Bowls glossary

The bowl closest to the jack, often in relation to other bowls surrounding the head, also referred to as the "absolute shot"

Name of an Australian-based bowls manufacturer.

The combined score across the rinks playing for a side.

The direction in which a player aims the bowl at delivery, allowing for its bias and the conditions of the green.

A point along the aiming line that a player focuses on when delivering the bowl.

A manufactured playing surface used instead of natural grass. Also called a synthetic surface.

A bowl beyond the jack, positioned to provide cover if the jack is moved towards the back of the rink.

The ditch at the end of the green which is directly behind a player when they stand on the mat.

For a right-handed player, delivering a bowl to the left-hand side of the rink, with the bias facing the centre line of the rink.

For a left-handed player, delivering a bowl to the right-hand side of the rink, with the bias facing the centre line of the rink.

The area on the outer edge of the green, beyond the ditch.

Players not selected for a particular match, or, informally, spectators watching from the bank. Usage varies between clubs.

Instruction from Skip to bowl longer (don't be short of Jack).

Bentgrass, a fine-textured grass used on some natural-turf bowling greens.

This is the bowl at rest beyond the jack nearest the ditch than any opposition bowl.

The tendency of a bowl to follow a curved path as it slows, produced by its shape rather than an added weight on one side.

An informal call when rolling a bowl to decide who has the choice of opening play: bigs means the side with the larger rings finishes uppermost. Formal play uses a coin toss.

A bowl positioned on the green such that it would stop an opponent’s bowl from reaching a defined point, usually the jack, based on its regular line.

A marker on the bank indicating a rink boundary. See also Rink, Dead Bowl and Re-Spot.

The biased ball used in the game of bowls. The side of the bowl that is biased can be identified by the smaller engraved concentric rings seen, compared to the outer (non-biased) side of the bowl.

A device used to deliver a bowl or jack while standing more upright. In Australia, players do not need a medical certificate or individual state approval to use an approved bowling arm. Equipment requirements and rules in other countries may differ.

Official name of the sport, as defined by World Bowls.

A piece of cloth used by bowlers to clean and/or polish a bowl during a game. They are made of various materials, with the most popular being cotton cloth, or a chamois for wet conditions.

A planned pause in play, such as a meal or refreshment break, subject to the competition's arrangements.

Informal term for a dead end. Competition rules may provide for re-spotting the jack instead of replaying the end.

A piece of equipment used by an umpire or a player, to judge the relative distance between the jack and one or more bowls at the conclusion of an end, which will determine the number of shots held by a player or team.

A distinct form of bowls played on a portable carpet, generally with smaller bowls and its own rules. It is different from full-length indoor bowls and short mat bowls.

The imaginary line running lengthwise through the centre of a rink. The jack is centred on this line after a valid delivery.

Used to mark a toucher promptly at rest; nominate it instead if marking risks movement. Remove old marks before re-delivery. See Nominated Toucher.

Once all bowls have been delivered by players standing at the mat end of the rink, they will move to the other end of the rink.

Following a bowl after delivery. A player doing so must reach the permitted position by the time it stops. Competition restrictions on movement also apply.

A piece of material placed under a bowl to hold it in place on the green. When a measure is called for, and a bowl is leaning on another bowl, it is sometimes necessary to chock the bowl so that one bowl can be removed without changing the position of the other. Materials used include rubber and foam wedges, or short lengths of rope.

A method of holding the bowl in your hand, where the running surface of the bowl sits along the fingers of the hand, with the thumb held at or near the top of the bowl as a balancing mechanism.

An uncommon, derogatory slang term for a novice bowler. It is included for recognition rather than as a recommended way to address a player.

Shorthand term describing the material used to manufacture a bowl. Most modern bowls are made of a hardened composite plastic material. Before composite plastic was used, bowls were made from a hardwood material, usually lignum vitae. Composite can also be used to describe a team in a competition made up of players from several clubs.

The published arrangements for a competition, covering matters such as format, scoring, time limits and permitted variations.

The organisation with immediate control over the conditions of play of any given bowls competition.

A shot intended to change a losing head into a winning one by moving bowls or the jack.

The number of shots received by a player or team at the conclusion of an end.

A bowl that is closer to the jack than an opponent’s nearest bowl is considered a "counter".

A bowl placed where the jack might move, to protect against losing several shots.

A description of the weight required to complete an ideal shot. The objective is to play the bowl such that it gently hits the target and moves it slightly, or has a flow on impact to move a bowl or jack that is touching the target.

A method of holding the bowl in your hand, where the running surface of the bowl sits cradled between the fingers of the hand, and the palm, with the thumb positioned alongside the fingers in a cupping style.

In a team game, when all players at the mat end of the rink have delivered their bowls, they will move to the opposite end of the rink, and the player in charge of the head, usually the skip, crosses over to the mat end to deliver their bowls.

Describes a variation of outdoor bowls, which is played on greens that have an undulating surface, with a peak in the middle. Play also differs as there are no rink boundaries, and the jack also has a bias.

The edition name used for the World Bowls Laws of the Sport of Bowls. Consult the current edition, amendments, domestic regulations and competition conditions.

A bowl no longer in play, for example a non-toucher resting in the ditch or a bowl outside the rink boundaries. A bowl stopping less than 14 metres from the mat line is also dead. See Live Bowl and Toucher.

A bowl that becomes the shot bowl (closest to the jack) without touching any other bowl during its delivery.

An end declared dead under the laws, normally replayed without counting as a completed end. See Burnt End and Re-Spot.

See slow green.

An informal expression for choosing not to deliver the final bowl and accepting the agreed result of the end. See Put It in Your Pocket.

The deliberate underarm release of a bowl or jack by hand or an approved device.

Identification stickers placed on bowls to distinguish a player, team or side. Competition rules govern their use and matching requirements.

Play a bowl with sufficient weight to alter the position of bowls and/or the jack in the head. A request of the skip called for usually when the team is not holding shot or is blocked from playing a preferred shot by bowls in the way of the objective (usually the jack).

The area surrounding a green, usually identifiable as a shallow trench at the edges of the green. Some ditches are a natural surround formed by mounds and trenches of soil, whilst other greens have a manmade ditch comprising wooden formwork, plinth, rubber sheets, and filled with a sand or artificial material.

A live jack resting in the ditch within the rink boundaries.

A rink that runs parallel to the ditch along its length.

To play a bowl with sufficient weight to reach the ditch at the other end of the rink.

A tier of a competition, often containing several sections. Promotion, relegation and finals arrangements depend on the competition.

Expression to confirm if your opponent has one or more bowls closest to the jack. If a marker is providing this information in a singles game, the marker can also indicate this status by holding a clenched fist downwards towards the ground.

Name of an England-based bowls manufacturer.

A controlled shot intended to finish close to the jack or another chosen position. Draw can also mean the schedule of opponents in a competition.

At the conclusion of an end if the closest bowl of each player or team is judged to be the same distance away from the jack, no score is recorded, but the end counts for games that are based on playing a number of ends.

A forceful attacking shot intended to remove bowls, move the jack or break up the head. Accuracy and control matter; it does not require the player's maximum possible force.

A player who belongs to two clubs. Eligibility to represent either club depends on the relevant association and competition rules.

Releasing a bowl so that it drops heavily or bounces on the green, potentially damaging the surface. Coaching or a suitable delivery aid may help a player achieve a smoother delivery.

A direction in which rinks may be laid out for play. Greenkeepers may change the direction of play to manage wear and conditions. It is not restricted to social bowls.

When a bowler delivers a bowl, they can choose to play either a forehand or backhand shot. During play the Skip in charge of the head may advise the player on the mat that they can play "either hand" rather than directing a particular hand to play.

The playing of the jack and all the bowls of all players (or teams) once in a single direction, resulting in either a number of shots for one of the teams, a dead end, or a drawn end. Some forms of the game have a set number of ends played, others play an unlimited number of ends until a particular score is reached or exceeded.

A green on which a bowl travels farther for a given delivery effort than on a slower green. Less delivery weight is needed to reach the same target. See Speed.

A thin-bladed measuring tool used to compare very small gaps between the jack and bowls when a conventional measure cannot fit.

When preparing to deliver a bowl, the player positions their feet and legs, and then locks into this position, completing the delivery of the bowl with movement of the upper body only.

A breach of the required foot position: before delivery, part of at least one foot must be on the mat; at release, part of one foot must be on or above it. The laws specify warnings and penalties.

For a right-handed player, delivering a bowl to the right-hand side of the rink, with the bias facing towards the center line of the rink. For a left-handed player, delivering a bowl to the left-hand side of the rink, with the bias facing towards the center line of the rink.

The traditional singles variation of the game. However, it can be played with a different number of woods, resulting in two wood singles.

A team game where each team consists of four (4) players, a lead, second, third and a skip.

The ditch at the end of the green which is directly in front of a player when they stand on the mat.

Scoring the maximum number of possible shots in an end where every bowl from all players in the one team are closest to the jack than the nearest opposition bowl.

Choose to have the opponent open play after winning the opening coin toss. This leaves your side with the final bowl.

The width or allowance taken for a bowl's curve: taking more grass means aiming wider. Grass also refers to a natural-turf playing surface.

The playing surface containing one or more rinks. In shot instructions, green can also mean the width allowed for the bowl's curve, as in take more green.

Common term for the staff who maintain bowling greens.

Refers to the way a player holds the bowl in preparation for delivery. Two common grips are the "claw grip" and the "cradle grip". A bowl that is manufactured with an inverted ridge or dimple around the outer edges of the side of the bowl is also referred to as a grip or "gripped" bowl.

The direction that a bowl is to be delivered in.

A scoring adjustment used in some competitions to balance players of different abilities. For example, in a game to 21 shots, a player starting at +5 needs 16 more shots, while one starting at -5 needs 26.

The jack and all live bowls that have come to rest within the boundaries of the rink during an end.

A delivery with more weight than needed for the intended target. Heavy can also describe a bowl's physical weight category, while a heavy green means a slow green.

The name of an Australian-based bowls manufacturer.

Holding shot means currently having the closest bowl to the jack. A bowl holding its line is continuing straighter than expected before turning.

A display recording club or association achievements, such as championship winners, representative honours and office holders.

A pronounced turn in a bowl's path as it slows near the end of its run. The amount of turn depends on the bowl, delivery and playing conditions.

Bowls played inside a building. Full-length indoor bowls uses a rink and bowls similar to outdoor flat-green bowls. Carpet bowls and short mat bowls are separate indoor disciplines with their own equipment and rules.

On one side of a bowl, there are one or 2 small concentric circles, indicating that this is the biased side, or the side towards which the bowl will turn once delivered out of the hand.

The Jack is the small white or yellow unbiased ball that is the target for the game.

If a bowl is jack high it means it has reached a position whereby its nearest part is laterally aligned with the Jack. Effectively it means the bowl and jack are level.

Choose to place the mat and deliver the jack and first bowl after winning the opening coin toss.

Informal term for causing the jack to become dead during play. See Burnt End and Re-Spot.

A bowl that glances either the Jack or another bowl, resulting in a slight movement of the jack or bowl involved.

An informal name for the jack. In flat-green bowls it is usually white or yellow and unbiased; crown green bowls uses a biased jack.

In a competition game, the winner progresses to the next round, however the loser is eliminated, thus being "knocked out" of, the competition.

Another name for lawn bowls. The sport is played on natural grass and synthetic greens.

The player who bowls first in a team. When their team opens an end, the lead normally places the mat and delivers the jack.

The distance from the mat to the jack or another target, or the distance a delivered bowl travels. Delivery weight is the effort used to achieve the required length.

A piece of equipment, usually made of metal, which enables a player to pick up a bowl from the green without the need to bend down. Often used by players with an injury or disability which prevents them from bending sufficient to reach the ground.

A dense hardwood traditionally used to make bowls before modern composite materials became common. The name survives in the informal term wood for a bowl.

Is the directional arc that the bowl travels along from the point of delivery to the point it stops. For a draw bowl, the player will identify an aiming point when letting go of the bowl, such that it will travel along a pathway to end up as close as possible to his target, usually the jack. The line of the bowl will vary depending on the prevailing conditions of the green (heavy, fast), the bias of the bowl, and the desired finishing position.

A bowl still in play under the laws. A toucher may remain live in the ditch within the rink boundaries.

A person responsible for a team's or side's administration, such as team lists, rink allocations and submitting results. Duties depend on the competition; scorecard responsibilities are assigned separately by the applicable rules.

Is the target or object that bowls are aimed at. In bowls the mark is the jack (a.k.a. kitty).

In a game of singles, a non-playing bowler will assist the players by aligning the jack on the centre line after it has been rolled, answer questions asked by the players about the state of play, chalk bowls that become touchers, and keep the scorecard and scoreboard up to date during a game.

A rectangular piece of material, which designates the point from which bowls must be delivered for a particular end.

Placing the mat nearer the rear ditch, within the permitted limits.

Moving the mat farther along the rink before an end starts, changing the delivery position and available playing length.

A bowl that sits next to or near an opposition bowl in the head.

The longest legal jack length available with the mat in its chosen position. Moving the mat changes the available length; see On the Dot.

An instrument used to compare distances between the jack and bowls, or the act of checking those distances to agree the score. Different measuring tools suit different gaps.

The shortest permitted distance for a delivered jack, measured from the mat line to its nearest point: normally 23 metres internationally and 21 metres under Australian domestic regulations. This is different from the minimum distance for a live bowl.

An umpire's instrument used to check whether a bowl or jack is inside a rink boundary, often with a boundary scope.

Refers to plain or ordinary clothes, especially when worn by one who normally wears a
uniform.

A delivery aimed with too little width for the bowl's bias, so that it turns across the intended line before reaching the target.

If at the completion of the end, a measure for the shot determines that both teams (or players) have one bowl of equal distance from the jack (or both have a bowl touching the jack), no score is recorded. For games that are based on a number of ends, the end still counts in the total number of ends to be played.

A toucher identified verbally when marking it with chalk could cause it to fall or move.

A direction in which rinks may be laid out for play. The direction used depends on the green and competition arrangements; greenkeepers may alternate directions to manage wear.

A relatively new bowler. Eligibility for a novice competition is defined by its organiser and may depend on years of affiliation, experience or previous results.

Placing the jack at the designated two-metre mark near the front ditch. See Spot the Jack.

Refers to the side of the rink that has the clearest path for a draw shot. See also forehand and backhand.

When a club holds its first event for the year or season. Often a club will hold a formal ceremony on this day, with the club champion and a local community representative, such as the mayor, councillor, or politician, invited to officially open the greens.

Flat-green bowls played outdoors on natural grass or a synthetic surface. Related full-length indoor bowls is played under cover; carpet bowls and short mat bowls are separate disciplines.

On one side of a bowl, there are one or 2 large concentric circles, indicating that this is the non-biased side, or the side away from which the bowl will turn once delivered out of the hand.

See speed

A team game where each team consists of two (2) players, a lead and a skip.

See boundary peg.

An organised interclub competition, commonly played by sides made up of several teams. Formats, divisions and eligibility are set by the organising association.

The vertical trim in a ditch, usually constructed of wood or concrete, and often has a covering of carpet or rubber to dampen the impact of bowls when they travel off the green into the ditch.

A product applied to clean, condition or improve the grip of a bowl. Only products permitted by the applicable equipment rules should be used.

A bowl played to a useful tactical position rather than directly trying to become the closest bowl.

The right of the player or team whose turn it is to play to use the rink without interference. It passes when the delivered bowl stops, allowing time to mark a toucher.

An unscored end used for practice or to get a feel for conditions. See Trial End for the formal warm-up before a game.

Pushing up one of your team's bowls to a better position.

A scoring format that awards different points according to how close bowls finish to the jack, such as four points for closest, then three, two and one. The event's rules set the scoring system.

An informal instruction to leave the final bowl unplayed when delivering it could worsen the result. The score must still be agreed.

A bowl played with more weight than needed, finishing beyond its intended target. A quick green is a fast green; see Fast Green.

An informal term for playing with extra weight to disturb the head. It is sometimes used critically; see Running Shot and Drive.

Place a dead jack at the position prescribed by the competition rules and continue the end.

A bowl that remains in direct physical contact with the jack after being delivered.

Following a bowl after delivery down the green, often with visible expressions of hope, intent, or exasperation. It is considered poor etiquette to "ride" an opposition players bowl.

The engraved rings on the sides of a bowl. The smaller-ring side normally identifies the bias. Ring-shaped team identification stickers are called discs; see Discs, Inner Ring and Outer Ring.

(Playing area) the portion of the green, which is in play for a particular game, usually marked with boundary pegs at either end of the green. (Team) in team-based competitions, a group of players on the same team playing together as a unit can be described as "a rink".

A fours game with four players per team: lead, second, third and skip, normally using two bowls each.

Informal practice, or an unscored warm-up before play. See Trial End for the formal pre-game warm-up.

At the start of an end, the player in possession of the mat first rolls the jack along the rink or green to a preferred length, before delivering a bowl.

A shot played with extra weight to move a bowl or the jack, with less curve than a draw.

A custom designed instrument, based on a telescope, used by Umpires to determine if a jack or bowl is within the boundary (see boundary peg) of the rink during play. Often used in conjunction with a mirror when making judgements from one end of the rink to the other.

The player after the lead in triples or fours. In Australian domestic fours, the second has scorecard duties; in triples and pairs, those duties belong to the skip.

A group within a competition. A division may contain several sections; qualification and finals arrangements depend on the event.

A group stage in which players or teams meet others in their section. The competition rules determine rankings, tie-breaks and who advances.

A match divided into sets of ends. Set length, tie-breaks and scoring follow the competition's published format.

Describes the result of a bowl delivered such that it touches the jack or another bowl without changing its current position.

A bowl that stops before its intended target. A short jack is a delivered jack that has not reached the required minimum length; see Minimum Length.

A point scored in an end; the bowl currently nearest the jack, as in holding shot; or a type of delivery, such as a draw shot.

Shots scored minus shots conceded; sometimes used to separate teams in competition standings.

A group of teams or singles players whose combined results count towards a match. The number of players and rinks depends on the competition.

A game played between two players.

The player who directs a team in pairs, triples or fours and normally bowls last. The skip plans tactics and works with the opposing skip or umpire to resolve questions about play.

A green on which a bowl travels a shorter distance for a given delivery effort than on a faster green. More delivery weight is needed to reach the same target.

An informal call when rolling a bowl to decide who has the choice of opening play: smalls means the side with the smaller rings finishes uppermost. See Bigs.

The pace of the green, commonly expressed as the time a bowl takes to stop over a standard 27-metre run. A higher time indicates a faster green because the bowl takes longer to slow down. See Timing the Green.

A one-bowl game, often used for fundraising, in which players around the green deliver simultaneously towards a central jack or target. The closest bowl wins.

Centre a validly delivered jack at the two-metre mark when required. This differs from re-spotting during play.

Chalk in an aerosol used to mark touchers. The same marking and nomination rules apply as for ordinary chalk; see Chalk.

The position a player adopts in preparation for delivering the bowl. Some players adopt a fixed stance, where legs and feet are moved into position and then "locked", and the delivery is completed using upper body movement, whereas others will position their feet, then an action involving upper and lower body elements is commenced.

See artificial.

A game, designed to be played on a billiard/pool table, with miniaturised bowls, jack, and delivery ramp.

A social game in which players enter their name tabs or discs into a draw to form teams. Arrangements and dress requirements vary by club.

If the resting place of a bowl is too wide, or particularly too narrow, to that intended, the director of the head may ask to "make sure you take your green", meaning adjust your line compared to your last bowl.

A custom-designed tape measure used to judge the distance between the jack and one or more bowls at the conclusion of an end, which will determine the number of shots held by a player or team. A tape is used when a player’s measure is not long enough to reach the bowls in question. A longer tape is also used to measure if the jack has been delivered past the minimum length required.

The name of a Scotland-based bowls manufacturer.

A service offered by bowls manufacturers to ensure bowls still meet manufacturer and World Bowls Ltd guidelines for the amount of bias that should be exhibited by the bowls. Some associations mandate bowls must be re-tested at a predetermined interval of years. In associations where testing is mandated, bowls that do not have a stamp indicating their status can be banned from use in competitions within that association.

A table used to check that a bowl or set of bowls conform to the bias requirements of the governing body of the sport, World Bowls. Manufacturers of bowls have testing tables, used both in the manufacturing process, and as a testing service to bowlers.

In a team of 4, the player who delivers his bowl after the lead and second have delivered their bowls is known as the third. The third has specific duties, including directing the head when it is the turn of the skip to deliver their bowls.

Describes the result of a bowl delivered such that it moves the jack a slight distance from its current position.

Additional play used to decide a tied match when its rules require a winner. The event's format determines the procedure.

An end with no scoring bowl, including when the opponents' nearest bowls are equally distant from the jack. See No Score.

An informal name used for fine couch or Bermuda-type turf on bowling greens. Tifdwarf is one cultivar used for this purpose; it is not a name for every such grass.

A device that releases a ball consistently onto the green. Its travel distance is converted using a calibration table to estimate the green's pace in seconds.

Checking the pace of a green by timing bowls over a standard distance, commonly 27 metres, or by using a calibrated ramp. Several readings help account for differences across the surface.

A coin toss used to decide who chooses the opening play. Winning the toss gives a choice of who delivers first.

A bowl that touches the jack during its original course, or falls onto it within the permitted period after stopping. Contact with a jack already in the ditch does not create a toucher. Touchers must be marked or nominated.

Playing a bowl so that it moves the jack from its current position to a position further sideways or backwards along the rink.

An unscored pre-game warm-up to assess the green. Availability and procedure follow the laws and competition conditions.

A team game where each team consists of three (3) players, a lead, second and skip

The appointed official who resolves questions about play. Law-interpretation decisions may be appealed to the Controlling Body.

Refers to a bowl or jack that has no bias. In most forms of the sport, the jack does not have a bias, and some indoor versions of the sport also have bowls with no bias. Crown green Bowls have both a biased jack and bowl.

Expression to confirm if you or your team have one or more bowls closest to the jack. If a marker is providing this information in a singles game, the marker can also indicate this status by holding a clenched fist upwards towards the sky.

Where a player or team is unable to contest a pre-arranged game, either through non arrival, late arrival, or not having sufficient players to constitute a team, a win is awarded to the opposition. Rules governing walkovers are usually defined by the competition, and vary across county, state, national, and international competitions.

See chock

The physical weight of a bowl, or the delivery effort used to make it travel the required distance.

When a bowl is deflected during its progress after delivery. In most cases, this will be from contacting a bowl or jack. After the "wick", the direction of the bowl is altered away from its regular arc implied by the bias.

(Bowl) if a bowl is delivered and finishes to the outer side of the intended target, it is said to have been a "wide bowl". (Hand) a comparative assessment between the two sides of a bowl rink, either side of the bowl center line. If due to prevailing weather or green conditions (usually wind) a bowler must aim their bowl further away from the target (jack, bowl or other position on the green), on a particular side of the rink, it is known as the "wide hand".

Alternative name for a bowl derived from the fact that bowls were once made using a dense hardwood, Lignum Vitae.

A bowl delivered where the biased side of the bowl has been placed opposite to the desired position for a given delivery. If a right-handed player plays a forehand delivery but has the biased side of the bowl on the right, the bowls bias will take an arc away from the intended target, and in most cases, outside the rink boundary. As well as becoming a dead bowl, the person delivering the bowl is sometimes subjected to gentle "ridicule". Clubs may also have a "house rule" with a penalty for a witnessed "wrong bias" such as a fine into a charity jar or buying a drink for your opponents.

Extra heavy: a manufacturer's weight category for a bowl of a particular size. Available categories vary by make and model. See Weight.

Deliver the bowl with sufficient weight to finish 1 yard past the objective (usually the jack, or another bowl within the rink)