| Are lawn bowls round? | No, they are asymmetrical (biased), so that they will curve when thrown. Think of a coffee cup and what happens when you try to roll it. This is a great eggsageration of course. |
| Are bowls weighted? | Most bowls are not weighted, but because they are asymmetrical, as the bowl slows, it curves in. |
| Is lawn bowling for seniors only? | Unfortunately lawn bowling seems to
have the stigma of being for seniors only and this is not true. We have
people that are not seniors in our club. A lot of clubs have a juniors
programs. For the past few years we have been having classes
of students from local schools, coming to our club, to introduce them
to lawn bowling. Tim Mason who is 32 and from this area (he played for the Orillia Terriers Jr. A Hockey Club in the 90's) represented Canada on a 5 man team, at the 2007 Asia Pacific Bowls Championships in Christchurch, N.Z. That said, it is also an excellent game for a retired person, as being retired allows you time to enjoy your summer on the green and there is good social interaction amongst members. If you miss your younger days of playing hockey, baseball etc. here is your chance to get back that completive side you are missing, through tournaments, throughout the clubs in your general area or beyond or if you are just looking for some in-club fun, try lawn bowling. |
| How do you know which way it will curve? | There is a small circle design on one side of the bowl and a larger circle on the other - the bowl curves toward the smaller one. |
| Do I have to wear white clothes, I am more a plaid kind of person? | No - at one time is was required, but in this day and age it is not. If you reach the level of going out to play other clubs, whites or team matching clothes, might be required, but certainly not for beginners. |
| Do I have to buy special shoes? | No, any shoe with a fairly flat sole will do (so as not to harm our green). There are special shoes you can buy, but this is not necessary for a beginner. |
| Do I have to buy bowls? | No, club bowls are available for the first year, for free, after that there is a small rental fee per use. After you have bowled for awhile you will probably want to buy your own bowls. |
| I am interested in lawn bowling, how much will it cost me to try it? | FREE - NOTHING - $0 - just give us a call, email us at lawnbowling@rogers.com, or show up on a Friday morning at 9am and we will be glad to show you how the game is played and let you try it. |
| Is it true that your head greenskeeper is handsome, smart and an excellent bowler and would I have to play against him, when I start? | That is 4 questions and the answers are yes - yes - yes & yes (in case you did not figure it out, I am the head greenskeeper and live in this dream world, it works for me, oh the power of being a web master). You would be on a team and when you start, you start out as lead, which means you would bowl first, you would have a skip, who would help you out as to where to throw the bowls and any other help you might need. Lawn Bowling is a friendly game and everyone will help you! P.S. Don't show too much disappoint when you actually meet me! |
| How big is the grass area you play on? | The grass area is called a green and it is approximately 120 ft by 120 ft - the green is divided up into 8 rinks. |
| How long is the grass cut? | The grass is cut to about 1/8", much like a putting green, we prefer our green a little browner than a putting green, as it helps with the pace. |
| Ok smarty what is pace? | Pace is the speed at which the bowl goes from the mat to the jack, which also effects the way the bowl comes in. |
| STOP STOP this is getting way to complicated for me, do I have to remember all this? | NO just come out and have fun, I am just answering questions for people that might want more info . |
| Do you offer lessons and if so how much are they? | We have 2 trained coaches and they offer free lessons, which can be arranged with them. |
| If I join when can I bowl? | We have Monday night triples, Tuesday morning ladies, Tuesday night mens, Thursday morning couples (this is set teams and you have to apply to get in), Friday morning fun bowling (the best place to start or try lawn bowling), jitneys and other fun events throughout the bowling season, such a bowling euchres, in club tournaments, Canada Day Celebration, etc.. You can also bowl at other clubs, that are members of Ontario Lawn Bowls Association and hold tournaments. |
| There is a bowling season? | Yes we bowl from when the green is ready (about mid May-ish) until it is too cold to bowl (end of September-ish) (I have seen avid bowlers, bowling in tournaments, in the snow). I made up the ishes words, feel free to use them. |
| What are the following: Jack Mat Ditch Chalk Weight Tape |
White ball about the size of a cue ball, that we try to get close to. What we must keep our foot on or over when delivering bowl Area around the green - filled with sand Used to mark the bowl, when bowl hits the jack How heavy the bowl is thrown Used to measure which bowls are closest |
| How many people can bowl at one time? | We have 8 rinks and we bowl: Singles 2x8=16 Doubles 4x8=32 Triples 6x8=48 Fours 8x8=64 |
| This sounds amazing and I would really like to try, but unfortunately I do not live near Orillia? | Check your local club, you will probably find that they offer much the same as we do. For a list of a lot of the clubs in Canada, click on this link Bowling Clubs and click on the club directory link. Of course I can't promise the handsome, smart, greens keeper, but please tell them you saw Orillia Lawn Bowling's web page. |