Choosing the right size bowls
If you are new to lawn bowling, buying a set of lawn bowls can be intimidating, especially when choosing the right size, but it shouldn’t be. Many factors will determine the suitable bowl for you, but what matters is choosing a bowl that feels comfortable. This blog is about how to choose the right lawn bowl size for you.
Bowls come in many colours and sizes.
There are numerous bowls brands, but they come in standard sizes (00-6). A majority of men use a size between 3 and 5 and ladies between 00 and 2. However, the best way to determine what works for you is to try all the available sizes.
Trying different bowls will help you feel how comfortable they are in your hand. If they are too large, you won’t hold them properly, and the small ones will be hard to control.
Some ways of testing bowls sizes include:
Wrap your hands around the bowl – the thumbs should be at the bottom and the middle fingers at the top. If the fingers meet without straining, the bowl could be the right size for you. Ladies can combine this method with others as there are female bowlers who successfully use bowls that they cannot wrap their hands around.
Hold the bowl like you are about to deliver it and swing your arm back, then forward. If you can’t maintain the grip, then the bowl is too big for you.
Try holding the bowl and stretching your hand; if you can hold the bowl for half a minute, then it is the right size. Try a smaller size if you can’t.
Hold the bowl and turn it upside down. If it is slipping or too painful, the bowl may not be the right size for you.
To check if you can comfortably handle the bowl when wet, you can dunk it in a bucket of cold water and try holding it upside down. The best bowl for you is the one you can comfortably handle in both dry and wet weather, as you may be required to play on a wet lawn when it rains.
Having decided on which size suits you best, there is no need to rush out and buy a new set. Try the bowls available at Colemans Hatch Bowling Club or buy a cheap set on eBay or other website. They are available from about £30 upwards.