10 Reasons You Need to try Lawn Bowling

Yes. My perception of lawn bowling was that it was reserved for the 'older set'.

Well, poppycock I say.

I mean, that is incorrect bruh.

It was a fateful March spring day when my wife Amber and I were on one of our first neighbourhood strolls (having juse moved to Victoria) that we happened upon the Victoria Bowls and Croquet Club, the regions oldest (established in 1909!). Greenskeeper at the time Chris, was leaving the club as we were walking by looking in. I had no interest in striking up a conversation (see first sentence above), but that did not stop Chris and Amber and before you knew it I was rolling lawn bowls.

I am now addicted, so much so that I have created this website, not only that but I've invested in the some video production equipment that will allow me to live stream bowls played on the island for the world to see.

But why?

Well...let me give you 10 reasons you need to try it too:

1. No barrier to entry. That's right, not a 'low' barrier to entry, NO barrier to entry. Big, small, short, tall, disabled, young, old...this might be the only game that is truly the great equalizer

2. Affordable. You can try the game out for free at pretty much any club. And the club will have lawn bowls available for you to try. Lessons at any club might cost you $30 for 3 or 4 sessions. And if you love the game and want to join your club, the membership fee - which allows you access at anytime - will run you between $265-$400 FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR

3. Sense of community. I can't quite put my finger on it exactly, but there is a sense of comeraderie at these clubs that is unique. It may be because of the vast backgrounds of the people here, but the welcome my wife and I got was with arms wide open. When you join the club, you join a family.

4. The game is good for you. Not only is it good physically (and it is quite deceptively good at that bit), but maybe as importantly, it is good mentally. When you step on the green and you roll a few bowls and intermingle with other club members its hard not to come away from a game in a better frame of mind than when you started

5. No special skills required. You do not need a specialized skillset. You don't need bulging muscles (thank God). You don't have to be a fit athlete (again, thank God). If you can swing your arm back and forth and you can under-hand a ball, you're in! Heck, even if you can't underhand a bowl you're still in...see below

6. All access! Lawn bowling has adapted to suit bowlers that can't bend over easily, or bowlers that have trouble gripping a bowl, or bowlers that have mobility issues. From bowling arms to easy access to the greens, clubs will welcome you to try the game

7. Easy to learn. Give the game 10 minutes and you'll be well on your way to rolling your bowl like a pro. Seriously, you roll a bowl toward a white ball, how much easier do you want?

8. You can get good, quickly (if that's what you want). Bobbi-Jean Charlton (likely our club's most decorated bowler) has won a national championship, a provincial championship and multiple club and regional events. She started lawn bowling just 9 years ago. She is 60'ish. Now, imagine how good you can get if you started this game in your teens; the Commonwealth Games anyone?

9. It's strategic. The game will make your mind work. It's a little like curling and bocce but with more nuance and potential outcomes, the game keeps you sharp

10. Just play. Because the game is gender, body type, strength and ability agnostic, anyone can play against or with anyone. Lawn bowling is the great equalizer

11. It will hook you. OK, I know there were only supposed to be 10 reasons but I can't help myself. Let me finish with this, there is something mesmerizing about watching your bowl silently make its way down the green, bending gracefully on its path and ending nestled ever so closely to the jack. It is intoxicating. And WAY less frustrating than golf.

    
    

    I encourage you to look up your local lawn bowling club, there's at least 11 reasons to do so!