1. What does it mean that a green is 'fast' or 'slow'?

A faster green means that the bowl needs to be rolled to take a lot of grass (rolled in a wide curve) which makes the bowl take 14 - 19 seconds to reach the jack. Conversely on slower greens the bowl should be rolled to take much less green (in a slight curve), which means the bowls take less time to reach the jack say 10 - 14 seconds.

2. Where can I get my bowls tested?

The best places to have your bowls tested in Britain are:

Pershore Bowls

Unit 5b/c
Pershore Trading Est
Pershore
Wostershire
England
WR102DD
TEL: 01386 552 411
www.pershorebc.co.uk

George MacKay's

65 Black Friers Street
Edinburgh
Scotland
EH1 1NB
TEL: 0131 556 1779
(Please note only open Saturday morning)
 

3. Do grips affect the run of the bowl?

No. In fact they are to help align the bowl before delivery and to assist grip - both of which will help deliver the bowl straight ensuring accurate delivery.

4. Where can I learn to play lawn bowls?

At your local bowling club the coach may give you free coaching.

5. Can I use the same bowls everywhere I play?

Of course you can for outdoors but you should also be aware that bowls are designed for specific conditions, primarily green speeds. The bias of the bowl enables perfomance which favours play on either slower or faster greens. Please note that there are specific bowls for playing indoors.

6. Do you need a different bowl if you are left-handed?

No, this is not necessary at all.

7. Why should I play lawn bowls?

Lawn bowls has given people of all ages the opportunity to exercise both indoor and outdoor in a social or competitive environment coupled with the physical exercise aspect that medically has proven to give longer life. Lifting, bending, walking and, in some cases, sprinting down the green to the rapturous applause of team mates, friends and in some instances thousands of spectators gives both the body and mind a euphoric experience that few sports can offer over a life time. Many families have introduced their children to lawn bowls at a tender age. What other sport is there that can have 3 generations of one family play together and experience each others company for hours and feeling bonded to one common goal.

8. Where can I purchase Henselite bowls?

For your nearest stockist click here. 
 

9. What's on special?

Our promotions are usually advertised in the bowls magazines, on this website in the News Section and via our eNewsletters. Click here to sign up for our eNewsletter for FREE.  

10. What's new?

New products and services are promoted in the News section of the website. You will also find out what’s new from our eNewsletter. Click here to sign up for our eNewsletter for FREE.  

11. How do I select the right bowl?

Selecting a bowl is a very personal thing. Of course there are quite a few things to consider when making your choice such as size, weight, bias, shape and grip. But a key determinant is the green speed where you will be playing and you will need to ask the coach at your local bowling club about this. Greens in the southern states tend to run slower than those in more northern parts of Australia. A faster green means that the bowl needs to be rolled to take a lot of grass (rolled toward the jack in a wide curve ) which makes the bowl take 14 - 19 seconds to reach the jack. Conversely on slower greens the bowl should be rolled to take much less green (in a slight curve), which means the bowls take less time to reach the jack say 10 - 14 seconds.

One way to get the right size, shape and weight is to wrap both of your hands around the widest running surface of a bowl so that your middle fingers touch at the bottom and if your thumbs touch at the top that is your size. If, when bowling, the bowl slips out of your hand or the bowl drops onto the grass then you should move down in size until you are comfortably in control of your bowls.
 

12. Can I have a bowl made with my personal logo?

Yes, click to find out more about personal engravings. 

13. Can I buy bowls without an engraving?

No. Bowls by law, must leave the factory/distributor engraved with the same engraving on both sides of each bowl in the set. The engravings must be visible at 1.5 metres.

14. Where do I get advice on the correct size and type of bowl?

There are many sources of information to help you selecting bowls from the specialised bowls shops, sports stores and particularly the bowls coach at your club who is familiar with green speeds and other local conditions.

15. What is the range of bowls sizes?

Under WB laws, bowls are sized from 00 (4 5/8"or 117.5 mm) to size 7 ( 5 1/8" or 130.2 mm). However sizes 6 & 7 are not made today due to lack of demand.

16. What is the difference between indoor bowls and lawn bowls?

Indoor bowls are played on carpet and lawn bowls are played on lawn or synthetic surfaces.

There are also some bowlers who play on a 45 ft x 9 ft felt carpet using regular lawn bowls.

Other groups and clubs in cold climates have felt on the floor of their club houses and bowl indoors with their lawn bowls when they can’t bowl outside. Some of these even have 'ditches' made into their floors for the ends of the rinks!
 

17. Why should I buy Henselite Bowls compared to others?

Henselite developed the first plastic compound bowl in the world. Our statistics from retailers show that Henselite bowls are the least often returned under warranty due to breakage, fracture or imperfections. Henselite are the only lawn bowls in the world that are AUSTRALIAN MADE.
 

18. Are Henselite bowls Australian made?

Henselite is the only bowls manufacturer located in Australia and all Henselite bowls are made in Australia.
 

19. How does the bias work?

The bowls are shaped so that the widest part of the running surface is off centre. Therefore the bias of the bowl is produced by the rate at which the bowl 'falls' to the smaller or lower side.

Old wooden bowls sometimes had lead weights in them to assist with making the bowl heavy enough and to assist with bias. However, in those days each bowl in a set was numbered so that the owner knew how much grass to take with each bowl.
(Grass: degree of angle off centre that a bowler directs their bowl in order for it to finish up in the desired position on the green.)
 

20. Why do bowls sometimes have a hollow sound on impact?

The bowl has a gas pocket in the bowl and will eventually break.

21. What does the date stamp mean?

World Bowls requires that licensed manufacturers and licensed testers put the registered 'World Bowls Stamp ' either on the small end or between the inner and outer rings of the bowl. This stamp validates that the bowl complies with all the regulations and specifications of World Bowls. Introduced in 2002 the stamp is now used on all new and re-tested bowls.

The stamp is a requirement for the bowls to be valid for use in major competitions under the control of World Bowls or any Member National Authority.

Prior to the 2002 introduction of the World Bowls stamp, bowls were stamped with the stamps of the International Bowling Board and prior to 1988 bowls had the stamp of the major countries.

22. Does the legal bias of a bowl last the duration of the stamp?

Subject to the narrowness of the bowl, its use and condition of greens where they are used. There is very little safety margin in the bias of the narrowest legal biased bowls and the chances are the bias may only be legal for 2-3 years because of wear. We suggest competitive bowlers get their bowls checked regularly as wear on the running surface of the bowl will straighten the run of the bowl.
 

23. Does the legal bias of a bowl last the duration of the stamp?

Subject to the narrowness of the bowl, its use and the condition of the greens where they are used. There is very little safety margin in the bias of the narrowest legal biased bowls and the chances are the bias may only be legal for 2-3 years because of wear. We suggest competitive bowlers get their bowls checked regularly as wear on the running surface of the bowl will straighten the run of the bowl.

24. Do bowls have to be tested?

In the past that was the case but today, there is no need for testing bowls unless they are being used in major events such as state titles or international events or as nominated in the entry form.
 

25. Is there a difference between black and coloured bowls?

Yes. Black is harder, more wear-resistant and more colour stable. Coloured bowls are made from a different material.
 

26. How do I care for my bowls?

Click for tips on caring for your bowls .

27. Are scratches covered by manufacturers’ warranty?

No, scratches are not covered by any bowls manufacturers’ warranty. Bowls scratch particularly when played in wet conditions, after a green has been top dressed, on greens with little grass and particularly on some sand-filled synthetic greens.