FAQ Categories: Buying | Performance | Playing | Manufacturing | Warranty

1. Are Henselite bowls Australian made?

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

2. 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.)
 

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.
 

6. 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.