Lawn Bowls For Fun - 11 - Measuring for beginners.

[@charleskiwi1642]

Nice clear instructions Alec, thank you.

[@LawnBowlsforFun]

Thanks for the reply. Glad it was helpful!

[@johnalfredpreece1250]

Cheers Alex been watching you started bowls at age 68 t y for your videos some can't find but clear and friendly comment good on year pal keep safe

[@LawnBowlsforFun]

Thanks John. Good luck with your bowling. It is a lovely sport.

[@Chandransingham]

Very informative. Good explanations. Thanks, Alec.

[@LawnBowlsforFun]

Thanks Sydney, I appreciate the comments. 👍

[@Chandransingham]

@@LawnBowlsforFun I have approached a local bowling club for free trials to test out.

[@LawnBowlsforFun]

@@Chandransingham great, let us know how you get on. 👍

[@Chandransingham]

@@LawnBowlsforFun Did my first trial on 21st Aug 2022. It was good. My hands are small and I am aged; 80 next birthday. My right hand is weak. Size 2 ball took me to a good short length. Practically impossible to do full length at the moment. But tutor/volunteer was able to get full length with size 5 ball. I have asked for Size 00 at the next trial to see if I can reach the full length. Enjoyed it very much so far. My other sport is golf; 4 times a week.

[@LawnBowlsforFun]

@@Chandransingham well done. Sounds like you had a good first session. Don’t worry about length, it will come in time, but worth coming down to 00, that could help a lot. I use 1’s but used to use 3’s but going down two sizes haloed a lot, especially in wet conditions. Let me know how you get on. 👍

[@wrus9]

Great presentation. Really appreciated. Many thanks

[@LawnBowlsforFun]

You are welcome!

[@jonthedap25]

Plenty of detail. Thank you.

[@LawnBowlsforFun]

Glad it was helpful!

[@steveknight6329]

Good Instructions and Tips.. many thanks

[@LawnBowlsforFun]

Thanks Steve, appreciate the comment.

[@stephenchurch9563]

Thanks Alec, clear instructions. Just wondering on anyones thoughts about using an App on your mobile phone, I have uploaded one which if you hold the phone over the jack, it then takes an image which then you can measure the distance of the balls, Ive used it in a friendly game to test the accuracy and seems ok, I’m sure this method would not be allowed in a professional game

[@LawnBowlsforFun]

I have seen that too, but only in a roll up, not a proper game. I think it is not allowed, as bowls tape measures must be used in all measuring. Maybe an umpire will see this and reply too.

[@jeremybeadleslefthand480]

Hi Alec, at my club I was informed that it is frowned upon to use steel tape measures because they can be easily manipulated. Is that true?

[@LawnBowlsforFun]

Hi Jeremy, I have not seen that myself, and I don't see how that could be the case.I think if that was a common thing they would stop making them. Although I must admit, I rarely see them these days.

[@jeremybeadleslefthand480]

@@LawnBowlsforFun if you haven't heard it in 35 years Alec, then I am more likely to believe you than some at the club 🙂 And exactly, they wouldn't still be sold in shops! Between you, Lachlan Tighe and a local County Coach, I've had the best start in bowls that I could have ever asked for. The video series has been great. Could you make a video about reading the head please?

[@LawnBowlsforFun]

@@jeremybeadleslefthand480 It is so good to hear you are doing so well. 👍 and thanks for the comments.

[@carlowood9834]

I came here to see what EXACTLY determines the distance between the jack and a bowl... and I'm sorry to say that after watching this, I still don't know :(. For example, is the distance the shortest distance between any two points on the jack and bowl? In that case the line piece between those points could be not horizontal. Also, by pressing the tape case on the mat, the first part IS horizontal - which makes it weird to wave the cord or tape around in a non-horizontal way. When the jack was in the ditch, you even measured the distance with a kink in the cord: going around the actual edge of the ditch- that wasn't a straight line at all, while the other bowl was measured using a straight line. That doesn't feel very fair to me.

[@LawnBowlsforFun]

Hi, Thanks for the question. A good one too. The distance between the jack and the bowl is the shortest distance to any part of the bowl. The measure is always at the same point on the jack, as the fixed point on the tape measure is always centre on the jack. However, with the bowl it is not so easy because of the shape of the bowl and how it sits on the green, so the point of the measure (at the bowl end) must be moved around to determine which part of the bowl you are measuring is closest to the jack. I obviously have not explained that well enough, so maybe it is something I should redo. With regard to the measure in the ditch which has the ditch edge to take into account. Yes, the bowl in the ditch when measured to a jack also I n the ditch is fairly easy at it is a straight line. However, the bowl that is still on the green has the ditch edge to contend with which makes it harder, as you cannot measure through the ditch, it has to be over the edge. This means that the bowl on the green has a slight disadvantage. Agreed, it is tough, but it is not possible to measure through a solid surface, you have to go over it. That has always been the way it is done, which may seem unfair, but is is the same for both teams and is unlikely ever to change. As I said, it is tough, but part of the game. Good questions, and thanks for both of them. 👍

[@jonesey81]

I want to buy lawn bowles not umpire

[@jeremybeadleslefthand480]

If you play no.2 in triples or no.3 in rinks you will be expected to measure, so while you may not want to umpire, you do need to learn how to measure...

[@LawnBowlsforFun]

Yes, agreed, knowledge of the game and how to measure are required at some point. The basics are fairly easy, but to get to umpire level takes a lot of work. I know most of what is required, but even I still learn new things.