New Bowler Equipment Guide

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So, what do you need to get started and what can you buy to make life easier or to look like a pro? You don’t need much (links to on-line bowls shops on the website). Ebay is also a good place to look. The Club will provide all rink/mat equipment (mats/ jacks/ scoreboards/ measuring sticks etc) and will lend you bowls until you are ready to buy your own. Set your budget and get things as you need them. The first things you may want to get are:

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Bowls (Click Here)

They should last you a long time. Firstly, no-one can tell you what bowls to buy. Everyone is different in terms of size, delivery, playing position and how much they wish to spend etc. The best thing to do is borrow bowls from the club or a club member until you find a set that suits you best. Narrow your choice using the bias charts. Advice as to what bowls are too extreme to be suitable for a beginner is fine but if anyone says you must have such and such a bowl nod wisely and ignore them. If there was an ideal best bowl, everyone would be playing with that. All bowls are made from the same material, so there is no real quality difference. There are 4 main manufacturers - 2 based in the UK: Drakes Pride (Nottingham) & Thomas Taylor (Glasgow) and 2 in Australia: Aero & Henselite). Almark do a slightly niche product. Manufacturers make different marketing claims as to the benefits of their bowl - but if these were a major factor then all top bowlers would play with the same model. Starting out, you will probably want a mid-bias bowl that you can also use indoors. These are the most popular models in a manufacturer’s range for that reason. Recent trends are for very coloured bowls – but some tri-colours should have a health warning. Coloured bowls carry a price premium over the more traditional brown/black ones but then you may be happy to pay extra to play with one that looks like a giant Murray mint. Buying from past players or on Ebay is the most usual way to get started with a set of second-hand bowls. You can always re-sell if you make a mistake. It’s a confidence sport, so if you are happy with your bowls you will probably play better. Anyway, try BEFORE you buy. Things to look out for when buying (apart from the major basics of size and bias) are:

• Grip – modern trend is to have a deeper grip. You can probably go up a bowl size with a deeper grip and it may be more comfortable. However, the width of the running surface is reduced with a deep grip. You can have bowls re-gripped.

• Profile. Some manufactures offer a slimline version which may or may not suit.

• Engravings – second hand you have no choice, but you can get these in a variety of designs, colours and different sizes and may have to pay a premium for the option. Although they are likely to be covered by the Club sticker, some players will be happy with pink fairies on their bowls, others less so.

• Weight. Medium weight is less common now, but the difference between a Heavy and Medium bowl is only about 2oz (50 grams) so not noticeable for most new bowlers if this is a worry when buying second-hand.

• Date Stamp – bowls are stamped for 10 years to certify their bias. The date stamp will tell you how old second-hand bowls are when you are buying. Really old ones on the cheap not always a good buy.

Stickers

Team members must have club stickers on their bowls to differentiate them from the opposition during a game. You can get these at the bar.

Bowls Carrier

To get your bowls to the playing area as you won’t want to take your main bag there. Either a zipped bag or, more commonly, a webbing/sling arrangement.

Cloth

It is useful to have a cloth to clean/dry your bowls if the green is wet. Matches normally continue in the rain so good to have a waterproof top with you if the weather looks bad.

Grippo (or similar)

Paste to put on your fingers or bowl to help with grip – mainly in the wet. Using it just after the grass has been cut can result in your bowl looking like a hedgehog. Also polishes bowls.

Bowling Glove

Like a golfer’s glove – helps with sweaty hands and can improve grip. Alternative to Grippo.

Shoes

Greens/mats are delicate surfaces so you need flat-soled bowls shoes. There are a wide variety of styles and colours ranging from old-fashioned brogues to trainers. You will be on your feet for several hours during a match, so comfort is important. Don’t wear your shoes to the match – change in the clubhouse to stop transfer of grit and grass/weed infections onto the playing surface. A wide range of pricing – Bowls manufacturer’s trainer types are the costliest, also try Ebay & Amazon.

Chalk/Spray

A bowl needs to be marked if it is a ‘toucher’ by the Skip or Second (or Third in rinks). You can buy little aerosol cans of chalk spray to mark the bowl so that you don’t have to make contact and risk moving it. It’s not always easy to see the mark on coloured bowls so the chalk sprays now come in a range of pastel colours as well as white. On a shortmat, there will usually be a stick of chalk provided to mark the bowl and to draw around jacks/bowls in the ditch (as spray chalk can be wild and spray the mat instead of the bowl and also can’t be used to draw around the bowl). If you use the stick of chalk, be careful not to move the bowl. If it is in danger of toppling, you can nominate it as a ‘toucher’. Chalk sticks can also be used outside.

Wedges

When measuring, if there is a danger of the bowl toppling, you can prop it up with rubber wedges. Only needed if you play in a position doing the measuring.

Measure

Only needed by the Second (or Third in rinks/fours). A retractable tape measure for measuring the gap between the jack and bowl when unable to decide which bowl is closest. Usually contains callipers too for close measurements. There is a right way around for measuring. Silly money for what it is. If you want to go mad, you can put all these in a

Bowls Marker Accessory Pouch

that fits on your belt. Not seen many of these around anymore and not needed.

Club Shirt

You will need a Club shirt if you want to play in any teams – Friendlies or League. Order on-line.

Trousers/Shorts/Skirt

You can buy ‘proper’ bowls trousers either in a smart trouser style or looser jogging-bottom style. Or just use what you have available. Navy trousers/shorts/skirts/skorts etc (can be bought from the same supplier as the Club shirts). White fleeces/jumpers can be bought cheaply on Ebay and you can apply a self-adhesive club badge. A waterproof top is always good to have and to keep in your

Bag

Bowls are heavy and you will need to get everything to the game. You will need a bag. Wheeled bags or a trolley are good although there is a danger you end up looking like cabin crew. A variety of sizes/compartments/padding. Any bag to start off with will work fine.

Hat or Cap

It can get hot and exposed out there (and rain, too). Sun cream in your bag.

Scorecard Holders

Usually provided by the club. Bit flash having your own and only used by the Skip.

Other

Hand warmers, umbrella, drinks bottle all useful depending on the season.

Lifter

For those of us who prefer not to have to bend too much, a metal gadget for lifting and moving the bowls/jack.

Bowling Arm

An artificial aid for delivering the bowl for those with restricted bending options.