Bowls Glossary

Refers to a position on the green which is designated as the furthermost distance on the rink where a jack is placed. If a lead rolls the jack, and it travels past this predetermined mark, the jack will be placed “on the dot” prior to the first bowl being delivered. In some jurisdictions this is known as the 2-metre mark.

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.

Refers to the variation of bowls which is governed by World Bowls and the Crystal Mark rules. Whilst using the term “outdoor” there are many venues where this variation of bowls is played in greens constructed within a covered building. See also indoor bowls carpet bowls.

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.