Bowls

Bowls is a sport in which the objective is to roll biased balls so that they stop close to a smaller ball called a "jack" or "kitty". It is played on a bowling green, which may be flat (for "flat-green bowls") or convex or uneven (for "crown green bowls").

History

The game of bowls has a long history, with its origins tracing back to ancient Egypt. The modern game developed in the 13th century in England. The oldest surviving bowling green is the Southampton Old Bowling Green, which was first used in 1299.

Equipment

The main equipment used in bowls includes:

• Bowls: These are the biased balls used in the game. They are typically made of a hard plastic composite material.
• Jack: A small white ball that serves as the target.
• Mat: A small rectangular piece of material from which players deliver their bowls.

Playing Area

The game is played on a bowling green, which is a carefully maintained grass or synthetic surface. The green is divided into parallel playing strips called rinks.

Rules and Gameplay

The basic aim of the game is to roll the bowls so that they come to rest as close as possible to the jack. Points are scored for the number of bowls a player has closer to the jack than the nearest bowl of the opponent. The game can be played in singles, pairs, triples, or fours formats.

Variations

There are several variations of the game, including:

• Flat-green bowls: Played on a flat surface.
• Crown green bowls: Played on a convex green.
• Indoor bowls: Played on an artificial surface indoors.

Major Competitions

Some of the major competitions in the sport of bowls include:

• World Bowls Championships
• Commonwealth Games
• Atlantic Bowls Championships

Governing Bodies

The sport is governed by several organizations, including:

• World Bowls
• Bowls England
• Bowls Australia

Notable Players

Some notable players in the history of bowls include:

• David Bryant (bowls)
• Tony Allcock
• Karen Murphy

Cultural Impact

Bowls is a popular sport in many countries, particularly in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. It is often associated with older players, but it is enjoyed by people of all ages.

See Also

• Lawn bowls
• Indoor bowls
• Crown green bowls
• Short mat bowls