• The lawn bowls season operates throughout the Australian summer and most clubs with synthetic greens are open all year round.

• To begin with, it will cost you nothing to try the game at your local bowls club. Clubs have bowls that you can use and all they ask is that you wear a pair of shoes with flat soles and no ripples - this will protect the greens. Shoes may be borrowed from the club.

• Clubs will give you free coaching to introduce you to the game. All you need to do is ask!

• Lawn Bowls is one of the most inexpensive sports around:

  • Tuesday or Saturday competitions usually carry a green fee of around $4.

  • Night Pennant, Social Games and Tournaments are available most other days at a similar cost.

  • Once you have become a member of a club, you can play in social and invitation events at other clubs. At this stage you would require your own set of bowls and, if participating in pennant/competitions, bowls attire. These can be purchased either new or second hand.

• Come down to your nearest bowling club where you will be made most welcome!

If you wish to find out more information, contact the Lakes Entrance Bowls Club.

• The object of the game is for each player to deliver their bowls as close to the jack as possible. The jack is a small white ball which is rolled into place at the start of each end.

• All bowls have inbuilt bias which enables each player to roll the bowl in a 'curve' towards the other end.

• Depending on the type of bowl used and the skill of the bowler, the curve can be varied so as to allow your bowl to finish in a better position than your opponent. Alternatively you may deliver your bowl to dislodge or take the place of an opposing bowl.

• An allocated number of bowls is used at a time (i.e. 1, 2, 3 or 4), depending on the type of game being played. Each rotation of bowlers is known as an 'end'.

• If after all the bowls have been delivered, you or your team has the closest bowl or bowls to the jack, then you score that number of shots. If however, your opponent finishes the end in that position, then the score is against you.

• The winner is the player or team who has accumulated the greatest number of shots over an allocated number of ends.

• The game is played between the boundary pegs (a delivered bowl can travel outside the boundaries of the rink but it must rest within the boundaries of the rink).

• The bowling green is a flat area of either natural grass or synthetic fibre (an imitation of grass). The maximum length is 40 metres with a minimum of 31 metres.

• If there is more than one green located at a club, they are numbered 1, 2, 3 and so on.

• The green can be divided into a number of playing rinks which have a maximum width of 5.8 metres and a minimum width of 4.3 metres. Each of these rinks is numbered 1, 2, 3 and so on, depending on how many are in use. Rinks are defined by boundary pegs at each end of the green. A scoreboard is located at each rink.

• At the end of each rink is a 'ditch'. At the mat end is the 'rear ditch' and at the opposite end is the 'front ditch'.

• The 'bank' is the vertical wall of the outer edge of the ditch above the green surface.

• The 'plinth' is the edge of the grass which adjoins the ditch.

• Corner flags act as wind indicators at green level.

• After the mat has been laid on the green, the jack is delivered toward the other end. The jack is perfectly round, much smaller than a bowl and is yellow or white.

• Lawn bowls is a fun, outdoor game of skill. It is a sport which is enjoyed by people of all ages!

• In Victoria, the age of bowlers range from people in their teens to their nineties! The Victorian State Team ranges in age from 18 to 46.

• The sport caters for all levels of skill and intensity of involvement. Many people with disabilities are also catered for.

• There are games and competitions organised for Under 18, 25, and 35, as well as games for the over 60.

• Bowls club membership ensures a welcome not only at any bowls club in Victoria but all States throughout Australia, together with the 34 overseas countries where bowls is played.

• You can take part in lawn bowls with friends and other members of your family, at any of the metropolitan and country clubs. There are over 540 bowling clubs throughout Victoria and are open nearly every day of the week. So head out to your nearest club and have a try!

What a great way to spend time with your friends and family!

All text from Royal Victorian Bowls Association

Art Work by Pam Colgate of Creswick Bowling Club Inc.