Set the target
The jack is delivered along the rink, then centred after a valid delivery. It is the small target players aim towards.
A beginner's guide
Rules of lawn bowls, made simple
Get comfortable with flat-green lawn bowls: the aim, the flow of an end and how scoring works. For a competition, always check the current official laws and that event's conditions of play.
01
How an end works
An end is one round of play in one direction.
Take turns
Opponents alternate underarm deliveries from the mat, trying to finish closer to the jack. Team roles determine the order of play.
Agree the score
When play for the end is finished and the bowls have stopped, the sides agree which bowls count before moving them.
02
Who scores?
One side scores in most ends; a tied end scores no shots.
Count the scoring bowls
The side with the closest bowl scores one shot for each of its bowls nearer than the opponent's nearest bowl. If it is too close to tell, players measure rather than guess.
A match may be played to a target score, over a set number of ends, in sets or with a time limit. The event's format determines the winner and any tie-break.
03
When you play a competition
The beginner summary is a starting point, not a substitute for the laws.
Check the event details
Team size, number of bowls, ends, time limits and tie procedures can vary by event.
Ask about a close call
Touchers, bowls in the ditch, a dead jack and interrupted ends have specific laws. A singles marker assists with play; ask the umpire for a ruling.
Know the local documents
National domestic regulations and competition conditions of play can add detail to the World Bowls laws.
Source: World Bowls Laws of the Sport, including the current edition and revisions. Check your national authority and event organiser for local regulations.
Keep learning
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