Walking into a bowls shop or browsing online can feel a little overwhelming when you see the sheer number of brands available. Henselite, Taylor, Drakes Pride, Aero... they are all fantastic names in the sport, but which one is right for you? I’ve been selling, and playing with, these bowls for over 30 years, and I can tell you that each brand has its own unique character and philosophy.
Choosing a brand isn't just about picking a colour or an emblem. It’s about finding a set of bowls whose design, feel, and performance characteristics match your delivery, your home green, and your ambitions in the sport. It's a very personal choice, and one of the most exciting ones you'll make!
This guide will break down the giants of the UK bowls scene. We’ll compare what makes each brand special, look at their most popular models, and help you figure out which one might be the perfect fit for your game.
The Big Four: An Overview
While there are several great manufacturers, four brands dominate the greens in the UK. Each has a loyal following for very good reasons.
- Drakes Pride: A historic English brand known for quality, tradition, and a huge range of models for every type of player and surface.
- Taylor Bowls: A prestigious Scottish brand famous for its innovation, precision engineering, and models favoured by numerous world champions.
- Henselite: An Australian powerhouse and one of the oldest names in the game, renowned for its consistency and legendary models that have stood the test of time.
- Aero Bowls: A modern, dynamic Australian brand that has taken the market by storm with its focus on pin-point accuracy and advanced manufacturing.
Let's dive into the details of what each brand offers.
Drakes Pride: The English Stalwart
If you’re playing at a club in England, you will see Drakes Pride bowls everywhere. They are a Liverpool-based company with a fantastic reputation for quality craftsmanship and offering a bowl for literally everyone.
- Bias Profiles: Drakes Pride offers a comprehensive range from the very tight running ‘Fineline’ to the wide-swinging ‘Professional’ model, which is a legend on outdoor greens. Their 'd-tec' model provides a popular mid-bias line.
- Popular Models:
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- Professional: A phenomenally popular and versatile outdoor bowl. It has a wider bias, making it ideal for slower UK greens where you need the bowl to 'take more grass'.
- XP: A dual-purpose bowl with a mid-bias trajectory that performs brilliantly both indoors and on faster outdoor surfaces.
- Grip Options: Drakes Pride is famous for its ‘Channel Grip’, which is a deep, comfortable grip that gives players incredible confidence in all weather conditions. They also offer standard ring grips.
- Price and Position: They offer exceptional value, with models spanning from affordable entry-level sets to those used by top professionals. A fantastic choice if you want top quality without the highest price tag.
Who does Drakes Pride suit? Players who value tradition, reliability, and want a huge range of options. The 'Professional' model is almost a rite of passage for new outdoor bowlers. You can browse the full range of Drakes Pride bowls here.
Taylor Bowls: The Innovator's Choice
Made in Glasgow, Taylor Bowls has a reputation for precision and innovation. They were one of the first to use computer-controlled lathes in their manufacturing and have been pushing the boundaries ever since. Many World Champions have lifted a trophy using a set of Taylors.
- Bias Profiles: Taylor offers a finely-tuned range. Their most popular models tend to sit in the mid-to-narrow bias range, making them exceptionally popular for indoor and faster outdoor play.
- Popular Models:
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- Ace: A truly iconic model. The Ace has a mid-bias line with no hook at the finish, making it incredibly predictable. It’s a superb all-round bowl for both indoor and outdoor surfaces.
- Vector VS: A narrow-bias bowl perfect for fast greens and indoor carpets. It has a very flat finishing line, ideal for drawing to the jack with minimal fuss.
- Grip Options: Taylor is well known for its innovative 'Xtreme Grip,' a deep, hollowed-out grip that many players find gives them the ultimate feeling of control. They also offer Half-Pipe and Progrip options.
- Aesthetics: Taylor often leads the way with colours and designs, offering a massive array of stunning speckled and striped colour combinations.
Who does Taylor suit? Players looking for precision, predictability, and a bowl that feels at home on modern, faster greens. The Ace is a brilliant choice for someone wanting one set to use everywhere. Check out the latest Taylor Bowls models here.
Henselite: The Australian Legend
As one of the oldest and most successful brands in the sport's history, Henselite is a name synonymous with bowls. This Australian company perfected the plastic composite bowl and their products are known for their unwavering consistency.
- Bias Profiles: Henselite offers a classic range, with models that have been trusted for generations. Their bias lines are known for being smooth and reliable.
- Popular Models:
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- Tiger Pro / Tiger II: A very popular mid-bias range that is stable in the wind and performs well on a variety of surfaces. A fantastic, versatile choice.
- Classic II: A wider-bias bowl with a traditional arc and a strong finish. It's a favourite for outdoor players on greens that are medium-paced or slower, and it’s been a best-seller for decades for a reason!
- Grip Options: Henselite offers a comfortable ‘Series C Grip’ which is a standard ring grip. They also offer a Mega Grip, which has deeper indentations for extra purchase.
- Warranty & Support: Henselite bowls are known for their durability and quality, and the brand has a fantastic reputation for standing by its product.
Who does Henselite suit? Players who want a bowl with a proven track record. If you value consistency and a smooth, predictable finish, Henselite is a brand you can trust completely. See the legendary Henselite bowls range here.
Aero Bowls: The Modern Precision Tool
Aero Bowls are a newer Australian brand, but they have made a massive impact in a short space of time. Their unique selling point is their precision manufacturing, which they claim makes them the most accurate bowls on the market.
- Bias Profiles: Aero bowls are designed to have the same line every time, with no hook. Their models cover the full spectrum of lines, from the tight Optima to the wider GrooVe.
- Popular Models:
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- GrooVe: The original Aero model and their most popular outdoor bowl. It has a mid-to-wide bias, designed to be perfect for UK greens.
- Optima: A narrow-bias bowl that is a superstar on indoor carpets and very fast outdoor greens. It has a tight line and a very flat finish.
- Grip Options: Aero is famous for its patented ‘Z Scoop’ grip, a comfortable and effective grip that is unique to the brand.
- Price and Position: Aero positions itself as a premium, high-precision brand. Their prices reflect this, but owners will tell you the accuracy is worth every penny.
Who does Aero suit? The player who craves accuracy and a modern feel. If you want a bowl with a very predictable line and a flat finish, Aero is an incredible choice. Explore the precision of Aero Bowls here.
How to Choose the Right Brand for You
So, with all that information, how do you decide? Here’s a simple checklist:
- Where do you play most? If you're mainly an outdoor bowler on a medium-paced green, a Drakes Pride Professional or Henselite Classic II could be perfect. If you're mostly indoors, a Taylor Vector VS or Aero Optima might be a better fit.
- What's your position? Lead players often prefer a narrower bowl for drawing accuracy, while skips might want a wider-swinging bowl to get around cluttered heads.
- What feels good? This is the most important factor! If you can, try holding bowls from different brands. Pay attention to the grip and how the bowl sits in your hand. The one that feels most comfortable is often the right one for you.
Ultimately, there is no single "best" brand—only the best brand for you. All four of these manufacturers produce world-class bowls, and you can't go wrong with any of them. Take your time, do your research, and get ready to fall in love with your new set!