Author: David Whitt

NEW MEMBER’S BOOKLET
Welcome to Kings Park Bowling Club, Bournemouth
Thank you for choosing to be part of our amazing membership. Whether you are new to bowling or an experienced player from another club - all are welcome!
This booklet will help you understand the history of our club, what being a member of Kings Park BC has to offer, the benefit bowls will have on your life, and so much more! All of which is particularly helpful if you are new to bowls!

Contents
Our History - page 3
What Kings Park BC has to offer - pages 4-6
Membership - page 7
Website - page 8
Social Media & Club Address - page 9
What our members say about lawn bowls - pages 10-11
5 reasons why you should join Kings Park BC - pages 12-13
Finding the right bowls for you - page 14
Looking after your bowls - pages 15-16
Bowls Etiquette - pages 17-19
Practice Drills - pages 20-22
FAQ’s - page 23
Rounding Up - page 24

Our History
Kings Park Bowls and Social Club was formed in 1905, in Kings Park, which was originally part of Enclosure Allotment 59 that the Council bought from Sir George Meyrick for £65 per acre by authority of the Bournemouth Corporation Act 1900.
The park covers some 86 acres and is a centre for sports activities in the Bournemouth area. Located within one of Bournemouth’s biggest parks, the site is set between facilities for cricket, football and athletics. Premier League footballing side AFC Bournemouth play at the stadium next to our club!
The green opened in 1905 and has been an ever present in the local league structures for over 120 years.
Today, we are proud to consider ourselves a dynamic and forward-thinking club. We have male and female members young and old, and everything in-between!
At Kings Park Bowls Club, we are proud to:
Remember The Past - Enjoy The Present - Shape Our Future

What Kings Park BC has to offer
Our Green is available to use for roll-ups throughout the playing season, with the exception of during bad weather, when the Green may be closed, and when league and friendly fixtures are being played. All members can gain access to the Green during daylight hours, and all equipment to play is available without having to use any keys or locks.
We have our own Club Competitions, with a whole range of different types of games to play. If joining at the start of the season, you will be able to play in as many of these as you wish, for a small fee of £1 per competition. Members of the club can help you find a partner so you can play in the pairs, or you could be put on a reserves list, should you wish.

The club are represented in the Bournemouth & District Bowling Association (B&DBA), where we have many strong and competitive teams.
B&DBA Saturday Premier (Afternoon League)
Kings Park - Section 2
Kings Park A - Section 4 (2024 Champions of Section 5)
B&DBA Saturday Triples (Morning League)
Kings Park Spitfire - Section 1
B&DBA Tuesday Triples (Evening League)
Kings Park Lancasters—Section 1 (2025 Section 1 - Runners-Up)
Kings Park Hurricanes—Section 2
Kings Park Vulcans—Section 6
Kings Park Mosquitos—Section 6 (2025 Section 7 - Runners-Up)

In addition to the internal competitions and league games, our club also enter B&DBA, Hampshire and Bowls England competitions.
Many clubs from different counties decide to spend their summer on tour in Bournemouth, choosing Kings Park BC to play in a friendly fixture. These are great fun occasions, and an opportunity for our non-experienced bowlers to play and develop their game, alongside a whole mix of abilities.
In late summer, after the leagues have finished, we continue to meet at the club on Tuesday night for Candlelight Bowls - a great social game of bowls with a twist!
Away from the Green, we have a newly refurbished clubhouse (2025), with a fully stocked licenced bar, changing rooms, kitchen and a spacious area for table and chairs. If you enjoy games, you can choose from snooker, pool, darts or cards, with many of our social members enjoying a game of crib. We also dish up hotdogs after Tuesday evening games, and a sizzling BBQ on those lovely warm summer afternoons after a game.
Throughout the year, social events are held. Members are always invited to join in with their families for Presentation and Quiz nights, Fish & Chip suppers, Race Nights, and many more.

Membership
If you like what you’ve read so far, we hope you will want to become a member, if you are not already!
We have a number of membership options to suit all needs, and we are one of the cheapest clubs to join in the area:
Full membership £180
Student Membership £130
Associate Membership £40
A full or student membership allows you to participate in everything with the club. An associate (or social) member, has the use of the facilities, but do not play in competitions or league games.
There is also the chance to pay as you play, if you know you will not be able to play many games to justify full membership.
Are finances a struggle? Don’t worry, we can discuss options with you, such as monthly payments.
And the best news…
ALL new members who are new to the game pay for their first season and get their second season free! That’s right! A full membership for £180 will cover two seasons!!! Incredible value for money!!!
Please contact us to arrange payment

All photos in this booklet can be found on our website, where you will be able to keep up-to-date with everything at the club.
> kingsparkbc.co.uk

Keep in touch even when you are not at the club!
We have our website for all to view, and also a Facebook group for our members to interact, and a Facebook page for everyone to see.
Our Facebook Group
Our Facebook Page - PLEASE LIKE AND SHARE!
Are you on WhatsApp?
Our most up-to-date information is shared on our WhatsApp group chat. Keep in touch and share your thoughts and stories with other members, interacting and feeling part of the Kings Park Bowls Club family.
Our Club Details
Address Kings Park BC, Central Drive, Bournemouth, BH1 4NN.
Phone 01202 398519; Secretary 07584 088857
Email secretary.kingsparkbc@gmail.com

What do our members say about lawn bowls?

The benefit of bowls
5 Reasons Why You Should Join KINGS PARK BowlING Club
There are advantages to joining any type of sporting or social club and lawn bowls is no exception. It can be a fantastic way to meet new people, learn some new skills and enjoy some fresh air. Lawn bowls is one of the most iconic sports in England and it has been enjoyed by multiple millions around the globe for centuries. In fact, there are indications that a version of the sport was being played as far back as 5000 BC.
This article will focus on some top reasons why you should consider taking up lawn bowls and joining a club, so let’s get started.
Bowls is:
A competitive sport
Skilful, tactical and addictive
Good exercise - both physical and mental
Sociable - a game for all ages and abilities
1. Lawn Bowls Is Not Just for the Elderly
Years ago there was a stigma attached to lawn bowls. Younger people assumed you only took up the sport when you were too old to play anything else. True, lawn bowls have always been popular with seniors, but in the modern world, even teenagers are having a go and everyone in between. Lawn bowls is a relaxed and technical sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, so don’t let age stand in your way. Enjoy some lawn bowls today.
2. You’ll Make Loads of New Friends
Kings Park Bowls Club members are all about getting together with other like-minded people and participating in a fun sport. Because of the very diverse age group that now plays lawn bowls, you’ll make awesome new friends, both young and old.
Not only will you meet new people while out on the bowling green, but you can socialise with them inside the club as well; where you can have a few beers or enjoy a meal together. All social clubs give you access to meeting new people. Sporting clubs are no exception.

3. Learn New Skills and Have Fun
While lawn bowls isn’t a physically challenging sport by any means, it can be a very skilled and technical one. At a glance, it might look relatively easy, but when you actually play the game, it’s much harder than it appears. So, if you think you won’t be challenged enough when you take up this sport, think again.
You’ll learn some great new skills when you indulge in one of England’s favourite past-times and you’ll have a lot of fun in the process. At the end of the day, having a good time is the name of the game. 4. If You’re Competitive You Can Join Tournaments
Not everyone who participates in lawn bowls wants to get competitive and serious about it, but if that’s your mindset, then there are plenty of competitions and tournaments to get involved in to pit your skills against other serious players.
Naturally, you’ll want to master the game a little before you take that step, but the option is there if you want to become a more ‘professional’ player and take the game seriously. 5. There Are Health Benefits
For starters, if you’re playing outdoor bowls, you are getting some fresh air and sunshine. This is always good for your health, so long as you wear some sun protection.
Lawn bowls help improve your coordination and self-esteem, as it’s mentally stimulating as much as physically.
Although it’s far from being a high-octane, strenuous sport, it’ll still help Improve your fitness levels, joint mobility and flexibility the more you play. This is one reason it’s always been so popular with seniors.
Because it’s a low-impact form of exercise, lawn bowls are kind to the muscles and joints whilst still getting some form of exercise in.

Finding the right bowls for you
If you are new to bowls or looking for new bowls to improve your game, there are various places you can go to and things to try.
Firstly, know what size bowl you should use. We have a number of club bowls for you to try and experience what the bowls are like, where you could find something to suit you. There are different makes of bowls, such as Aeros, Drakes Pride and Hensilite, and each company offer a wide range of different types of bowl, depending on whether you prefer a straighter or wider line when drawing the bowl.
If you find something you like in the shed, you are welcome to them. Some members may also have a set of bowls for sale at a small cost.
Once you know the type and size of bowls you require, you could think about purchasing some new or second-hand ones. Social media is a good place to start, such as Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace (local) or e-Bay. You could also buy bowls direct from the company that make them. There is a wide range of second-hand bowls at Southbourne BC, another local club, where you can try on the green before purchasing. Should you wish to view what is on offer, you can contact Roly on 07834 594921 to arrange a viewing.
The game has modernised in recent years, and you’ll find many players with coloured bowls. These make it easier to tell your bowls from others when looking from a distance, but could also stand out more if you bowl a wrong bias!
The going rate for a new set of 4 bowls is around £350-400, but you could pick up a very good condition set for around £200.

Looking after your bowls
1. Use a wooden toothpick to clean the grips. Many lawn bowls have grips to help you hold the bowls more easily during gameplay. Dirt and grime can quickly build up in the grips, especially if your bowls have ring or groove grips. Before washing your bowl, chip any stubborn dirt out of the grips with a large wooden toothpick or skewer.
Don’t use a metal toothpick or skewer to clean the grips. This could scratch up your bowls.
2. Wash the bowls in hot water with mild detergent. Once you’ve scraped any excess dirt out of the grips, soak your bowls in hot water and soap or a gentle detergent, such as laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid. Rub the bowls with your hands or a microfiber washcloth to dislodge any stubborn dirt. You can also use a steam cleaner, like those used to clean bowling balls, as an alternative to washing with soap and water.
3. Use mineral spirits to clean off tougher dirt. You can remove stubborn grease, dirt, and stains by wiping your bowls with a cloth soaked in mineral spirits. You may wish to do a spot test first to make sure the mineral spirits don’t damage the paint on your bowls.
Mineral spirits are also known as white spirit, mineral turpentine, or turpentine substitute. You can purchase mineral spirits at a hardware or home improvement store.
4. Dry the bowls with a microfiber towel. Once your bowls are clean, you can either air dry them or wipe them dry with a soft towel or polishing cloth. If you use a towel, choose one made of soft microfiber so that you don’t scratch up your bowls. After the bowls are dry, polish them with some bowl polish and a polishing cloth, then put them away in their bag or carrier.

1. Get a specialized bowls polish. There are a variety of bowls polishing products on the market, including Grippo, Multigrip, and Crack-A-Jack. Purchase one of these products and apply it to your bowls to remove minor scratches and restore your bowls’ finish and shine.
2. Apply the polish with a soft polishing cloth. Following the directions on the bowls polish packaging, rub the polish into the surface of your bowls with a soft cloth. You can purchase a specially made bowls polishing cloth or sleeve, or use any general-purpose microfiber polishing cloth. If too much polish builds up on the bowls, you can wash it off with soap and warm water. Reapply the polish once the bowls are dry.
3. Polish your bowls at least once a week. Your bowls will look their best and be easier to grip if you polish them regularly. Polish your bowls at least once a week, or do it after every game to protect your bowls from abrasive grimy buildup.
You should also polish your bowls every time you wash them.
4. Buff out marks or scratches with a polishing cloth or fine steel wool. If your bowls accumulate marks or scratches, you can remove or minimize them by polishing them with a polishing cloth or sleeve. For extra stubborn scuffs or scratches, lightly rub the area with a fine steel wool (such as 0000 grade).
After buffing out a mark or scratch, polish your bowl as you normally would.
Tip: Lawn bowls can sometimes pick up colour from other bowls when they bump against each other during a game. You can usually remove these marks by washing the affected bowl in soap and water, then polishing the bowl as usual.

Bowls Etiquette
All bowlers should familiarise themselves with these rules.
In addition to the rules, a certain amount of ‘etiquette’ is normally followed, in order to make the game as enjoyable as possible for everyone. The guidelines offered here should be noted by beginners and experienced bowlers alike. There might seem to be rather a lot of points of etiquette, but they are all based on common courtesy, so they do become easy to remember.
For Bowlers and Spectators
Do not distract bowlers who are bowling towards you, by moving or walking across the end of the rink. Wait until the bowl has been delivered, then move.
It is not good etiquette to interrupt other players when they are on the green, particularly during competitive matches. If you need to speak to players it should be before or after their game.
Respect and protect the green – the Club’s most important asset.
Do nothing in your actions, words or appearance that will reflect against your Club.
Before the Game
Make sure you know the rules of the game or competition you are playing.
Know the correct dress (it will differ for different types of games) and ensure you arrive correctly dressed, with time to spare.
Ensure that jacks, mats, scoreboards and other equipment are in place ready for the beginning of the game.
During the Game
Enter and leave the green by the banks and footpaths – do not walk across other players’ rinks.
Do not drop your bowls on the green.
Do not drop litter on the green or in the ditches.
Don’t sit on the bank – it causes unwanted wear on the edge of the green.

Possession of the Rink’ must always be respected
“Possession of the rink shall belong to the team whose bowl is being played. The players in possession of the rink … shall not be interfered with, annoyed, or have their attention distracted in any way by their opponents.”
Stand well behind the mat or the head, keeping still and quiet while others are delivering their bowls.
Questions, information or instructions should only be shouted while you have ‘possession of the rink’ – as soon as your bowl comes to rest, ‘possession of the rink’ is transferred to the opposing player or team.
Positions
When at the head, bear in mind that some bowlers like a clear view of the rink markers. Stand behind the head, inside the rink markers, but not obscuring the central rink number.
When at the head in sunny conditions, or as the sun sets, avoid standing where your shadow is cast over the jack, making it difficult to see from the mat.
Similarly, standing directly behind a white jack in white shoes can make the jack difficult to see.
Players at the mat-end of the rink who are not delivering a bowl should stand at least 1 metre behind the mat.
Responsibilities
Follow the direction given by the ‘skip’, whether or not you agree.
Remember that the directions for the ‘skip’ are only given by the number three in rinks, or the number two in triples. Other players should not interfere, unless asked.
Results of an end
The result of each end (including measuring where required) is determined between the threes (or twos in triples). Other players should not normally be involved.
Do not disturb the head until the result of the end has been agreed.

General
Encourage, rather than criticize – no one delivers a bad bowl intentionally.
‘Call’ or shout at your own bowls by all means – but do not ‘call’ your opponents bowls to go through gaps, get ‘wrecked’, or to promote your own bowls – wishing misfortune on your opponents bowls is unsporting.
Commend good shots.
Learn to accept lucky shots, both for and against you – they will balance out in the long run. ‘Flukes are simply revelations of unrecognised opportunities’.
Shake hands. Congratulate the opposing team and offer to buy your opposite number a drink (after singles matches, your ‘marker’ should be included in the invitation). Remember that your opponent is a guest of the Club.
Ensure that jacks, mats, scoreboards and other equipment are returned to the store.
Avoid making excuses for your lack of success the topic of conversation.
A knowledge of the above will make you a better respected bowler, and will contribute towards the enjoyment of the game for everyone involved, both on and off the green.

Practice Drills
AIM
To increase the awareness and the power of Positive Purposeful Practice."I am not a naturally talented person but by practicing I achieve the best standard that I am able to" remember bowls is 70% mental and 30% practice.
Positive Purposeful Practice, This will be the part where individual problems can be studied and a remedy prescribed to enable future quality practice, having eradicated the old bad habits. Remember, if you practice bad habits your game will decline, worse still practice the same bad habits with friends and like the pox and plague you pass them on!
Involve umpires, which will help to reach higher standards within marking, measuring and etiquette, the qualities of which are so important to the game.
The following are examples of the type of practice sessions. Practice can range from delivery of the jack, sports psychology, improvement, line and length, angles, threes and skips, communication, head reading and head building.
Here are three exercises all of which are as necessary as each other. These can be practised on your own or with friends but need to be taken seriously and for that reason it is suggested to keep a score card to assist you achieve the next step in your goals that you wish to aspire to.
If you see a better bowler than you practising ask to join in, it will lift the quality of your play. So many bowlers forget to practice delivery of the jack, maybe they never play lead and then when they lose a singles match they wonder why. See exercise 1.
Positive Purposeful Practice - EXERCISE 1
ROLLING THE JACK
At the first end of a match it is advisable to roll the jack to your team's favourite length. It is wise to concentrate on and strive to win the first end as this creates early confidence. If it works stay with it, why change a winning length? Your opponents will soon alter the length when they get the opportunity, and in so doing will reveal what they consider to be their strength.
When changing length it is always advisable to alter the position of the mat as an addition to altering the length, this will involve a slight adjustment of grass for players using an object on the bank for establishing their line.
There has always been controversy as to whether the winner of the toss should take the mat. The rolling of the jack at the first end is like having an extra bowl! It gives the lead the feel of the pace of the green and is preferable to the doubtful asset of having the last bowl in perhaps a cluttered head.
On the last end it can be advantageous for a skip to have the last bowl, presupposing that neither team has been playing better than its opponents on any particular length, and that the head will not be hopelessly blocked, as often occurs on heavy greens before the last bowl is played.
If playing against inexperienced bowlers it is good tactics to have the jack positioned as near the 2m mark as possible irrespective of length, with the mat well up the green if a short end is desired. Inexperienced bowlers are usually afraid of going in the ditch and tend to drop short. If playing an experienced player with a good firm shot or drive it is advisable to leave plenty of distance between the jack and the ditch so that in the event of the jack being moved there will be ample room to draw the shot.
RHYTHM AND DELIVERY
Eight Ends - 32 Bowls
This exercise has multi uses
Finding your rhythm/timing.
Reinforcing your knowledge of your delivery action.
Exploring the green.
Using forehand and backhand so that you are equally adept on either.
METHOD
Bowl 4 bowls in the same direction aiming to be within 1 yard of the jack. Repeat exercise in the opposite direction using the other delivery hand. Repeat the same again and again.
i.e. End 1, 4 bowls forehand up the green. End 2, 4 bowls backhand down the green. End 3, 4 bowls backhand up the green. End 4, 4 bowls forehand down the green.
As always left handers reverse the procedure.
Positive Purposeful Practice - EXERCISE 3
Eight Ends - 32 Bowls
First bowl to long jack on forehand Second bowl to short jack on forehand Third bowl to long jack on backhand Fourth bowl to short jack on backhand Turn round play back the same way Long bowls should be within 1 Yard of the jack and short bowls should be within 2 feet of the jack. KEEP A SCORE OF YOUR SESSION
Exercise 3 like exercise 2 has multi uses with the Advantage of (e)
Finding your rhythm/timing.
Reinforcing your knowledge of your delivery action.
Exploring the green.
Using fore and backhand so that you are equally adept on either.
Finding techniques to assist in achieving more consistency.
DISCLAIMER
All articles contained within this webpage are for information only and should not be considered as an offering of professional advice.
Any of the information taken from this website is at your own risk and Richmond Park Bowls Club and/or the club officials, jointly or severally, will be held responsible for any outcome.

All of this stresses the importance of accurate rolling of the jack, so if you have any pretensions of being a good singles player or competent lead in any team it is imperative that regular practice at rolling the jack be carried out. The practice should include the rolling of the jack to various lengths. The best method of doing this is to take a number of jacks (without bowls) and practice rolling each jack to a different length in turn. Many a game has been lost through poor rolling of the jack.
Positive Purposeful Practice - EXERCISE 2
RHYTHM AND DELIVERY
Eight Ends - 32 Bowls
This exercise has multi uses
Finding your rhythm/timing.
Reinforcing your knowledge of your delivery action.
Exploring the green.
Using forehand and backhand so that you are equally adept on either.
METHOD
Bowl 4 bowls in the same direction aiming to be within 1 yard of the jack. Repeat exercise in the opposite direction using the other delivery hand. Repeat the same again and again.
i.e. End 1, 4 bowls forehand up the green. End 2, 4 bowls backhand down the green. End 3, 4 bowls backhand up the green. End 4, 4 bowls forehand down the green.
As always left handers reverse the procedure.
RHYTHM AND DELIVERY
Eight Ends - 32 Bowls
This exercise has multi uses
Finding your rhythm/timing.
Reinforcing your knowledge of your delivery action.
Exploring the green.
Using forehand and backhand so that you are equally adept on either.
METHOD
Bowl 4 bowls in the same direction aiming to be within 1 yard of the jack. Repeat exercise in the opposite direction using the other delivery hand. Repeat the same again and again.
i.e. End 1, 4 bowls forehand up the green. End 2, 4 bowls backhand down the green. End 3, 4 bowls backhand up the green. End 4, 4 bowls forehand down the green.
As always left handers reverse the procedure.
Positive Purposeful Practice - EXERCISE 3
Eight Ends - 32 Bowls
First bowl to long jack on forehand Second bowl to short jack on forehand Third bowl to long jack on backhand Fourth bowl to short jack on backhand Turn round play back the same way Long bowls should be within 1 Yard of the jack and short bowls should be within 2 feet of the jack. KEEP A SCORE OF YOUR SESSION
Exercise 3 like exercise 2 has multi uses with the Advantage of (e)
Finding your rhythm/timing.
Reinforcing your knowledge of your delivery action.
Exploring the green.
Using fore and backhand so that you are equally adept on either.
Finding techniques to assist in achieving more consistency.
DISCLAIMER
All articles contained within this webpage are for information only and should not be considered as an offering of professional advice.
Any of the information taken from this website is at your own risk and Richmond Park Bowls Club and/or the club officials, jointly or severally, will be held responsible for any outcome.

Practice Drills
Positive Purposeful Practice - EXERCISE 3
Eight Ends - 32 Bowls
First bowl to long jack on forehand Second bowl to short jack on forehand Third bowl to long jack on backhand Fourth bowl to short jack on backhand Turn round play back the same way Long bowls should be within 1 Yard of the jack and short bowls should be within 2 feet of the jack.
KEEP A SCORE OF YOUR SESSION
Exercise 3 like exercise 2 has multi uses with the Advantage of (e)
Finding your rhythm/timing.
Reinforcing your knowledge of your delivery action.
Exploring the green.
Using fore and backhand so that you are equally adept on either.
Finding techniques to assist in achieving more consistency.
DISCLAIMER
All articles contained within this booklet are for information only and should not be considered as an offering of professional advice.
Would you like help with some of these drills or others like these to improve your game? Speak to another member within the club. Anyone unable to join in should be able to point you in the direction of someone who can!

FAQ’s
Q. Do you still play in the rain or thunderstorms?
A. It depends on the level of the rain. Most people have waterproofs that can be worn but if the rain gets too hard, people will come off the green. The match may restart if the rain stops or a result may be agreed.
Q. If I want to practice, can I book a rink or check that one is available?
A. Yes, there is a rink book in the clubhouse, however, you could risk that the Green is open and has a spare rink to use and play without booking, but you would be responsible for getting out and putting away all equipment you use.
Q. Do I need to wear special shoes?
A. Yes, flat bottomed shoes must be worn on the green to prevent damage. They do not need to be specific bowls shoes. If you have any doubt, speak to the green steward or another member, if one is available.
Q. What is the best way to progress and get better?
A. We have members who are happy to develop your game with coaching sessions and practice, whether alone or with others. There are plenty of 'roll ups' (unstructured practice sessions) available in which members can hone their skills too. Also, talking to more experienced members as they've probably had any issue before!
Q. How many times a week can I play?
A. Basically put, as many times as you like! There are plenty of opportunities with 'roll ups', internal competitions, league matches and other friendlies. There are times that local clubs ask for help to form a rink for one of their friendlies, so this provides a chance to play at other locations too.

So that’s us! We hope you liked what you have read. If you have any questions at all, please ask - there is always someone who will know the answer.
We can’t wait to see you play and develop your game at Kings Park BC, and are thankful you have chosen to join us.
We want you to feel at home at our club - one which we hope you’ll be a member of for many years to come.
There are always opportunities to get involved at the club too, so if you have a special talent or skill that our club would benefit from, or time to commit to more prominent roles, such as being on the committee, where you could have a vital role with future decision making, we would love to know.
Our playing season runs from April to October, although the season is bookended by our Spring Meeting in February, and our AGM in November. These meetings we encourage all our members to attend, where important information is shared and decisions made by its members for the benefit of our club.
Thank you for taking the time to read this booklet!

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