A Guide to Selecting Bowls

Whilst this guide is aimed at new bowlers it will hopefully help anyone looking to buy a set of bowls. So whether it is your first set, or a replacement set, hopefully there is something here to help everyone.

Note: Where a heavy or slow green is referred to this means a green on which bowls do not run so freely. This will generally be due to the surface being wet and/or soft, or the grass being that bit longer. On a green in this condition it can take a lot more effort to send a bowl long distances.

 

Where to begin?

Standard or high density? Light or heavy? Smooth finish or textured grip? With so many options—and a range of manufacturers to match—it’s no wonder choosing a set of bowls can feel a bit overwhelming.

The advice most people hear is simple enough: “Try a few and see what feels right.” That’s not bad guidance, but it does raise a fair question—what exactly does “right” feel like?

Then there’s the received wisdom around weight and density. You might hear that low-density bowls “run on” further and suit slower greens, while high-density bowls “pull up” sooner and are better for faster surfaces. Standard density, meanwhile, is often described as a safe all-round choice. Add to that the idea that heavier bowls travel further than lighter ones, and it all becomes rather confusing.

The trouble is, much of this advice—though well intentioned—doesn’t quite hold up. So let’s take a closer look at what’s really going on.

Myth buster 1: “Use the heaviest bowl you can”

This is a common piece of advice—but it’s not quite right.

In reality, weight plays a big role in how far you can deliver a bowl, but not in the way you might expect. Put simply, a lighter bowl will travel further for the same amount of effort. That’s just basic physics.

Imagine a player sending a 2lb 8oz bowl 40 metres using all their strength. Swap that for a 2lb 4oz bowl—around 10% lighter—and, with the same effort, it will leave the hand at a higher speed and travel 4 metres further.

You can see this when setting the jack. Most players can send the jack the full length of the green—and beyond—without much trouble. Yet doing the same with a much heavier bowl is often more of a challenge.

So rather than simply choosing the heaviest option, a better rule of thumb might be:
Use the heaviest bowl you can comfortably deliver to the longest distance on a heavy/slow green.

Myth buster 2: “Heavier bowls run on further”

It can certainly look that way. A heavier bowl often seems to keep going while a lighter one slows down sooner.

But appearances can be deceptive.

As a bowl travels, it spins—and that spinning motion stores energy. Heavier bowls carry more of that rotating energy, so they tend to slow down more gradually at the end of their run. That’s what we notice.

However, there’s a trade-off. When the bowl first contacts the green, some of its forward energy is used to start that spin. A heavier bowl loses slightly more speed at this stage than a lighter one. It’s a subtle effect—too small to see—but it’s there. It is one of the reasons racing cars are fitted with light weight wheels – it means the engine spends less energy getting the wheels spinning, leading to quicker acceleration.

If you could watch two bowls set off at exactly the same speed, the lighter one would edge ahead early on. The heavier bowl catches up towards the end and may be the last to stop, but ultimately, both would travel much the same distance.

So, while heavier bowls may run on further at the end of their journey, in practice, they don’t offer a real distance advantage.

Myth buster 3: “Density affects how far a bowl runs”

This one is partly true—but only in a certain sense.

If you compare bowls of the same weight, density makes no real difference to how far they travel. A 2lb 8oz bowl will behave much the same whether it’s low, standard, or high density. The main difference is size.

Where density does matter is when you’re thinking about fit. Bowls of the same size can come in different weights depending on their density. That means you can find a bowl that fits your hand well to give a secure grip (See Myth buster 4), then choose a density that gives you the optimum weight. (See Myth buster 1)

It’s a useful way to fine-tune your choice—getting both comfort and performance.

Myth buster 4: “If you can hold it upside down, it fits”

That’s a start—but it’s not the full picture.

In real conditions—cold, wet, or having to send long distances on heavy greens — you’ll need a much more secure grip than that. The key factor here is size, not weight. And a secure grip is critical to retaining accuracy when you are bowling with a lot of speed and effort.

A well-fitting bowl should feel comfortable and secure in all conditions. Shape and grip patterns can also help, these vary from make to make. In general, though, it’s often better to err slightly on the smaller side than go too large.

So, where does this leave us?

If you’re trying to choose the right bowls, a few simple steps can help:

1. Start with size – make sure you can hold the bowl securely and comfortably in all conditions.
2. Find the right weight – choose something you can deliver to the longest distances on a heavy green.
3. Use density to fine-tune – pick the option that gives you the right weight for your preferred size.
4. When in doubt, go a little lighter and smaller.
5. Try before you buy – using your club’s bowls can save you from an expensive mistake.

Choosing bowls doesn’t have to be complicated. With a bit of understanding—and a bit of trial and error—you can find a set that suits you.