Indoor vs Outdoor Bowls Guide
It’s a question I’ve heard countless times over the 30 years I’ve been in this sport: "Why won't my bowls do the same thing indoors as they do outdoors?" It’s one of the great learning curves in bowls! The simple truth is that the two environments are completely different beasts, and understanding why will make you a better, more adaptable player.
Surfaces & Conditions
The biggest factor influencing your bowl’s behaviour is the surface it’s rolling on. They might both be green, but they couldn’t be more different!
Indoor Carpets
When you step onto an indoor green, you’re playing on a perfectly controlled surface. The carpet is stretched tight, offering a fast, true, and completely dry run every single time. There’s no wind, no rain, and no quirky borrows to worry about. It’s a pure test of your delivery and ability to control a bowl at pace.
Outdoor Lawns
Oh, the great outdoors! This is where the real character of our sport comes out. The pace of an outdoor green can change from day to day, affected by everything from the morning dew and recent rain to how recently it’s been cut. You’ll have to contend with the wind, which can hold a bowl up or push it wider, and the subtle slopes and borrows that only come with a natural grass surface.
Materials & Construction Differences
A common misconception is that indoor and outdoor bowls are made of different materials. In reality, all modern bowls from top manufacturers like Drakes Pride, Taylor, and Henselite are made from the same incredibly durable composite plastic. The colour makes no difference to performance either!
The real difference comes down to the design of the bowl model itself. The specific profile, the shape of the running surface, and the bias are what manufacturers engineer to make a bowl perform a certain way.
Bias Profiles & Lines
This is where the choice becomes crucial. The "line" or "bias" is the curved path your bowl takes, and it's your main tool for navigating the green.
Indoor Bias Tendencies
On a lightning-fast indoor carpet, you don't need a huge, looping curve. That's why many competitive indoor players opt for a bowl with a narrower or tighter line. This gives them a more direct path to the jack, which is perfect for precision draw shots and controlled play on a quick surface. It’s all about taking just enough green to get to the target.
Outdoor Bias Tendencies
Out on the grass, where the pace is often slower and you might need to get around other bowls, a mid-to-wide bias is a massive advantage. This wider, more pronounced curve allows you to bend the bowl around short woods with confidence. The role you play in a team can also influence this; Leads often prefer a consistent mid-line, while Skips might want a wider-drawing bowl for creative shot-making.
Weight Choices: Standard vs Heavy
The weight of your bowl can give you a subtle but important edge depending on the conditions.
- Heavyweight Bowls: These are often the go-to for outdoor players. That little bit of extra momentum helps the bowl push through heavier grass and makes it far more stable in windy conditions.
- Standard Weight Bowls: Indoors, some players prefer a standard weight bowl as it can feel easier to control on a very fast surface. It can also reduce fatigue over a long tournament weekend. Ultimately, the best weight is the one you can control comfortably for an entire match!
Footwear & Equipment Considerations
Thankfully, most of your other gear works perfectly across both versions of the game. The most important rule is to always wear flat-soled shoes to protect the playing surface, whether it's carpet or grass. You'll still need your trusty tape measure, chalk, and markers for those close shots, and a mat is provided at every club.
Choosing One Set or Two?
So, do you need two different sets of bowls?
For casual players and most new club bowlers, the answer is no. A good quality all-round, mid-bias set will serve you brilliantly on both surfaces as you learn the game. It’s versatile enough to be enjoyable everywhere.
However, if you start to play competitively in both indoor and outdoor leagues, you will almost certainly benefit from having two dedicated sets. Having a narrower set for the carpet and a wider-drawing set for the lawn gives you the perfect tool for the job and can make a huge difference in a tight match.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use the same bowls indoors and outdoors?
Yes, of course! Especially when you are starting out. A good mid-bias set is versatile enough for both, you'll just need to adjust your aim for the different speeds.
2. Are coloured bowls different indoors?
Not at all! A coloured bowl performs identically to a black bowl of the same make and model. Their main advantage is visibility, which is just as helpful indoors as it is outdoors!
3. What bias is best for indoor league play?
Many competitive players prefer a bowl with a narrower bias for fast indoor carpets, as it provides a more direct and controllable line.
4. Do heavyweight bowls really help outdoors?
Yes, they can. Their extra momentum makes them more stable in wind and on slightly heavier greens, but only if you can control them without getting tired.
5. How much does wind affect play outdoors?
A great deal! A headwind will slow your bowl down and straighten its line, while a crosswind can either hold your bowl up or push it much wider. It's a key skill to learn!
Need Advice for Your Home Green?
I hope this has helped explain the key differences! The best way to learn is to play on both surfaces and get a feel for it yourself. If you’re unsure which bowl is right for the greens you play on, I’m always here to offer some personal advice.