Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it easy to learn Lawn Bowls?
A novice can pick up the basics in half an hour – and spend the next 50 years trying to master it.
How long is the season?
Our outdoor lawn bowling season is about 5 months -- from the beginning of May until Late September. In 2025 our season is ending late August to accomodate the City of Brampton's installation of NEW CARPET TURF!! YAY!!
As an FYI, we also offer indoor short mat bowling during the winter months (November to mid April).
Do I have to be a Brampton resident to be a member?
No you do not need to be a Brampton resident. In fact because BLB has a welcoming social vibe and a drop-in format perfect for summer, our members often have friends join who live outside of Brampton.
Does BLB have instructors to help me learn how to bowl?
Yes. The place to start is to come to one of our Open House sessions and beginner skills nights early in the bowling season.
I’ve never bowled. Can I try the game without joining?
Yes! If you miss open house, drop in for Monday night Jitney and introduce yourself. We’ll help you find a set of bowls that’s the right size for your hands—the club has bowls you can use, in a range of sizes. We’ll ask you to sign a waiver, so you can’t sue us if you drop a bowl on your foot, give you brief instruction so you can play a game and be there to answer any questions. Prospective members can be on the green a maximum of 3x prior to joining (this is an OBLA insurance rule!).
Isn’t lawn bowling for senior citizens?
No!
Many top competitive bowlers are in their twenties.
However, because lawn bowls requires precision and strategy more than strength, it is a game that you can continue to play through your senior years and in fact many members have started to play after retirement.
How often can I bowl in a week?
It’s not far off to say as much as you like. With open or jitney bowling Monday through Thursdays and tournament play accessible to all members, some keen members participate 5 times per week. For others it might 3-4 times a month. BLB is not gender-biased in any way and all our drop-in sessions and tournaments are mixed.
How long is a game?
Typically, a single game of 12 ends usually takes about two hours. Monday Jitneys are 2 games of 5 ends and with a short break.
Is lawn bowling like curling?
It is played and scored similar to curling, but there are differences. Each bowl is biased to curve in one direction as it proceeds down the rink. A small white ball called the “jack” (target) is bowled first and like curling, the closest bowls to the jack are counted. It is more interesting and challenging than curling in that the jack can be moved by a bowl, and that creates a new target for the rest of the bowls! Also, the team delivering the jack can send it a short way or long way down the rink. Unlike curling there is no sweeping. The grass used on the greens is similar to the grass used on golf putting surfaces.
What should I wear when I bowl?
There are no rules about what you wear, except for the flat-soled closed toe shoes that protect the green. Most running shoes or sneakers are fine. Visit the BLB Club Store Link and pick up some Brampton Lawn Bowling swag!!
Do I need to buy bowls?
No, in fact, we suggest you start by using “club bowls.”
BLB has about 50 sets of bowls in various sizes, which you can borrow during play (they stay in the club for others to use).
Bowls range in size from 00 to 5 with 00 being the smallest. We suggest you stick to club bowls until you are sure what size you are most comfortable with. When you are ready, used bowls can often be found or a new set can be purchased online.
Do I need any special equipment?
No, the only requirement is that you wear flat-soled closed toe shoes to avoid damaging the greens. Sneakers and most running shoes are fine. Just like curling- easy on the knees stick bowling is also Canada Bowls approved. Sticks are readily available for sale online.
Can I practice on my own?
Yes, during drop-in bowling when not all rinks are in use. Just tell the drawmaster you are there to practice so he/she is not expecting you to put in your tag and be part of a game that day.
What are the different types of teams?
Teams are made up of between one and four players. The games are designated as:
• Singles – One against one. Each player delivers four bowls.
• Pairs – Two against two. Each player delivers four bowls.
• Triples – Three against three. Each player delivers three bowls.
• Fours – Four against four. Each player delivers two bowls.
Do I need to get a team together to lawn bowl?
No, you can bowl as an individual. During the bowling season there is open or jitney bowling most days and/or evenings under the lights, where the drawmaster sets teams up from the members in attendance.
Why do the bowls curve as they roll?
A bowl curves because of the way it is made, not because of the way it is delivered by the bowler. The bowl is not uniformly shaped and is weighted on one side, so it naturally curves in that direction. This is called the “bias.” Because the bowls are not completely round, they are NOT called balls.
How are the bowls identified?
Each set of bowls has a unique insignia or marking for easy identification.
Why do new bowlers play the lead position?
In most games, learning bowlers will often be asked to play lead—that’s when you’re the first person on your team to bowl each end. With few other bowls in play, the lead can concentrate on consistently delivering a draw shot (where your bowl simply comes close to the jack without touching other bowls). It’s the fundamental shot in any bowler’s skill set.
The lead is a very important player on any team. Your bowls set up the end for your vice and skip—you’re building the foundation for each end. A lead who can get closer to the jack than the opposing lead is a huge asset to any team.
How does drop-in bowling work?
It’s easy! Arrive at the club about 20 minutes before the start time, grab your bowls and drop your tag on the drawmaster’s desk. The tags are on the wall in the clubhouse. The drawmaster will create teams and place the tags in the draw racks. Once the drawmaster announces “the draw’s up,” you can check the rack for your card—by its position, you can see which rink you’re playing on and who’s on your team. With this type of play, you don't belong to a regular team, and you'll play with different people every time depending upon who shows up to play.
"Jitney" is a Canadian lawn bowling term for a pick-up game. At Monday night jitneys, you play more than two 5-end games with new teams drawn between draws and each player puts in $2. At the end of the jitney, monetary prizes are awarded to the top scoring lead, second, vice and skip of the night.
Why are draw tags different colours?
The colour of your tag indicates your level of experience. Yellow tags are for novice or beginning players. White tags are for those with more experience and they typically play the vice position. Green tags are for the most seasoned players who typically act as skips for teams.
What is 4-3-2-1 lawn bowling?
This is a fun individual event for members of all abilities. 4-3-2-1 is scored by players individually and can accommodate up to 4 players on a rink. Order of play is determined by coin toss. Once all bowlers have bowled, 4 points is awarded for the closest to the jack, 3 points for the second closest, 2 points for the third closest and 1 point for the fourth closest, no other bowls count. Each end is a total of 10 points.
This is a great game to improve drawing skills, and develop ways of maneuvering the jack.
At the beginning of the evening, bowlers will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 by random draw and the group winner will progress to the next group every 4 ends, so you will get to bowl with a variety of other members.
What are the rules that govern lawn bowling?
In jitneys and tournament games, BLB generally follows rules set by the Ontario Lawn Bowls Association (OLBA), also known as
Conditions of Play . Those rules are based ultimately on the Laws of the Sport, which are set by the sport’s international federation, World Bowls.
What are the opportunities for competitive bowling?
There are multiple opportunities to bowl competitively. The club hosts several tournaments annually for singles, pairs, triples and fours, as do other clubs across the province. Your membership at BLB allows you to enter tournaments across the province. The club also has annual club championship competitions for singles, pairs and triples. These are separated into novice divisions (5 years or less of playing) and open competitions. BLB is part of District 9 and participates in weekly competitions with other District 9 clubs: Georgetown, Oakville, New Toronto and Port Credit. Furthermore District 9 holds competitions novice bowlers leading to provincial championships.
How is the Brampton Lawn Bowling Club (BLB) governed?
BLB is a non-profit club that is governed by a Board of Directors that is elected annually at the fall general meeting for two year terms. There are also a number of standing and ad hoc committees that do the work needed to run the Club smoothly. Members are encouraged to get involved as without this volunteer participation, there would be no Club.
Is the BLB affiliated with any other clubs?
Yes! In fact, the Brampton Lawn Bowling Club is a member of the Ontario Lawn Bowls Association (OLBA) and your membership allows you to play in tournaments at different clubs across the province. Entry fees apply. Tournaments can be found here: https://www.olba.ca/find-a-tournament.html
TERMINOLOGY
Green - The playing surface, grass or outdoor carpet, where the teams play. Each game is played on a portion or lane of the green called a rink.
Mat - The small mat on which a player stands when delivering a bowl
Groundsheet - A large mat placed under the small mat to help protect the green during the delivery.
Jack - A small solid ball rolled down the rink that acts as the target.
Hog line - The minimum distance that the jack has to travel for the end to be valid. Generally indicated by markers on either side of the green.
End - The sequence of play beginning when the mat is put down and the jack is delivered down the rink, until the last bowl has been delivered and the score for the end determined.
Head - The group of bowls that have come to rest close to the jack.
Bowl - A biased, almost round, ball which varies in weight and size, in order to accommodate different sizes of hand.
Drawmaster - The person who arranges the teams and organizes play during jitney or open bowling.
Rake - As a verb, the action of collecting all the bowls after the end has been played. As a noun, the tool used to collect the bowls.
Bias - This prevents the bowl from rolling straight on the green causing it to curve.
Speed - How long it takes a bowl to travel on the green. Weather conditions and/or the length of the grass can make the surface fast or slow on any given day.
Weight - The amount of effort required to deliver the bowl a certain length along the green (usually to the jack).
Skip - The person who directs play for the team. Stands at the far end of the rink to direct play. Bowls last for the team.
Vice - Advises the skip of any changes in the head. After the end has completed, measures any disputed shots and determines the count. In a triples game, stands with the lead and bowls after all leads' bowls have been delivered. In a fours game, they stand with the Skip, and go to the end to deliver their bowls after the Seconds have rolled all their bowls.
Second - Plays after the lead in a fours games. Stands with the lead.
Lead - The first player on the team. The lead sets the jack to begin play. The lead of the team that loses the end, rakes the bowls to the mat. The two teams alternate positional players until they have played all their bowls.
Toucher - A bowl which touches, and may move, the jack. The toucher is marked with chalk so that it remains in play if it happens to be knocked into the ditch by another subsequent bowler.
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