How to Choose Your First Set of Lawn Bowls: A Beginner's Buying Guide

Buying your first set of lawn bowls is an exciting milestone.

Owning your own bowls helps build familiarity and confidence every time you step onto the green. However, with so many sizes, models, colours and opinions available, many new bowlers end up confused before they even make a purchase.

The good news is that choosing your first set doesn't need to be complicated.

This guide explains everything you need to know before buying your first bowls, helping you make a confident decision that suits your game rather than someone else's.

Do You Need to Buy Bowls Straight Away?

Not necessarily.

Most lawn bowls clubs have sets of bowls available for beginners to borrow during coaching sessions and social bowls.

Borrowing bowls allows you to experience different sizes and weights before spending money.

Once you've decided that lawn bowls is a sport you want to continue playing, investing in your own set becomes worthwhile.

Owning your own bowls means you'll become familiar with how they feel, how they leave your hand and how they perform on different greens.

Size Is More Important Than Brand

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is choosing bowls because someone else recommends a particular brand.

The reality is that the correct size matters far more than the logo printed on the bowl.

Your bowl should feel comfortable in your hand without needing to grip it tightly.

If the bowl feels too large, you'll often squeeze it during the delivery.

If it's too small, it can feel unstable and difficult to control.

Most bowls retailers and clubs have sizing gauges available to help determine the most comfortable fit.

Don't rush this part of the process.

Comfort leads to consistency.

Don't Worry Too Much About Weight

Many beginners believe heavier bowls travel further.

In reality, lawn bowls are manufactured to strict regulations, so weight differences are minimal.

Instead of thinking about weight, concentrate on developing a smooth, repeatable delivery.

Good technique will have a much greater impact on your results than tiny differences between bowl models.

Should You Buy Expensive Bowls?

Not usually.

Many premium bowls are designed with experienced competitive players in mind.

As a beginner, your priorities should be:

• Comfort.

• Confidence.

• Consistency.

There's no advantage in spending significantly more money simply because a bowl is used by elite players.

A well-fitting bowl that suits your delivery will always outperform an expensive bowl that doesn't feel comfortable in your hand.

What About Bias?

You'll often hear bowlers talking about different bias shapes.

While different models do have varying lines to the jack, this shouldn't be your biggest concern when purchasing your first set.

As a beginner, almost every modern bowl will perform extremely well.

Learning to deliver the bowl consistently is far more important than selecting a specific bias.

As your experience grows, you'll naturally develop preferences based on the types of greens and competitions you play.

Should You Buy New or Second-Hand?

Both options have advantages.

A new set provides:

• Manufacturer's warranty.

• Latest colours.

• Perfect condition.

A second-hand set often provides:

• Excellent value.

• Lower financial commitment.

• Ideal introduction to the game.

If purchasing second-hand bowls, inspect them carefully for excessive wear or damage.

Most reputable bowls retailers can also advise whether a used set remains suitable for competition.

Don't Buy Based on Colour

Bright colours look fantastic.

However, colour has absolutely no influence on performance.

Choose a colour you'll enjoy using for years rather than following current trends.

Remember, you'll probably own these bowls for a long time.

Try Before You Buy

This is probably the most valuable advice in this guide.

Whenever possible:

• Borrow different bowls.

• Visit a bowls retailer.

• Attend demonstration days.

• Speak with experienced coaches.

Rolling several different bowls before making your decision will give you confidence that you've chosen the right size and feel.

Focus on Your Technique First

Many new bowlers believe better equipment automatically leads to better results.

The opposite is often true.

Your improvement will come from developing:

• A balanced stance.

• Relaxed grip.

• Smooth footwork.

• Repeatable delivery.

These fundamentals influence your performance far more than changing bowls.

Once you've developed solid technique, you'll be in a much better position to understand what characteristics you want from future bowls.

Buying Your First Set Should Be Enjoyable

Choosing your first lawn bowls is part of the excitement of joining the sport.

Don't feel pressured into buying the most expensive set or following someone else's preferences.

Instead, choose bowls that feel comfortable, suit your hand and give you confidence every time you step onto the mat.

As your experience grows, your understanding of equipment will naturally grow with it.

Focus on building good habits first, and your bowls will become a trusted part of your game for many years to come.

As a fairly new lawn bowler, don't believe everything you hear about what you should do. Spend your time finding what works best and what feels the best for you.

Ready to Improve Even Faster?

Buying the right bowls is only one part of becoming a better player.

Developing good technique from the beginning will have a much greater impact on your enjoyment and long-term improvement.

If you'd like personalised guidance, Lawn Bowls Coach offers online and Melbourne-based coaching designed to help new bowlers build confidence, improve consistency and avoid the common mistakes that slow progress.