The following guide is to the kit you need to buy if you want to take up the sport of bowls (by which is meant “lawn bowls”). The assumption is that you will join a bowls club (indoor or outdoor) and start playing bowls matches against other clubs.
Clothing to be Bought for Bowls
The most important item, without which you will not be allowed to step on to the bowling green, is a pair of flat-bottomed shoes. The soles must have no heel, and no pattern that can mark the green. The uppers can be brown or white.
In the UK, gentlemen wear full-length trousers and ladies can wear trousers or skirts. Shorts are generally frowned upon! The usual rule is for white trousers/skirts to be worn for inter-club afternoon matches and “greys” for evening matches and other fixtures.
Above the waist, white is the usual rule, with club ties or cravats. However, many clubs now have their own t-shirts which are worn for league competitions and the like. These are usually marked with the member’s name.
Many players like to wear a body-warmer, pullover or cardigan on colder days. These should be predominantly white.
When playing outdoors, a set of waterproofs is essential, as bowls matches are often played in light or moderate rain. Waterproofs, which are white, comprise a top and trousers (or overskirt), the top having large pockets and a hood.
You might want to wear a hat, cap or eyeshade to keep the sun out of your eyes.
Off the green, a dark blue jacket is worn. The club will have its own badge which must be sewn on to the breast pocket.
There are four bowls in a set, although you will normally only use all four if you are playing in singles or pairs matches. It is important that you choose your bowls (which are often referred to as “woods”) carefully, as a wrong choice can make a huge difference to your success as a bowler.
As well as your bowls you will need a bag to carry them in (the bag will also have space for your shoes, waterproofs, etc), and possibly a net bag or carrier which will make it easier for you to carry your bowls to and from the green. Some players use a polish for their bowls to make them run more smoothly
Other Items to Take Onto the Green
A small towel should be part of your kit. This is useful for wiping your bowls before delivery, and also for cleaning off any chalk marks they may acquire. If the ground is damp, you may want to dry your hands. Also, if conditions are very dry, you might want to dampen your towel so that you can moisten your hand or bowl to improve your grip. Some players use “Grippo”, which is an ointment, applies to the hands, that provides better grip.
One player on each side will need to have a measure in their pocket for deciding which bowl is closest to the jack when this is not obvious to the eye. The measure is designed to lock into place so that the distances between the contested bowls can be compared. It will also have a small pair of callipers attached so that very short distances can be measured.
A piece of chalk is needed so that bowls that touch the jack can be marked. Many players user a “puffer” that allows the bowl to be marked without being touched by hand, thus preventing it from falling over.
Just about everything else is provided by the club, namely the mats, jacks, scoreboards, and the green itself.
The most expensive item on your shopping list will probably be your bowls, although second-hand sets are often available from retiring players, etc. Although the list may look formidable, most of the items will last you for many seasons. You should find that the pleasure you get from playing the game is well worth the outlay. If you have ever played golf, you will get a pleasant surprise when you compare the bill for your bowls equipment!
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