Some general advice for beginners, but not in alphabetical order.
Playing time: Members can play on the green at any time they wish. The normal times for club activities are each afternoon at 2:00 p.m. and each evening at 6:00 p.m. when, given good weather, there is almost always somebody there playing a bounce game or sweep. When possible, members like to start playing at, say, 2:00 p.m., so you will need to arrive earlier than that to give yourself time to change shoes, etc., and to help set up the green.
Official club sweeps are organised on Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. and Fridays at 6:00 p.m. Ties may be played at these times, but only if there are free rinks. The club sweeps have priority.
Shoes : Once you have tried the game and decided that you are going to join the club and play regularly, your only real initial expense will be for a pair of bowling shoes. Trainers are acceptable at Beechgrove for ‘very’ beginners, but bowling shoes are essential, and on many other greens nothing else is permissible.
Bowls : Don’t buy a set of bowls immediately. Instead, experiment with bowls of different sizes and biases, of which the club has a reasonable selection. Many beginners become almost obsessed by the weight of bowls, but you have to accept that all bowls are heavy initially, and the variation in weight is much less important than the variation in size. There are several ‘rules of thumb’ regarding size, e.g. being able to touch both thumbs and both fore-fingers around the bowl, but you should think more about what feels comfortable in your hand, and being able to comfortably put your fore-finger and thumb on the dimples.
Once you have decided what size and bias you think suits you, then look for a second hand set. They will probably cost about £40. Play with them for a season, by which time you will have a better idea of size and bias, and that would be a good time to buy a new set, or another second hand set. You will almost certainly be able to sell the original set for whatever you paid for them.
One important piece of advice. If buying second hand, then check very carefully that none of the bowls is cracked internally (by knocking them together and listening), and that the stamps are legal. See Bowls – sizes and models above.
Develop a good delivery : This is the key to successful bowling. The arm should be more or less straight at the elbow and should swing through a vertical axis, and the bowl should be released very close to the ground. Only this way can you develop the control over length and direction which all top class bowlers have. Watch what other players are doing, and try to copy those who are doing it best. Try to observe where your bowl is first hitting the ground and whether it is doing any damage to the
surface of the green. Damaging the green will not endear you to other club members. ( but especially the green keepers. ) Don’t be afraid to ask someone you can trust to watch your style and comment.
Think about tactics : At the beginning, you will be trying to get every bowl as close to the jack as possible, but there is more to bowling than that. Listen to what experienced bowlers are saying to their partners.
The player on the mat needs information about the head, about his last-played bowl, and needs advice on what he should do with his next bowl. His team-mates at the head should provide this information and advice, and should discuss it between themselves. Two, or three, heads are better than one! If he has been paying attention, he should know whose bowls are whose, and so that is information he should only be given if he specifically asks for it. In almost all situations, he needs to be told:-
➢ How far short or heavy his last bowl was. He can see for himself how wide or narrow it was!
➢ Where you want his next bowl to come to rest. “Just draw a shot,” or “Put a bowl
beside my foot,” or “we need something at the back.” OR
➢ What you want his next bowl to do. “Try and turn this bowl out,” or “Knock the jack
into the ditch,” or “Try to move the jack 6 inches.”
Laws and etiquette Nobody expects a beginner to know all of the laws which govern the game or to understand the nuances of etiquette which are an important feature of the game.
However, you should be aware that they exist and try to develop a knowledge of both. Don’t be frightened to ask, and don’t take offence if something is pointed out to you.
And finally A bowl that is short is seldom of any use, particularly if your opponent is
holding shot. As Pipey Jock Dalgliesh shouted down the green at Beechgrove for many years
– “Shot against. Not up. Unforgiveable.”
And finally – It’s only a game. Enjoy it, and enjoy the company of others who enjoy it !
Junior “try bowls” morning June 2023
a game for all ages!!
