Buying your own set of lawn bowls comes down to three choices: the size that fits your hand, the weight, and the bias, which decides how much the bowl curves on its way to the jack. Size matters most. A bowl that is too big is hard to control, and one that is too small tends to wobble out of the hand.
You do not need to buy straight away. Most clubs in Glasgow and across Scotland keep sets of bowls for beginners and visitors, and many park greens lend them too. Play a few sessions with borrowed bowls of different sizes, then buy once you know what feels right.
When you do buy, a set means four bowls of the same size, weight and model. Singles players use all four, while pairs, triples and fours games use fewer bowls per player, but a full set keeps your options open.
Finding the right size
Lawn bowls are sized by diameter. Most makers run from size 00 to size 5, and some go higher. As an example, the Drakes Pride Professional measures 116 mm at size 00, 121 mm at size 1, 124 mm at size 3 and 127 mm at size 5. Since 2018 World Bowls has also allowed smaller approved bowls of 114 mm (size 000) and 112 mm (size 0000), which suit players with small hands and many juniors.
| Size | Typical diameter | Often suits |
|---|---|---|
| 00 | about 116 mm | Small hands, many juniors |
| 0 | about 118 mm | Small hands |
| 1 | about 121 mm | Many women |
| 2 | about 122.5 mm | Many women, smaller-handed men |
| 3 | about 124 mm | Many men |
| 4 | about 125.5 mm | Many men |
| 5 | about 127 mm | Large hands |
Measurements differ slightly from one maker and model to another, so treat the table as a starting point and check the listed size on any bowl in the bowls and balls range.
The finger and thumb test
The simplest check is the one most coaches use. Hold the bowl in your delivery hand with the running surface between your fingers, then bring your middle finger and thumb together over the top.
- Tips just touch or nearly touch: a good fit.
- Fingers overlap a lot: the bowl is probably too small.
- A wide gap remains: the bowl is probably too big.
Then swing the bowl a few times as if delivering it. It should feel secure without gripping hard. If you have to squeeze, go down a size. Try the test with all four bowls, because a size that only works when you are concentrating will let you down late in a long game.
Medium or heavy weight
Each size usually comes in two weights, called standard or medium, and heavy. Medium is the normal choice and the right one for nearly every beginner. Heavy bowls hold their line slightly better in wind and on heavy, slow outdoor greens and are harder to knock out of position, but they are more tiring to deliver over a full afternoon. If you are unsure, buy medium.
Crown green bowls, played mostly in the north of England and Wales, are weighed differently, often around 2 lb 4 oz to 2 lb 10 oz. Scottish clubs play flat green, so make sure you are buying flat green lawn bowls rather than crown green woods.
Bias: how much the bowl curves
Every lawn bowl is shaped so that it runs on an off-centre surface and falls to one side as it slows down. That curve is the bias. Models are often described as narrow, medium or wide.
- Narrow bias: a straighter line. Suits fast greens, many indoor greens and players who like to draw close to the jack on tight rinks.
- Medium bias: an all-round choice that works on most greens.
- Wide bias: a bigger curve. Helps on slower outdoor greens like many in Scotland, and gets round bowls sitting in front of the jack.
If you play mostly outdoors in summer on Scottish greens, a medium or wider bias is a safe start. If you also play indoors in winter, a medium bias model sold as suitable for both is the practical choice. Henselite notes that wear on the running surface slowly straightens a narrow bias bowl, so very narrow models need checking more often.
The World Bowls stamp and second-hand bowls
Bowls made by licensed manufacturers carry a World Bowls stamp, which confirms the model meets World Bowls rules. Older sets may show an International Bowling Board stamp instead. For club roll-ups and most league games nobody checks, but major competitions can require a valid stamp, so read the entry conditions before a big event.
Second-hand sets are a good way to start. Before buying, check that:
- All four bowls are the same size, weight and model.
- The stamp is readable.
- There are no deep chips or cracks, especially on the running surface.
- The grip pattern is not worn smooth.
Grip, colour and carrying
Most bowls now come with a grip pattern of dimples or rings, and most players prefer gripped bowls, especially in wet Scottish weather. Colour does not change how a bowl runs, but a bright colour or a distinctive emblem makes it easier to tell your bowls from your opponent’s at the far end. The full bowling range shows everything listed on the site in one place.
You will also need something to carry them in. A two or four bowl carrier, or a full bowls bag with a shoe compartment, protects the bowls and keeps everything together, and a bag with a separate compartment also takes your bowls shoes. The bowls bags range covers both, and the accessories range has items such as bowl lifters and cloths. What to wear on your feet matters just as much as the bowls, which is covered in the guide to lawn bowls shoes and clothing.
Quick checklist
- Try borrowed club bowls before you buy.
- Choose the size by the finger and thumb test.
- Start with medium weight.
- Pick a bias that suits the greens you play on most.
- Buy flat green lawn bowls, not crown green woods.
- On a used set, check the stamp, chips and grip.
- Get a bag or carrier to protect the bowls.
Common questions
Should a beginner buy size 0 bowls?
Only if size 0 fits your hand. Small bowls are easier to hold but lighter, and they can be pushed around by wind and by other bowls. Use the finger and thumb test rather than choosing small by default.
Can I use the same bowls indoors and outdoors?
Yes, many players do. A medium bias model sold as suitable for both is the usual choice. Players who take the game seriously sometimes keep a narrower set for indoor rinks.
How long do lawn bowls last?
A good set can last many years with care. Wipe them after play, keep them in a bag away from heat and avoid dropping them on hard ground. Have them checked if you plan to enter major competitions that require a valid stamp.
