The Bowling Club

Not just my opinion but this is the biggest single thing that influences your game.
Tactics and green conditions all have parts to play but if you can master your delivery, the rest of your game will fall into place.

Whether you’re a beginner starting out on your bowls journey or you’ve been playing for a few years, getting the fundamentals right will improve your game.

We are talking about accuracy, control and consistency.

Stance

A good delivery begins before the bowl even leaves your hand.
Your stance is the foundation for every shot, and for me balance is crucial.

• Stand with your feet comfortably apart – my feet are usually about sixteen inches apart (about shoulder width). Your weight should be evenly balanced.
• Your feet, hips, and shoulders should be square to your chosen delivery line. I feel this is only a subtle change from your position when throwing the jack, so don’t over-emphasise it.
• Keep your knees slightly bent and your upper body loose – any tension will reduce fluidity.
• Hold the bowl with a relaxed but secure grip (more of grips later).

Grip & Bias

Your grip determines how the bowl behaves upon release.

• Hold the bowl so that the bias side is facing the correct way for your intended shot.
  This might seem obvious, but I’ve witnessed many, many wrong biased deliveries (some of them mine).
  ALWAYS CHECK!
• Support the bowl with your fingers underneath, not just in the palm.
• Keep your grip consistent for every shot to build muscle memory.

Backswing and Moving Forward

Delivery is a controlled swing of the arm combined with a gentle forward step.

• Start your swing straight back along your intended line, keeping the bowl low to avoid jerky movements.
• Step forward with your opposite foot to your bowling hand (right hand = step forward with your left foot, and vice versa).
  (This sounds complicated but your body will be doing this automatically; it’s all about how smoothly you can do it).
• So this is where Sir Isaac Newton comes in: Let gravity help with your forward swing and avoid forcing the motion.

Think of your arm as a pendulum, the more relaxed it is, the more consistent your speed and line will be.

Release

No pressure – but this is the most crucial part of your delivery.
Get this wrong and that perfect stance and swing will have been for nothing.

• You are continuing the arc of your swing, allowing your bowl to run smoothly off your fingers.
• Don’t rush or snatch – you want to maintain that steady speed
• Release your bowl close to the ground. You should be trying to eliminate or minimise any bounce.
• Your hand and wrist should still be in line with your delivery line or aiming point.

The Follow-through

Many bowlers make the mistake of stopping their motion too early.
A good follow-through will mean your delivery is stable and your line remains true. Don’t stop the follow-through early!

• Your arm should end up pointing towards your aiming point
• Your body weight should finish slightly forward.
• Hold your position for a moment after releasing your bowl. Try to commit to memory what you have just done.

If your delivery has been good all you have to do is remember and repeat.

What Not To Do

• Do not over-grip – your delivery will be inconsistent
• Do not look up too early – keep your eyes on your aiming point until the bowl has left your hand.
• Do not hurry your delivery – keep is smooth and steady.
• Do not bounce your bowls – always release your bowl close to the green