Introduction

Bowls is also known as lawn bowls or lawn bowling. It is a sport in which players try to roll their ball closest to a smaller ball. The latter is known as a “jack” or sometimes a “kitty”. The bowls are shaped (biased), so that they follow a curved path when being rolled. This game is played either in teams or one against one.

This gentleman has travelled a long way.

The game was first played in the 13th century. The game is played on grass, although other surfaces are sometimes used. Matches are held either until one player gets to a score, or when a number of ends are played.

The game is mostly played on a bowling green, which can vary by the type of bowls being played. Whilst the game is often played outdoors, there are indoor bowling venues, and can also be played on rollable carpets. For outdoor games, this is usually on grass; however, it can also be played on cotula in New Zealand.

Signal from judge

Game of bowls in process at Ardrossan, Scotland. (Not connected with 2026 Commonwealth Games.)

Yesterday, I attended the Bowls Tournament at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Video clip of game in process

https://youtu.be/0JexWchTfpc?si=2UQh9qcpLxQAQA_-

Information on the Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games is a quadrennial international multi-sport event. This brings together athletes from across the Commonwealth of Nations, This is a political association comprising the majority of former territories of the British Empire. The games were first held as the British Empire Games in 1930. The event has since evolved through several name changes.The changes reflect the changing geopolitical landscape and gradual decolonisation of the Empire. 

English player lining up ball.

Participating Members in the Commonwealth Games

There are 56 members of the Commonwealth of Nations. However, there are 74 teams which currently participate in the Commonwealth Games as a number of dependent territories compete under their own flags. The four Home Nations of the United Kingdom also send separate teams.

Guernsey players in lock step.

Reason why 2026 Games held in Glasgow, Scotland.

In 2023 the State of Victoria, Australia, withdrew from holding the Games on cost grounds.In 2023, the City of Glasgow then stepped forward with a proposal to host the Games. Glasgow offered a streamlined, sustainable Games leveraging experience acquired from the Glasgow 2014 Games.

Judge measuring a close call.

Core Sports

There are 10 core sports spanning 215 medal events, integrated with six specific Para competitors participate with help of a ‘director’.

White line is to assist players with sight impairment.

More Information

For more information on Glasgow and sightseeing in Scotland please refer to the Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4.This book is also available via Kindle.