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how to play

Lawn Bowling Rules: How to Play & Score

Lawn bowling (also called lawn bowls) is a patient, strategic classic that rewards a steady hand over raw strength. You roll weighted, slightly lopsided balls down a flat green toward a little target ball called the jack, and whoever finishes closest scores. The twist that throws off beginners is the bias: the bowls are not perfectly round, so they curve as they slow down. Master that curve and you will be the one collecting points.

2 (singles) up to teams of 4 per side PLAYERS AGES 8+ 5 min SETUP A flat, level lawn at least 70-100 ft long for a full rink
Gear check

What you need

  • A set of biased lawn bowls (one color per player or team)
  • A jack (the small target ball, usually white or yellow)
  • A flat, level patch of grass or a proper bowling green
  • A mat to bowl from
  • Optional: a tape measure for settling close ends
The playbook

How to play lawn bowling

  1. Roll the jack to start the endThe first player places the mat, then rolls the jack down the green. Once it settles and is centered, it becomes the target for that round of play (called an end).
  2. Understand the biasEach bowl is weighted unevenly so it curves as it slows. Aim wide and let the bias carry the bowl back toward the jack. Roll with the bias facing the jack to curve inward.
  3. Take turns delivering bowlsPlayers alternate rolling their bowls from the mat toward the jack, trying to finish as close as possible. You can also roll to block opponents or knock their bowls (or the jack) out of position.
  4. Aim to nestle close to the jackThe goal is to land your bowls nearer the jack than your opponent's nearest bowl. Strategy includes drawing close, guarding your good bowls, and bumping the jack toward your cluster.
  5. Finish the end and scoreOnce every bowl is delivered, measure which bowls are closest to the jack. Only one side scores per end, earning a point for each of its bowls closer than the opponent's nearest bowl.
  6. Play the next end the other directionPick up the bowls, move the mat, and bowl back the other way down the green. Repeat until someone reaches the target score or you finish the agreed number of ends.
Keeping score

Scoring

  • Only one side scores in each end. That side earns 1 point for every one of its bowls closer to the jack than the opponent's nearest bowl.
  • Example: if your two bowls are both closer than any of the other side's, you score 2 points and they score 0.
  • Games are commonly played to a target score (often 21 points) or to a set number of ends, depending on the format.
  • If the closest bowls from each side are tied (a measured dead-heat), no points are awarded for that position.
Set it up right

Distance & setup

set it up rightA full bowling green rink is about 14-19 ft wide and 120 ft long, though backyard players use whatever flat, level grass they have (aim for at least 70-100 ft of length). The jack must be rolled a minimum distance to count as a valid end. The green should be as flat and smooth as possible so the bias does the work, not the bumps.
House rules

Fun variations

  • Singles: one player versus one, usually four bowls each per end.
  • Pairs, triples, and fours: teams of 2, 3, or 4 share the end and combine strategy.
  • Backyard bowls: a casual set on any flat lawn, agreed target score, relaxed measuring.
  • Not bocce: lawn bowls use biased balls that curve, while bocce balls are symmetric and roll straight. Do not mix the two up.
The rulebook desk

Lawn Bowling rules FAQ

How do you play lawn bowling?

Roll the small jack down the green to set a target, then take turns rolling your biased bowls to finish as close to the jack as possible. After all bowls are delivered, the side with bowls nearest the jack scores. Repeat in rounds called ends until you hit the target score.

How do you score in lawn bowling?

Only one side scores per end. That side earns one point for every bowl it has closer to the jack than the opponent's nearest bowl. Games are usually played to a target like 21 points or to a set number of ends.

What is the bias in lawn bowls?

Lawn bowls are deliberately weighted unevenly so they curve as they slow down instead of rolling straight. You aim wide and let the bias carry the bowl back toward the jack. Roll with the bias side facing the jack to curve inward.

What is the difference between lawn bowls and bocce?

Lawn bowls are biased, so they curve in a banana-shaped path and are played on a flat manicured green. Bocce balls are perfectly symmetric, roll straight, and are usually played on a longer dirt or grass court. Same idea, different equipment and feel.

What is an end in lawn bowling?

An end is one complete round of play: rolling the jack, delivering all the bowls, and scoring. After scoring, players turn around and bowl back the other direction for the next end.

Can you play lawn bowling in your backyard?

Yes, as long as you have a reasonably flat, level patch of grass. You will not get the precision of a championship green, but a casual set of bowls and an agreed target score make for a great relaxed game.

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