I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard a player say, "The green is a completely different speed today!" And they are always right! If you're an outdoor bowler in the UK, you know that you’re not just playing against your opponent; you're playing against the weather and the green itself. I’ve played on glorious, sun-baked greens that run like glass and on heavy, rain-sodden ones where getting the bowl to the other end feels like a superhuman effort.
Adapting to these changing conditions is one of the greatest skills in bowls. It’s a challenge that can be frustrating, but mastering it is incredibly satisfying. Understanding how the environment affects your game will not only make you a better player but also help you make smarter decisions on everything from bowl selection to shot choice.
Let's break down the key environmental factors you'll face on the green and how you can learn to master them.
The Impact of Weather on Your Game
Indoor players have it easy! For the rest of us, the British weather provides an endless variety of challenges. Here’s what to look out for.
Rain, Dew, and Wet Greens
This is the most common and most impactful weather condition we face. A wet green is a slow green.
- What happens: The moisture on the grass creates more friction, dramatically slowing down your bowl. You will need to use significantly more weight to get your bowl to the jack.
- How to adapt:
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- Add Weight: Your delivery needs more power. This usually comes from a longer, more powerful backswing.
- Take a Tighter Line: Bowls tend to "stand up" more on wet greens, meaning they don't curve as much. You'll need to aim closer to the jack than you would on a dry green.
- Grip is Key: Wet bowls are slippery bowls! This is where a good grip wax and a reliable towel become your best friends. Make sure you dry your bowl and your hands before every delivery.
Battling the Wind
A windy day can turn a game of precision into a game of calculated guesswork. It affects both your line and your balance.
- Headwind (blowing against you): This will slow your bowl down, so you'll need to add more weight.
- Tailwind (blowing behind you): This will speed your bowl up. You'll need a more delicate touch and a smoother delivery to avoid sending your bowl into the ditch.
- Crosswind (blowing across the rink): This is the trickiest!
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- If the wind is blowing in the same direction as your bowl's curve (e.g., a right-to-left wind for a forehand shot), it will exaggerate the swing. You will need to take a much tighter aiming line.
- If the wind is blowing against your bowl's curve, it will hold the bowl up and prevent it from turning. You will need to take a much wider aiming line, sometimes called "borrowing the wind."
Sun, Shade, and Temperature
You might not think temperature makes a huge difference, but it really does.
- Hot, Sunny Days: A warm, dry green will be fast. Very fast! The grass becomes drier and less resistant. You will need excellent weight control and a delicate touch.
- Cold, Overcast Days: Greens tend to be slower when it's cold, as there's often more moisture in the ground and air.
- Sun vs. Shade: Be aware of how shadows fall across the green. The shady parts of the rink will hold moisture for longer and will be slower than the parts baking in the sun. This can create frustratingly inconsistent speeds on the same rink!
Reading the Green: Beyond the Weather
The characteristics of the green itself are just as important as the weather on the day.
Green Speed: Fast vs. Slow
Greenkeepers measure speed in "seconds." This refers to how many seconds it takes for a bowl to come to rest after being rolled from a specific ramp.
- Fast Greens (e.g., 14+ seconds): Often found on well-maintained club greens in summer or on indoor carpets. They require a delicate touch, and a slight misjudgement in weight can be severely punished. Narrower-bias bowls are often preferred here.
- Slow Greens (e.g., 10-12 seconds): Common at the start of the season or after heavy rain. They require more physical effort. Wider-bias bowls can be an advantage as they have more momentum to complete their turn.
Grass Length and Thatch
The condition of the grass plays a huge role.
- Grass Length: A freshly cut green will be quicker than one that is due for a trim. Longer grass creates more drag.
- Thatch: This is a layer of dead grass and organic matter that builds up under the surface. A "thatched" green can feel spongy underfoot and will be very slow.
Crown Greens vs. Flat Greens
Not all greens are perfectly level!
- Flat Greens: Most modern competition greens are designed to be as flat as possible, providing a true and consistent surface.
- Crown Greens: Many older club greens have a "crown," meaning the centre of the green is slightly higher than the edges. This has a massive impact! When playing away from the centre line, your bowl will run faster and take less green. When playing towards the centre line, it will be running "uphill" and will be slower, requiring more weight. Reading a crown green is a real art form!
Adjusting Your Equipment and Technique
You can’t change the weather, but you can change how you prepare for it.
Bowl Selection by Conditions
This is why many serious players have more than one set of bowls!
- For Slow, Heavy Greens: A bowl with a wider bias (like a Drakes Pride Professional) can be very effective. It has the momentum to keep turning even when the green is sluggish.
- For Fast, Slick Greens: A bowl with a narrower bias (like a Taylor Vector VS) is often preferred. It has a more direct line and can feel more controllable when only a delicate touch is needed.
- The All-Rounder: If you only have one set, a mid-bias bowl (like a Taylor Ace) is a fantastic compromise that will perform well on almost any surface. You can explore all these types of bowls here.
Clothing and Footwear for All Conditions
Being comfortable allows you to concentrate. Make sure your kit is up to the task.
- Waterproofs: A lightweight, breathable set of waterproofs is non-negotiable for UK bowlers.
- Layers: Wear layers that you can easily add or remove as the temperature changes throughout a match. You can find a great range of suitable bowls clothing here.
- Footwear: Your flat-soled bowls shoes are essential, but ensure they have a good grip, especially when greens are damp and slippery.
Practice Drills for Adaptation
The best way to learn is by doing. Try these drills to sharpen your adaptability:
- The Four Corners Drill: Spend five minutes before a game delivering one bowl to each corner of the rink. This forces you to play different hands and lengths, giving you a quick feel for the green's overall pace and swing.
- Weight Calibration: Simply roll the jack to different lengths. Try to stop it exactly on the front hog line, then the centre T, then the back ditch. This isolates the skill of weight control and helps you dial in your arm for the day's conditions.
Learning to read and adapt to the conditions is a journey, not a destination. It’s what makes outdoor bowls such an endlessly fascinating and rewarding challenge. The next time you step on the green, take a moment. Feel the wind, look at the grass, and truly think about how the environment will shape your game. It’s the first step to becoming a master of all conditions.