THE GAME
Lawn bowling is one of the oldest outdoor games played today. (England’s Southampton Old Bowling Green is dated 1299!) Players roll balls (called bowls), about the size of an orange or up to a grapefruit, across a flat, closely mown green. The aim is to finish as close as possible to a small white target ball, the jack. It is similar to the better-known (in the US) game of bocce. The catch is that bowls aren't perfectly round. Each one is formed to curve slightly as it slows down. Learning to work with that curve (bias) is what makes the game challenging. It looks simple, and is, but it takes real skill. It takes an hour to learn, and a lifetime to master.
MORE DETAIL
Each game is played in “ends” (think innings in baseball). In each end, players take turns delivering their bowls toward the jack. When all the bowls have been played, the side with the closest bowl scores a point, then one more point for each of its bowls that's closer than the other side's closest.
At MacKenzie, we normally play games of 12 ends, with 3 players per team, but it can vary. Teams are always assigned by random draw, so you'll get to play with new members from game to game. Games take about two hours, split between rolling your bowls and rooting for your teammates. Expect moments of drama with the occasional cheer (or groan), and lots of camaraderie.
GETTING STARTED
You don't need to be athletic or bring any equipment to start. (And no, you don't have to wear all white! We're very casual here.) We have Club bowls that you can use whenever you want. All you really need is a pair of flat-soled shoes to protect the green, but a hat, a water bottle, and a rag are normal accessories. People of all ages and abilities play together. Some of our players use devices to pick up the bowls or even deliver them without having to bend.
