both for yourself but also the team.
There are competitions either within individual clubs or for members of any clubs to enter where you are competing for yourself.
Clothing
Crown green bowls has always been more relaxed in relation to dress code. For newcomers playing social bowls, the dress code is usually relaxed and whatever makes you feel comfortable. A t-shirt or polo shirt, together with tracksuit bottoms, shorts or jeans would be our suggestion.
If you start playing more competitively and go on to represent your club, it is likely you will be asked to buy some club kit (generally a polo shirt) so you look part of the team.
To help keep the playing surface in good condition, it’s important to wear a pair of flat-soled shoes. A pair of trainers usually does the trick.
In some team finals and league competition's the players will be asked to wear black or grey trousers.
Bowls Equipment
Most clubs will have bowls available for newcomers to use free of charge. Once you have decided to take up the game, you may wish to invest in a set of bowls.
Bowls come in sets of two, you can choose different sizes and weights depending on your hand size and physique, and even pick your favourite colour!
You can pick up a suitable set for under £50 second hand, or from around £90 - £150 if you splash out on a new set – that’s less than the price of a decent golf club! Sets can last a lifetime and so it works out very reasonably in the long run.