What is the White Ball in Lawn Bowls Called?

Lawn Bowls is a classic game that combines skill, strategy, and a deep understanding of the game’s rules and terminologies. Central to the game is the small white ball, often seen on the green. But what exactly is this white ball called, and what role does it play in the game of lawn bowls? In this article, we will explore the significance of the white ball in lawn bowls alongside other essential aspects of the game. 

What is the Lawn Bowls Game? 

Lawn Bowls is a game wherein biased balls are rolled in such a way that they come to rest as close as possible to a smaller target ball called the “jack” or “kitty.” The lawn bowls game is usually played on a generally rectangular, level, manicured lawn, called a bowling green, constructed of either natural grass or synthetic turf. A player aims to roll his bowls closer to the jack than his or her opponent’s. It is played in a singles, pairs, triples, or fours format. The teams take turns rolling their bowls. 

In playing this game of lawn bowling, the player has to use not only physical skill but also much mental acuity since each player, when in control, has to consider the weight and bias their bowls have, exactly which the condition of the green is, and finally, where precisely the position of the jack is. The game can be played casually or competitively and is enjoyed by people of all ages worldwide. 

What are the Bowling Terminologies? 

Lawn Bowls is a game with a vast vocabulary, all of which a player needs to understand before he can play the game effectively and clearly. Here are some of the key ones to know.  

• Jack: The white ball in lawn bowls. It is the one to which players aim to get their bowls closest. The jack is a key element of the game and is used to determine the scoring. 

• Bias: The uneven distribution of weight in a bowl makes a side run from a straight line as it goes down the green. The direction and amount of bias are essential to good play. 

• End: One completed round at which all players have bowled, and the score is determined. A game consists of a set number of ends. 

• Rink: The playing area at any time. That area is divided into a number of rinks. 
• Drawn: A drawn shot is played with the intention of getting the bowl as close as possible to the jack. A drive is a powerful shot either to remove the jack or end up displacing the opponent’s bowls.

Understanding these terminologies also helps the players effectively communicate with one another and develop strategies that concern the game. Most of those strategies would circle around the white ball or the jack since players try to get their bowls as close to it as possible. 

What is a Dead End in Bowls? 

A dead end in the game of lawn bowls occurs when the jack is knocked outside the rink boundary. This could be either involuntary or deliberately done, usually after a drive shot, which intends to move the jack. In such a case, the end will generally be declared null and void, then replayed, although specific rules may vary depending on the competition or the particular club involved. 

The concept of a dead end does introduce some element of risk into the game. While attempting to knock the opponent’s bowls away or reposition the jack, great care must be taken not to create a dead end, whereby the end would need to be replaced and, therefore, lose any advantage that might have been gained. 

Why Do They Spray the Ball in Lawn Bowls? 

This could be the reason why ball spraying is, at times, related to marking bowls during lawn bowling games. After a player rolls the bowl, an official may spray the bowl with marker spray, particularly in case the bowl is near the jack. Types of sprays used for this purpose are normally applied on those bowls that appear to be close enough to come in contact with the jack during an end probably. 

Marking the bowls is supposed to indicate which ones are “alive” with respect to the jack. If a bowl has touched the jack, it will be marked to indicate that it will remain in play even if it falls into the ditch. This rule avoids arguments and disputes during a game about the status of a bowl. The white ball in lawn bowls has a special status as the jack in the game of lawn bowls, and it assists in indicating which bowls are recorded. 

Why Do They Mark the Ball in Lawn Bowls? 

Marking the ball in lawn bowls is a common practice used to indicate the bowls that have touched the jack during play. A bowl that makes contact with the jack is called a “toucher,” and it is marked with chalk or spray by an official or the player. This mark indicates that the bowl is still in play, even if it ends up in the ditch. 

Marking is essential because touchers have a special status in the game. If a marked bowl ends up in the ditch, it remains in play as long as it doesn’t go out of bounds. This rule encourages players to aim their bowls carefully and consider the position of the jack and other bowls on the green. 

What Does Jack High Mean in Lawn Bowls? 

The term “jack high” is used in lawn bowls for a bowl that has fared as far as the jack. When a bowl lies jack high, this simply means that the bowl has had perfect centering regarding the direction taken by the white ball in the game of bowls and is, therefore, lying or standing in a very good position to score points. Being jack high is advantageous because it puts the bowl in a prime position in relation to the jack, thereby increasing its chances of winning. 

Indeed, players strive for a jack-high position because if a bowl is precisely positioned on the line of the jack, it becomes very difficult for opponents to move it out of the way. This expression reveals something of the nice judgment involved in lawn bowls, for one must consider the weight and the bias of one’s bowls in order to obtain such a desirable placement. 

What Do Finger and Thumb Mean in Bowls? 

“Finger and thumb” is a lawn bowls term that refers to the style of holding and then releasing the bowl by the player. The two main grips in lawn bowls are the forehand, or finger, grip and the backhand, or thumb, grip. These grips will influence the direction of the bowl curves because of the bias. 

Forehand Grip (Finger Grip) 

When using the finger grip, the bowl is delivered with a bias, which makes it curl to the right of a right-handed player (or to the left of a left-handed player).

Thumb Grip (Backhand):

On the other hand, the thumb grip to the left requires the bowl to curve to the opposite of the left for a right-handed player or opposite to the right for a left-handed player. 

Whether the finger or thumb grip is used depends on the strategy of the player and the line that the player wants the bowl to take. Becoming adept at these grips is what enables a player to control their bowls’ direction so that they can be laid with great precision towards the jack. 

Conclusion 

Lawn bowls are dominated by the strategic white ball, or “jack,” always situated at the very center, hence controlling strategies and endings at the end. Matters of definitions and terminologies like “dead end,” “jack high,” and “finger and thumb” alongside practices like marking and spraying the bowls are important if one is to excel in the game. For casual players or serious competitors, it is the mastery of these white ball in lawn bowls aspects that will heighten the level of enjoyment and success in the game. 

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual enthusiast, understanding the intricacies of lawn bowls can significantly enhance your game. From the significance of the jack to the nuances of grip and delivery, every aspect contributes to your success on the green. To complement your passion for the sport, why not explore our range of Lawn Bowls Hoodies? Designed for comfort and style, these hoodies are perfect for both on and off the green. Looking to elevate your lawn bowls experience? Request a quote today to discover how we can assist you.