Bowls is a relatively simple sport to understand although it does require a certain degree of tactical thinking. 

You are given four bowls a game to get as close to the small white ball that is known as the ‘jack’. 

The game can be played as singles, or as teams in pairs, triples or fours.

Players, whether playing singles or in teams compete to deliver their bowls closest to the jack. Once all bowls have been delivered the player / team whose bowls are closest to the jack scores one shot (point) per bowl.

In Bowls there are different types of delivery that make the bowl turn in different ways.

The draw shot is when a player attempts to roll / deliver the bowl toward the jack without disturbing other bowls. This is done by a bowler initially selecting an aiming point to one side of the jack, and delivering a bowl towards the aiming point. The bowl when delivered with the correct weight will, due to the bias, curl and arrive alongside the jack.

The drive bowl is when a player delivers their bowl, usually at speed, with the purpose to hit either the jack or a specific bowl.

The yard on bowl is when a player delivers the bowl to hit only the jack without going out of play.

If a bowl reaches the ditch – a small gully at the end of the rink – without touching the jack it is out of play