Members
Bowls is a simple game that takes no more than five minutes to get started; but more than a lifetime to get right.
The first rule of bowling at Andover Bowing Club is that you are among friends.
This page and its subpages seeks to give specifically - older and newer alike! – advice and tips and will include a glossary of bowling terms and a short, light-hearted guide to the serious business of bowls etiquette. It also includes Lesley Taylor's very helpful explanation of the roles of each player on a bowls team - thank you, Lesley.
All members should note in particular that there is a dress code for while you’re on the green. Firstly, only flat shoes can be worn to prevent any damage to the surface; and that your bowling shoes should be dedicated to bowling – wearing them ‘outside’ risks transferring disease to the grass on the green. And, secondly, if you’re representing the Club in a match, or are competing in one of our own tournaments, please wear your Club top above the waist and navy gear below it. Otherwise, for roll-ups, Club Nights and Saturday coaching sessions, casual dress is fine.
Do remember also that, when you have booked a rink on which to play a match in any of the Club's knockout competitions, you are not allowed any warm-up practice while you are waiting for your opponent to arrive. This is to prevent any unfair advantage arising from one player having greater knowledge about how the rink is playing that day; you must learn that alongside your opponent in the trial ends befoe the match kicks off.
Various sets of bowls are available within the Club – you don’t have to own, or buy, a set straight away – and advice on the other equipment you need will be made available when you join.
New members will not be playing on a team straight away but we do offer plenty of opportunities for formal and informal coaching from experienced bowlers, particularly at Club Nights, which take place on a Tuesday evening throughout the summer, and at our Saturday morning coaching sessions which are intended specifically for new bowlers.
If you are not yet a member and you know that you really ought to be, fill in the simple contact form on the 'join us' page and then keep a close eye on your inbox. As a final clincher, do note that members new to bowling get a 50% reduction on their membership fee in the first season.