The basic equipment needed to play:
Mat, Jack, Bowls & Measure
Mats and jacks are provided at every bowling green. The only things you’ll need in regard to equipment are a set of bowls and possibly a measure (to decide shots if required). There is also a mention further on this page about clothing and footwear which is important reading.
The mats and jacks are provided by the club, so you need not worry about the finer details of sizes, but you can read about all this technical information using the World Bowls Laws of Sport link if you wish to know more.
Footwear
Footwear could be mentioned alongside equipment, because there are rules regarding footwear. The official, up-to-date ruling from World Bowls as it appears in the Laws of the Sport is:
A.2 Footwear
A.2.1 Players, umpires and markers must wear flat-soled (‘heel-less’) footwear when
they play on the green or act as umpires or markers.
A.2.2 WB and Member National Authorities can approve specific colours for
footwear and the types of sole.
In the UK we are able to wear any colour of flat-soled (‘heel-less’) footwear, ideally from recognised bowls shoes manufacturers such as Drakes Pride, Aero, Taylor etc
Clothing is dependent on whether it is a league or cup match, a friendly match or a social roll-up:
At Millwood BC a basic rule of thumb is that league matches are white from the waist down: trousers, shorts (not cargo) or skirt. Evening cup games and friendlies are greys from the waist down: trousers, shorts (not cargo) or skirt. Some afternoon league matches may vary from this. Club shirts are worn above the waist, and a white waterproof if required. For social roll-ups, ‘Spoons’ and our internal Monday League wear anything comfortable.
In regard to shorts (and trousers) for league matches:
Bowls
Bowls as stated in the Laws of the Sport:
52 Bowls
52.1 Specifications
52.1.1 Bowls must be manufactured from materials or products approved by WB, such as plastic resin (called composition or plastic bowls), and may be any colour or combination of colours. The bowls colours must be incorporated during the manufacturing process.
52.1.2 Indentations designed to help the player grip the bowl during delivery (for example, grooved rings or dimples) can be incorporated during the manufacturing process. They can also be added at a later date, but only by a Licensed Manufacturer or a Licensed Tester.
40 August 2022
52.1.3 Each set of bowls can carry a player’s individual emblem, logo or engraving as a distinguishing mark on both sides of every bowl.
52.1.3.1 The distinguishing mark must be the same design and colour on each bowl, but can be different in size.
52.1.3.2 The distinguishing mark on the bias side of the bowl must be inside the smallest grooved ring surrounding its centre.
52.1.3.3 If there are grooved rings surrounding the centre of the nonbias side, the distinguishing mark must be inside the smallest ring.
52.1.3.4 If there are no grooved rings surrounding the centre of the non-bias side, the distinguishing mark must be inside the indentations designed to help the player grip the bowl during delivery.
52.1.3.5 As well as the distinguishing marks, each set of bowls can carry a player’s name or signature. Imprints on the running surfaces of bowls must be avoided.
