Every sport has its legends. The icons whose names are synonymous with greatness, whose unique styles have been imitated on playing fields, courts, and greens across the world. Lawn bowls is no different! I’ve been mesmerised by the skill of the top players for over 30 years, and it's a joy to watch how different personalities and techniques can all lead to championship glory.
These are the players who have pushed the boundaries of the sport. They are the artists, the tacticians, and the titans who have inspired generations of club bowlers to try a new shot or think differently about the game. Their styles are as unique as their fingerprints, proving there isn't just one "correct" way to play bowls—there's only the way that works for you.
Let's take a look at some of these famous players, celebrate what made them so special, and see what lessons we, as club players, can take from their incredible careers.
The Legends of a Golden Era
These are the players who brought bowls into the television age, becoming household names and the first true superstars of the modern game.
David Bryant: "The Maestro"
No discussion of bowling legends can begin without mentioning David Bryant CBE. For many, he is the greatest bowler who ever lived. Dominating the sport through the 60s, 70s, and 80s, Bryant's name was synonymous with victory.
- His Signature Style: Bryant was the picture of calm and concentration. His most famous trait was his trademark pipe, which he often had with him on the green. His delivery was a thing of beauty—a low, rhythmic, and incredibly repeatable action that seemed almost effortless. He was a master of the draw shot, able to place a bowl with pinpoint accuracy time and time again.
- What We Can Learn: The power of a consistent routine. Bryant's unhurried, methodical approach shows that rhythm and repetition are the keys to performing under pressure. He proved that you don’t need a flashy or powerful style to dominate; you need one that you can trust implicitly.
Tony Allcock: "The Tactician"
Following in David Bryant's footsteps, Tony Allcock MBE became the face of English bowls in the late 80s and 90s. A multiple world champion, Allcock's game was built on a foundation of supreme intelligence and tactical brilliance.
- His Signature Style: Allcock was the ultimate thinking man's bowler. He played the game like a grandmaster plays chess, always thinking two or three shots ahead. His ability to "read the head" was unparalleled, and he knew exactly when to play a defensive block, when to attempt a risky trail of the jack, or when to simply draw for shot.
- What We Can Learn: Play the scoreboard and the situation, not just the shot. Allcock teaches us that bowls is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Before you step on the mat, ask yourself, "What does the game need me to do right now?"
The Modern-Day Titans
These players have dominated the professional circuit in the 21st century, taking the sport to new levels of skill and athleticism.
Alex "Tattie" Marshall: "The Entertainer"
If there's one player who embodies the flair and excitement of modern bowls, it's Scotland's Alex Marshall MBE. A record-breaking world champion, Marshall is famous for his aggressive, attacking style and his incredible shot-making ability.
- His Signature Style: Marshall is a master of the "weight" shots. He is renowned for his blistering drives and his perfectly weighted "yard-on" shots, capable of turning an end on its head with a single bowl. He plays with passion and confidence, and he isn't afraid to take on the high-risk, high-reward shots that get the crowd on its feet.
- What We Can Learn: Confidence is a weapon. While we might not all have Marshall's driving power, we can learn from his positive mindset. Believe in your ability to play the big shots when they are needed.
Paul Foster: "Mr. Consistency"
Often partnered with Alex Marshall in one of the greatest pairs combinations the sport has ever seen, Paul Foster MBE is the perfect counterpart. While Marshall provides the explosive firepower, Foster provides the relentless, unnerving accuracy.
- His Signature Style: Foster is a drawing machine. His delivery is compact, smooth, and biomechanically flawless. He builds pressure on opponents by consistently placing his first few bowls within inches of the jack, making it incredibly difficult for them to get into the end.
- What We Can Learn: The lead bowl is everything! Foster's success is a testament to the importance of the draw shot. Master the art of drawing to the jack, and you will win more games. It’s the foundation upon which everything else is built.
The Trailblazing Women of Bowls
The women's game is more competitive and skillful than ever, producing some of the most technically gifted players in the world.
Katherine Rednall: "The Prodigy"
Katherine Rednall burst onto the scene as a teenage sensation and has become one of the most successful players of her generation. She has won multiple World Indoor Singles titles, showcasing a maturity and technical purity that is simply incredible.
- Her Signature Style: Rednall's delivery is pure silk. It’s a beautifully simple, grooved action that she can repeat under the most intense pressure. She has a wonderful touch for controlling the weight on fast indoor surfaces and a calm, unflappable temperament that belies her competitive fire.
- What We Can Learn: Simplicity is genius. Rednall’s style shows you don't need a complicated or quirky action. A simple, repeatable technique that you can trust is the fastest route to consistency and success.
Jo Edwards: "The Competitor"
New Zealand's Jo Edwards MNZM is a legend of the sport and one of the fiercest competitors to ever grace the green. With a glittering collection of World Championship and Commonwealth Games medals, her longevity and determination are an inspiration.
- Her Signature Style: Edwards combines a silky-smooth delivery with a tenacious, never-say-die attitude. She is a complete player, equally comfortable drawing with finesse or playing with weight when required. Her defining feature is her incredible mental toughness and her ability to produce her best bowls at the most critical moments of a match.
- What We Can Learn: Never give up on an end. Edwards proves that fighting for every single shot, even when you're down, can change the course of a game. Mental resilience is as important as any piece of bowls equipment.
These legends of the green show us that there are many paths to success in lawn bowls. Whether you're a tactical genius like Allcock, a power player like Marshall, or a drawing machine like Foster, the key is to find a style that suits your personality and to perfect it through practice. So next time you're on the green, think about what kind of player you want to be, and let the legends of our sport inspire you!