Crown Green Bowling
How to play
Before You Begin
Up to 4 Teams may play at once.
Each team has 1 jack (the small ball). Please do not start a game if 4 jacks are on the green.
If there are less than 4 jacks on the yellow, please feel free to play!
Ages 12+ only please.
Game Start
Objective: The aim is to roll your bowls closer to the jack than your opponent.
The Jack: The game starts with the jack being bowled from corner to corner to establish the end’s target. It must travel at least 19 meters.
Delivery: Players alternate rolling their bowls towards the jack. The goal is to get as close as possible.
Playing the Game
The Green: The play area is a large, rectangular, slightly convex lawn, allowing for a unique, curved path of bowls.
Bowling: Players take turns to roll their bowls. The bowl’s bias causes it to travel in a curve, aiming to finish near the jack. Sending a bowl with the thumb on the biased side is known as a thumb peg and sending a bowl with the thumb on the non-biased side is known as finger peg. You must tell your opponents whether the jack has been sent thumb or finger peg once you have rolled the jack.
Scoring: Points are awarded for each bowl closer to the jack than the opponent’s nearest bowl. Games are typically played to 21 points.
Scoring System
Singles: The closest bowl to the jack scores 1 point. Additional points can be scored if more than one bowl is closer than the opponent’s nearest bowl.
Doubles and Team Play: Teams alternate bowls, aiming to get closer to the jack than the opponents.
Conduct
Respect for opponents and etiquette is paramount. Players should not walk on the green before all bowls have come to rest.
Winning the Game
The player or team first to reach or surpass 21 points wins the match.
Bias
Please note that all bowls have a bias – the bowl will curve one way or the other.
You can determine which side is biased by looking for the side withthe small logo. It is also usually the side with the stamp.
When in the hand, hold the biased side in the direction you want the bowl to turn. If you want the bowl to go from left to right, hold it with the bias on the right hand side.
Key Tips
Mastering bowl delivery and understanding the green’s topography are crucial for success.
Strategy and adaptability are key, as players must adjust to changing conditions and opponents’ placements.