Harrogate Bowling

Wise words on my introduction to bowling

"It's an easy game is bowling! All you have to do is put them on a line and play a length"

If only.......................

Wise words from Gary Wlliss

A few tips when leading out at those tricky 20 across moments


1. It helps playing to your own preferred strength. Make sure you know which bias 'finger or thumb' suits your game best and what your natural distance of delivery is. Having 2 attempts at your natural length should result in one going close.

2. Avoid sending the jack anywhere near the gutter, it immediately puts pressure on your lead and most players get caught in 2 minds and either end up well short or off the green.

3. Very rare your second bowl should be played at any greater pace than a maximum of 1 yard over. Even 'touchers' can be beaten with the right pace and contact. Simply reaching up, even if connecting leaves too much space for your opponents bowl.

Words from an Armthorpe bowler

1. Practice unusual marks - the type yourself and others don't bowl naturally

2. Don't be afraid to challenge someone on their strength if you are a good bowler. You should be able to play all marks and forcing them off their length gains a psychological advantage - so important in any sport

3. beyond a certain point bowls is 90% concentration, keep your head under pressure and never give up until the other person has scored 21 or whatever - a comeback always puts opponent under pressure - how many times have we seen someone "lose their rag" on the green - concentration goes and so does the game, and vice-versa, someone well behind gets a few back, focuses, concentrates and pulls off a good victory.

4. Even then, win or lose you can still win games for your team-mates from the side of the green so don't forget this aspect of your game - this was instrumental in my old team winning comps such as the Yorkshire and West Riding cups - works well at Armthorpe also where the team are always behind you and won quite a few team events last season.

You can't win short

Spend time practicing without a jack. Excellent for judging distance. Great for knowing how to put a yard in, take a yard out, putting two bowls together, turning over and trying to pair up etc

Advice from Doncaster

Following on from Gary's advice, whenever I'm practising om my own I tend to always turn over with the second bowl, as you should always be confident to be able to do this. It's surprising how many bowlers, even in the higher leagues, rarely (if ever) turn over, even when there's one or more woods directly on the land.

Dont forget the last of the 3 L's....

Land, Line and....LUCK

Remember the more you practice the Luckier you are

Does anyone else bowl the jack left handed and woods right (for practice)?

I sometimes put 4 or 5 jacks on the green and bowl to them in turn

If I tried bowling the jack left handed I'd probably end up popping it straight up in the air then right back down on my head

I've seen a variation when they bowl the jack from between their legs then bowl their woods normally. Mind you they might have been practicing in preparation for playing John Jennison

A variation on the multiple Jack's is to start with 2. Bowl the first Jack, followed by your woods. Lastly bowl the 2nd jack to another part of the green on it's own. You then bowl your woods to the 2nd jack, then lastly bowl the 1st jack to another part of the green and repeat.

iank wrote::D If I tried bowling the jack left handed I'd probably end up popping it straight up in the air then right back down on my head

That's what happened to me

1. Always bowls percentage - if your opponent has 1 wood touching and the other bowl 2 yards away always make sure you save.

Likewise if they have two touchers make sure you are there. No Point being short.

2. If you are struggling for length bowl something simple and straight, this should help you get the length back.

3. Never ever give in, i have seen people come back from anyway and everwhere to win.

Anymore tips Swanno -10

swanno1 says "cant win short", i disagree, ask rowson about spilsbury's woods been in the way (short)

1 for the under dog i think.

tip o' day, do not listen to shirleyb from t'dragon, stick to the church pew bishie, wheres your mate swanno -76 gone bishie, shurlie your hero must return to the forum soon zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz