Stepping onto the green with the right set of bowls can make all the difference to your game. With so many options available, understanding the key characteristics of each model, particularly its “bias,” is crucial. The bias determines the bowl’s trajectory – a narrower bias is ideal for straight shots on faster greens, while a wider bias is better for navigating around other bowls on slower surfaces.
To help you get started, I’ve compiled a handy table of popular makes and models, detailing their bias type and what they’re best suited for. Use this as your go-to guide for finding the bowl that complements your style of play.
| Make | Model | Bias Type | Description & Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aero | Evolve | Mid-Narrow | A mid-bias bowl with a smooth draw, designed for a gentle turn. Good for a range of green speeds. |
| Groove | Narrow | A very narrow-bias bowl, ideal for fast indoor surfaces and artificial greens. Known for a smooth hold. | |
| Revolution | Mid-Bias | A stable, all-rounder bowl with a forgiving draw. A popular choice for a variety of conditions. | |
| Optima | Mid-Wide | A wider-drawing bowl, well-suited for slower outdoor greens and for the skip position. | |
| Henselite | Dreamline XG | Mid-Bias | A best-seller known for its versatility. It has a ‘banana’ bias with a controlled, reliable finish. |
| Tiger | Wide | A full-bias bowl with a strong, predictable draw. Excellent for slower outdoor greens and skips. | |
| Tiger II | Mid-Wide | A stable and predictable bowl with a holding finish. A great all-rounder for a variety of shots. | |
| Tiger Pro | Mid-Bias | A popular mid-bias bowl with a holding finish, suitable for both indoor and outdoor play. | |
| Classic II | Mid-Wide | A traditional, wide-bias bowl that runs straighter and is ideal for attacking difficult heads. | |
| Taylor | Lazer | Very Narrow | The narrowest bias in the Taylor range. Best for fast indoor or artificial surfaces. |
| Vector VS | Narrow | A best-selling indoor bowl with a gentle draw and no hook at the finish. Ideal for front-end bowlers. | |
| Ace | Mid-Bias | A highly popular all-rounder, suitable for any position on both indoor and outdoor surfaces. | |
| Legacy SL | Mid-Wide | A slimmer-shaped, wider-drawing bowl designed for heavier grass greens and players with smaller hands. | |
| Lignoid | Wide | The widest-drawing bowl in the Taylor range, recommended for slower outdoor grass surfaces. | |
| Drakes Pride | Professional | Mid-Wide | A traditional and reliable bowl with a mid-to-wide bias, popular with club players and skips. |
| XP | Narrow | A narrow-bias bowl designed specifically for fast indoor rinks. | |
| Pro 50 | Mid-Bias | A mid-bias bowl with a tighter line than the Professional, suitable for all-round play. |
Ultimately, the best way to find your ideal set of bowls is to try a few different types on the green. While this guide provides a great starting point, nothing beats feeling the bowl in your hand and seeing how it performs on your local surface. Enjoy your game and happy bowling!
Table of Contents
The Bowler’s Guide
An Infographic of Lawn Bowls Makes & Models
4
Aero Models
5
Henselite Models
5
Taylor Models
3
Drakes Pride Models
Understanding Bias
Narrow Bias
Ideal for fast indoor greens.
Wide Bias
Suited for slower outdoor greens.
Models per Brand
A look at the variety of models offered by each of the top four lawn bowl manufacturers.
Bias Type Distribution
The proportion of bowl types across all listed models, showing the popularity of different biases.
The Bowls Showcase
Which Bowl is Right for You?
Playing Surface?
Your Position?
Consider This Bias:
This guide offers a starting point. Leads often prefer a narrower bias for a direct line, while skips might use a wider bias to navigate around other bowls.