This course is for those who are thinking of switching from more energetic sports to lawn bowls, and those who have been bowling a bit, but would like to improve.
Ken Watson has been teaching at WEA since 2017.
Ken first discovered Lawn Bowls in 2009 through Night Owls bowls, before moving into pennant competition in 2015. Since then, Ken has become a highly accomplished player, with achievements including Men’s Singles Club Champion in 2018 and 2020, Consistency Winner in 2017, Mixed Pairs Champion in 2020, Men’s Pairs Champion in 2022, Handicap Singles Champion in 2022, and Veteran’s Sets Play Champion in 2024.
A Bowls Australia Accredited Club Coach since 2017, Ken combines technical skill with a supportive coaching style that helps players at every level build confidence and improve their game. His courses are held at the Kensington Marryatville Bowling Club, a historic club established in 1919 and now set within the beautiful Kensington Gardens Reserve. Students can look forward to learning in a welcoming environment, with expert guidance from a passionate and experienced coach.
Lawn Bowling
Course Description
Lawn bowling is a sport that combines precision, strategy, and relaxation, making it a popular activity for people of all ages. While its origins date back to ancient times, lawn bowling as we know it today gained widespread popularity in the 19th century, especially in countries like England and Australia.
In Australia, lawn bowls is a beloved pastime, with over 2,000 clubs and more than 500,000 participants, making it one of the most popular sports in the country. The game is enjoyed both socially and competitively, providing a fun way to stay active and engaged with friends, family, or teammates.
In this practical course, you'll learn the key skills to get started in lawn bowling, including how to select the right bowls, properly grip them, and execute a consistent bowling action. You'll also gain an understanding of the game’s strategy, including how to adjust for the bowl’s bias and select the appropriate weight for each shot. Along with the basic rules and roles of players in a team, you’ll practice drills to help you improve your technique and develop your game.
By the end of the course, you'll feel confident playing in a team, communicating using the correct terminology, and enjoying the many benefits of lawn bowling, from mental focus to physical coordination.
While this course is designed for absolute beginners, those who are not beginners will also benefit from revisiting the basics of the game.
Course Structure
After a brief introduction, this hands-on course will cover the following topics:
- The aim of the game
- Health and safety – simple routines to be safe when playing bowls
- Equipment used and how to look after it
- Selecting the correct size bowls
- The grip – how to hold a bowl
- Basics of the bowling action
- The bias of the bowl – selecting the right line to bowl allowing for the curved trajectory
- Bowling with the right “weight” to bowl the desired length
- How a game is played
- The roles of bowlers in a side
- The language of bowls – terminology used
- Drills and practice methods to improve your bowling
- Different types of shots (and shot selection for those who progress quickly).
Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course participants will be able to:
- Select an appropriate set of bowls
- Hold the bowl with a suitable grip
- Deliver a bowl with a consistent action with a reasonable chance of achieving the desired outcome for that shot
- Understand the role of each player in a side
- Play a game as part of a team
- Communicate with bowlers using appropriate terminology
- Approach practice purposefully in order to improve
- Be safe on the bowling green.
Course Venue
The course is conducted at the Kensington Marryatville Bowling Club, which is located at the corner of The Parade and East Terrace, Kensington Gardens. Car parking is available along East Terrace.
Course Requirements
Participants will need to wear flat soled shoes and are advised to apply sunscreen, wear a hat and bring a bottle of water.
The club can provide bowls of a range of sizes, or participants are welcome to bring their own set of bowls if they prefer.
For those with physical limitations (eg; back, hip or knee problems) that make “normal” bowling out of the hand difficult, the club can provide a bowling arm that should enable participation.
Student Testimonials
“An excellent course delivered sensitively so as to build confidence.”
“I was amazed at how much I learned and improved and am now looking forward to joining the club.”
“I wish I did this course years ago.”
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