Bowls Glossary

Traditionally and historical, the game of Bowls was played on grass fields or greens, and thus was known as Lawn Bowls. With advances in construction techniques, and the introduction of artificial surfaces, in the evolution of the game it has become known as Bowls.

In a team of 2 or more, the player who delivers his bowl first is known as the lead. The lead has specific duties, including rolling the jack when his team is the first to bowl on a particular end.

Refers to the amount of force required when delivering a bowl to reach the desired target. For a draw bowl, the required force would result in the bowl stopping at a point parallel to the jack.

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.

Refers to a type of natural hardwood material from a tree, used to make a bowl. Prior to the introduction of composite plastic materials, the predominant material for the manufacture of bowls today, lignum vitae were the dominant material used.

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.

After a bowl has been delivered and comes to rest, if it stops within the confines of the rink it is considered live. if a bowl finishes in the ditch, or outside the rink boundary, it is considered a dead bowl. However, if the bowl has touched the jack, it remains a live bowl even if in the ditch, as long as it is within the boundary of the rink.