Hi Alec, glad to see a new video from you. I've just taken up bowls due to back problems preventing me from playing golf and have watched all of your videos several times each so far. Would just like to thank you for all of the information you've shared, it's made it really easy to pick up the basics and get involved
Further to my earlier post. What decided me to go from a 3 to a 1 was in April when our outdoor club opened, a little lady 4ft 11 and 7 stone approx ,bowling with Drake's Pride 0000s Medium weight was reaching the long jack and me 5ft 10 , 13 1/2th stone was wellying them down and mostly coming up a yard or so short.I know technique plays a big part but I coached her.
I'm a relative newbie ( 2yrs playing) Never played on grass, but I have tried a size 5 down to 00 indoors , IMHO the difference is negligible regarding the amount of effort to reach a given point on the green (carpet), although lot's of bowlers tell me different. I think your side kick Harrison hit the nail on the head or should I say "it's in your head" . I use a 0 because it's comfortable and I enjoy playing with them, so many people tell me they are too small 🥱they are coloured "speckled" ,I believe they are heavier than a black or brown bowl? your video's are unique .Thank you for making the effort to do them 👍
He did hit the nail on the head. Agreed, use a bowl you are comfortable with. I would never recommend using a larger bowl for what little advantage, (if any) it gives you.
Hi Alec loving your videos, came across them as a beginner last year and have watched all, would love to see them more often. As to this experiment scientifically would friction come into play more with the smaller diameter wood because the whole circumference comes in contact with the mat more often than the larger wood over the same distance, just a thought, this is only a rough experiment which you both demonstrated very well and at the end of the day the woods you use are down to your hand size and what fits comfortably, anyhow keep up the good work, keep bowling and stay well.
Friction does slow the bowl down, which is why on grass the bowl needs more power than on carpet. But I am not sure about the friction of a bigger bowl being more than a smaller one as I think the curvature of the bowl would only allow the same amount of surface to touch the ground whatever size you use, But I am not sure, you could be correct. I will have to look into this a little more. Great question.
What angle is the ramp set at, in relation to the jack? I take it it is not in line but offset slightly to replicate a real bowling action? Great videos, btw, have watched them all, being only a 2 year newbie. Thanks.
Yes, I line up the ramp as if it is my arm and bowl to what I think is the correct line. The angle is very small, probably only about 10 degrees. It takes a few adjustments but after a few bowls it is running the line I want. Then I just send the rest of the bowls down the ramp. Thanks for watching the vids and I am glad they have helped. :)
Another very interesting video. Some years ago there was a YT video of the same thing and they found the small bowl went through about a yard further than the others but they only used one of each size, so your video is better. One other point, I have recently gone down to a size1 from a three and find it easier to get up outdoors, my wife found the same when she went to 00s , must be because they don't sink into the green so deep?.
It may also be the fact you may be gripping the smaller bowl better. I have seen many times players struggling to hold larger bowls, but when they go down a size they improve, especially in wet conditions.
you have to repeat the exact same test outdoor!!! would love to see. i think the inertia of the heavier bowls might carry them further through the jungle?
I would love to see this test done on a heavy grass green - say 10 or 11 seconds. My theory is the lighter ones will go a bit further due to the heavier bowls sinking down into the grass.
So would I, but it is too big to transfer in my car. I think the difference would be minimal, but I would still like to try. I will try and find a solution.
Communication on the green is important, so is encouragement. I always let my team players know how far their bowl has run, short or through, as they can see the width. I always try and be encouraging in what I say. I was once told 'if you have nothing positive to say, then say nothing'. I think that is a great tip. Everyone wants to play well, but when they don't, they also don't need someone having a go at them. So even though I may despair at times, I never show it. :)
I think larger bowls can be slightly more effective if hitting smaller ones, also a larger bowl hit by a smaller one may be slightly harder to move, but it is only a very small advantage, not enough to pick a large bowl over a smaller one. I think it is more important using a bowl that is the right for your hand.
Hi my husband and I are really interested in joining our local club. We are lucky in that our club has both an indoor and outdoor facility. We are a bit nervous as we have just had a go against eachother on the local rec. I suppose we are worried because we are probably a bit rubbish. Would that be an issue if we wanted to join our club, we don't want to turn up and be kicked out. We don't want to be brilliant we just think it's a nice sport we could do together and get enjoyment from. Do we need to be bang into proper completions or can we just compete in house as it were.
@@kellymason1076 Hi Kelly. I promise you, you will never get kicked out. This summer, I have been involved with 12 new bowlers, and of course they are all different, some have learnt more quickly than others but they are all enjoying bowls and getting along fine. Some do pick it up quickly, others take longer, but there is no time limit, you just move at a pace that suits you. Any club will be happy to have you as a member regardless of your ability. I bet you are better than you think you are, so just go and get started, you will not regret it. We all have to start somewhere, we just need that first step. Let me know how you get on. 👍
Don't be silly, we and all others who started playing bowls for the first time played many wrong bias etc! So don't be put off! I still visit my club in the evening and practice most evenings! Life is a learning process and so is any sport! Good luck!
Hi Alec, your tutorial videos are a great resource. However, there is one thing I feel is a bit lacking. You use jargon in a lot of your videos. Could you do a terminology video, where you explain all the different terminologies? These include through, up, wide, narrow, weight, grass, etc. These are obviously just some that I have noticed while watching.
Hi Alec, glad to see a new video from you.
I've just taken up bowls due to back problems preventing me from playing golf and have watched all of your videos several times each so far. Would just like to thank you for all of the information you've shared, it's made it really easy to pick up the basics and get involved
Thanks for the kind comments. Glad they have helped. 👍
Very interesting experiment. Learning much from you.
Thank you! Glad you like them. :)
Further to my earlier post. What decided me to go from a 3 to a 1 was in April when our outdoor club opened, a little lady 4ft 11 and 7 stone approx ,bowling with Drake's Pride 0000s Medium weight was reaching the long jack and me 5ft 10 , 13 1/2th stone was wellying them down and mostly coming up a yard or so short.I know technique plays a big part but I coached her.
I'm a relative newbie ( 2yrs playing) Never played on grass, but I have tried a size 5 down to 00 indoors , IMHO the difference is negligible regarding the amount of effort to reach a given point on the green (carpet), although lot's of bowlers tell me different. I think your side kick Harrison hit the nail on the head or should I say "it's in your head" . I use a 0 because it's comfortable and I enjoy playing with them, so many people tell me they are too small 🥱they are coloured "speckled" ,I believe they are heavier than a black or brown bowl? your video's are unique .Thank you for making the effort to do them 👍
He did hit the nail on the head. Agreed, use a bowl you are comfortable with. I would never recommend using a larger bowl for what little advantage, (if any) it gives you.
Hi Alec loving your videos, came across them as a beginner last year and have watched all, would love to see them more often. As to this experiment scientifically would friction come into play more with the smaller diameter wood because the whole circumference comes in contact with the mat more often than the larger wood over the same distance, just a thought, this is only a rough experiment which you both demonstrated very well and at the end of the day the woods you use are down to your hand size and what fits comfortably, anyhow keep up the good work, keep bowling and stay well.
Friction does slow the bowl down, which is why on grass the bowl needs more power than on carpet. But I am not sure about the friction of a bigger bowl being more than a smaller one as I think the curvature of the bowl would only allow the same amount of surface to touch the ground whatever size you use, But I am not sure, you could be correct. I will have to look into this a little more. Great question.
Interesting video, thank you gents 👍
Yes, it was fun to do and we were not sure how it would go.
What angle is the ramp set at, in relation to the jack? I take it it is not in line but offset slightly to replicate a real bowling action? Great videos, btw, have watched them all, being only a 2 year newbie. Thanks.
Yes, I line up the ramp as if it is my arm and bowl to what I think is the correct line. The angle is very small, probably only about 10 degrees. It takes a few adjustments but after a few bowls it is running the line I want. Then I just send the rest of the bowls down the ramp. Thanks for watching the vids and I am glad they have helped. :)
Does the aiming line differ for a short jack and a long jack
Another very interesting video. Some years ago there was a YT video of the same thing and they found the small bowl went through about a yard further than the others but they only used one of each size, so your video is better. One other point, I have recently gone down to a size1 from a three and find it easier to get up outdoors, my wife found the same when she went to 00s , must be because they don't sink into the green so deep?.
It may also be the fact you may be gripping the smaller bowl better. I have seen many times players struggling to hold larger bowls, but when they go down a size they improve, especially in wet conditions.
you have to repeat the exact same test outdoor!!! would love to see. i think the inertia of the heavier bowls might carry them further through the jungle?
Sadly, the ramp is far to big for my car. I agree, It would have been nice to do so.
I would love to see this test done on a heavy grass green - say 10 or 11 seconds. My theory is the lighter ones will go a bit further due to the heavier bowls sinking down into the grass.
So would I, but it is too big to transfer in my car. I think the difference would be minimal, but I would still like to try. I will try and find a solution.
Hi Alec
Wonder if your insight into bowling in different positions. i.e. What should a skip be looking for, communicating etc
Communication on the green is important, so is encouragement. I always let my team players know how far their bowl has run, short or through, as they can see the width. I always try and be encouraging in what I say. I was once told 'if you have nothing positive to say, then say nothing'. I think that is a great tip. Everyone wants to play well, but when they don't, they also don't need someone having a go at them. So even though I may despair at times, I never show it. :)
Is the greatest advantage of larger, heavier, bowls shown when bowling as Skip when trying to break up a tight head?
IMHO not really, I would say there's little advantage, it depends on how much force is applied and how accurate you are 🤷♂
I think larger bowls can be slightly more effective if hitting smaller ones, also a larger bowl hit by a smaller one may be slightly harder to move, but it is only a very small advantage, not enough to pick a large bowl over a smaller one. I think it is more important using a bowl that is the right for your hand.
Hi my husband and I are really interested in joining our local club. We are lucky in that our club has both an indoor and outdoor facility. We are a bit nervous as we have just had a go against eachother on the local rec. I suppose we are worried because we are probably a bit rubbish. Would that be an issue if we wanted to join our club, we don't want to turn up and be kicked out. We don't want to be brilliant we just think it's a nice sport we could do together and get enjoyment from. Do we need to be bang into proper completions or can we just compete in house as it were.
@@kellymason1076 Hi Kelly. I promise you, you will never get kicked out. This summer, I have been involved with 12 new bowlers, and of course they are all different, some have learnt more quickly than others but they are all enjoying bowls and getting along fine. Some do pick it up quickly, others take longer, but there is no time limit, you just move at a pace that suits you. Any club will be happy to have you as a member regardless of your ability. I bet you are better than you think you are, so just go and get started, you will not regret it. We all have to start somewhere, we just need that first step. Let me know how you get on. 👍
Don't be silly, we and all others who started playing bowls for the first time played many wrong bias etc! So don't be put off! I still visit my club in the evening and practice most evenings! Life is a learning process and so is any sport! Good luck!
Hi Alec, your tutorial videos are a great resource. However, there is one thing I feel is a bit lacking. You use jargon in a lot of your videos. Could you do a terminology video, where you explain all the different terminologies? These include through, up, wide, narrow, weight, grass, etc. These are obviously just some that I have noticed while watching.
Very good point Alastair, I must do a video on that subject. 👍