Why Do Lawn Bowls Curve? (Beginner’s Guide)
If you’re new to lawn bowls, one of the first things you’ll notice is that the bowls don’t travel in a straight line — they curve dramatically across the green. This leads to the most common beginner question:
Why do lawn bowls curve?
Lawn bowls curve because they are not perfectly round. One side of every bowl is intentionally made slightly larger or heavier than the other. This uneven weight distribution is called the bias, and it causes the bowl to arc to one side as it rolls.
Manufacturers engineer the bias so players can choose how sharply or gently they want their bowls to turn. Some models have a big sweeping arc; others have a gentler, narrow line.
How Does the Bias Work?
The bias is built into the bowl during manufacturing by adding weight to one side. This means:
- As the bowl slows down, the heavier side pulls it into a curved path.
- Faster bowls curve less; slower bowls curve more at the end of their travel.
- Different brands produce different bias shapes and strengths.
This is why experienced bowlers often talk about “knowing their line” — understanding how their specific model behaves on different greens.
Do All Lawn Bowls Curve the Same Amount?
No. Bowls vary by:
- Bias strength, depending on the model and brand.
- Size and weight, which affect control and stability.
- Surface conditions — dry, slow, wet, or running greens all influence the arc.
Are All Lawn Bowls the Same Shape?
While they appear round, bowls are actually precision‑engineered asymmetric spheres. The difference is small but deliberate, and it is this shape variation that causes the predictable curved roll.
Why Is the Curve Important in the Game?
The curve isn’t just a quirk — it’s fundamental to the strategy of lawn bowls.
Players use the bias to:
- Navigate around obstacles (other bowls in the head).
- Approach the jack from the safer side.
- Control the finish, allowing the bowl to bend in towards the target.
Mastering the curve is what separates beginners from experienced bowlers — and it’s one of the reasons the sport is so strategic and satisfying.
Do Bowls Curve the Same indoors on carpets and outdoors on grass or all-weather greens?
Not exactly.
The same make and model of bowl will curve markedly more on an indoor or all-weather green than outdoors on grass. On carpet and all-weather surfaces there are no blades of grass pushing against the side of the bowl as it travels towards the jack, so it is free of resistance and will fully exploit its natural tendency to curve.
Some bowlers actually use different sets of bowls, one set for indoors and one for outdoors. That’s because the very widest models of bowls make it difficult for the bowler to keep it on the green when bowling on a rink with a ditch to the left or right – the bowl falls into the ditch before the bias is able to curve it back in towards the jack. Most club bowlers will make do with just one set, choosing a model with a less pronounced bias that works perfectly well indoors or out – a so-called ‘mid-biased’ bowl.
What Should a Beginner Do to Get Used to the Curve?
Here are some simple tips:
✔ Practise one model at a time
Switching between biases makes learning harder. Don’t jump between different models. If you have just joined a club and they have many sets of bowls for you to practice with, try and use the same set every time you play – make a note of the model name, size and serial number to be sure you get the same set every week until you are ready to buy your own.
✔ Start with draw shots
In other words, don’t try and fire the bowl directly at the jack when you get started with the sport. These so-called driving shots can play an important part in match play, but are extremely difficult to execute. Rather, focus on sending your bowl out along the bias line and enjoy watching it curve back in towards the jack, ideally giving it a little kiss on arrival. Understanding the curve, or bias, of your bowls is the key to becoming a better player
✔ Watch other players’ lines
Seeing the path others take may help you predict your own in a general sense. However, every model of bowl takes a slightly different line, and the line can also be influenced by the way a bowler holds and delivers their bowl, so the most important information is to know the line your own bowls take.
✔ Use a consistent delivery action
Consistent and repeatable action is important in bowls. Work with your coach to decide whether you are going to bowl from a statis position, or take a step forward from the mat. Once you identify a comfortable delivery process, try and follow it for every delivery.
