What does that word mean? A glossary of bowling terms.
Green
The entire playing surface. It must be between 31 & 40 meters in the direction of play.
Rink
The playing area within specific markers. It must be between 4.3 & 5.8 meters wide.
Delivery end
The end of the rink from which bowls are currently being bowled.
Delivery
The action of bowling the bowl or jack.
Jack
The small white or yellow target ball. It must be 63-64 millimetres in diameter and weigh between 225 and 285 grams.
Mat
The rectangular rubber mat from which a bowl or jack is delivered. It must be 60 x 30 centimetres.
Head
The area around the delivered jack which is being bowled to.
End
A period of the game during which all bowls are delivered in one direction.
Shots for
The number of your bowls closer to the jack than the nearest of your opponents bowls at the end of an end.
Shots against
The number of your opponents bowls closer to the jack than the nearest of your bowls at the end of an end.
Weight
The delivery power needed for the bowl to travel between mat and head.
Line/grass
The track needed for the bowl to arrive at the desired place.
Draw
A well weighted delivery to arrive at the jack.
Light
An underweight delivery which does not reach the jack
Heavy
An overweight delivery which passes the jack.
Fire
A very heavy delivery designed to disturb the head.
Wick/glide
A delivery which slides off a delivered bowl before coming to rest.