Why Some Lawn Bowls Swing More Than Others: Understanding Bias
If you’ve ever watched two bowlers play similar shots and seen their bowls follow different lines, you’ve seen how much bowl selection and delivery can matter.
Different lawn bowl models have different running profiles. Some take a wider draw, while others follow a narrower line or have a flatter finish.
Understanding these differences can help you compare bowls and make more informed choices for the greens you play on.
What Is Bias in Lawn Bowls?
Bias describes the curved path a bowl follows as it travels along the green.
A bowl’s shape creates its bias. It isn’t caused by an added weight inside one side of the bowl. World Bowls identifies shape as the source of the bowl’s bias.
When comparing models, it helps to consider two features:
-
Draw width: How wide a line the bowl takes towards its target.
-
Finishing shape: How the bowl turns as it approaches its resting point.
These features are related, but a simple description such as “wide” or “narrow” doesn’t explain every detail of how a model runs.
Why Do Some Bowls Swing More Than Others?
Manufacturers shape the running surfaces of different models to produce different trajectories.
A wider drawing model generally needs a wider aiming line than a narrower model under comparable conditions. However, the model is only part of the picture.
The path you see on the green also depends on the surface, conditions, distance and delivery. A bias chart helps you compare models, but it cannot predict the exact line of every shot.
What Does Our Bias Chart Show?
Our chart illustrates the following order, from widest to narrowest:
Looking specifically at the three Taylor models featured here, the order is GTR → Redline SR → SRV, from wider to narrower.
The chart is illustrative. Actual bowl performance varies with conditions and playing style.
How Do Green Conditions Affect the Line?
Your bowl’s model stays the same, but the line you need to play can change between greens—and during a game.
Faster and Slower Greens
Green speed affects the delivery needed to reach your target. That changes how the bowl’s running profile appears in play.
Avoid treating “fast green” or “slow green” as a complete buying recommendation. Consider the model’s intended conditions alongside your delivery and the line you prefer to play.
Grass and Artificial Surfaces
The surface type is useful information, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Two grass greens, or two artificial greens, can play differently.
When seeking advice, describe the usual pace and behaviour of your local green as well as its surface.
Weather and Changing Conditions
Wind, moisture and changes in the surface can affect your shot. Use practice ends to assess the conditions and adjust your aiming line and delivery as needed.
Wider Draw vs Narrower Draw Bowls
Neither profile is automatically better. The useful question is which running shape suits your conditions and the shots you want to play.
Wider Drawing Bowls
A wider drawing model gives you more curve to allow for when choosing your line. That can be useful when planning a route around bowls in front of the jack.
It also means you need enough available room to play that line.
Narrower Drawing Bowls
A narrower model takes less width under comparable conditions. Some bowlers prefer that shape, particularly when comparing options for faster surfaces.
A narrower bowl still has bias. It also requires a repeatable delivery and an accurate choice of line.
Narrower doesn’t automatically mean more accurate, and wider doesn’t automatically mean more forgiving.
Does Your Playing Position Matter?
Your position can influence the shots you play most often, so it is useful context when choosing bowls.
However, there is no universal rule that leads should use wider bowls or skips should use narrower ones.
Consider your full range of shots, your local conditions and how comfortable you feel judging the bowl’s line. Discuss these factors with a coach or bowls specialist rather than choosing by position alone.
Which Taylor Bowl Is Right for You?
Taylor GTR: The Wider Option of These Three Models
The GTR has a wider illustrated draw than the Redline SR and SRV on our chart.
Taylor describes it as suitable for indoor and outdoor surfaces in Southern Hemisphere conditions and highlights its wind stability.
Consider comparing the GTR if you prefer more width in your drawing line.
Taylor Redline SR: A Versatile Middle Option
The Redline SR sits between the GTR and SRV on our chart.
Taylor’s published guidance identifies it as suitable for grass and artificial greens with speeds of approximately 12–20 seconds.
It is worth comparing if you want an all-round model with less illustrated width than the GTR.
Explore Taylor Redline SR lawn bowls
Taylor SRV: A Flatter Finish Than Redline SR
The SRV builds on the Redline SR with a refined bias and a slightly flatter finish while retaining wind stability.
Taylor identifies it as suitable for faster and artificial surfaces. It also has the narrowest illustrated line of these three Taylor models on our chart.
Consider comparing the SRV if you prefer that flatter finishing shape.
Common Mistakes When Choosing Lawn Bowls
Choosing by colour or copying another player’s model can overlook the factors that matter most to your game.
Other mistakes include:
-
Assuming the narrowest model will improve accuracy.
-
Treating a bias chart as an exact prediction.
-
Choosing by playing position alone.
-
Overlooking size, grip and comfort.
-
Buying without considering your usual green conditions.
A model’s running profile matters, but you also need to hold and deliver it comfortably. Bowls Australia recommends trying the actual bowl before purchasing because shape and grip preferences can affect how it feels in your hand.
How to Choose With Confidence
If possible, try different models on the greens you regularly play.
Pay attention to how comfortably you hold the bowl, how easily you judge its line and whether its finish suits your expectations.
If you already own bowls, explain what you would like to change. Wanting more room around traffic, a flatter finish or a more comfortable grip gives a specialist a useful starting point.
Need Help Comparing Models?
Our team can help you compare the Taylor GTR, Redline SR and SRV.
Tell us your current model, size and grip, where you usually play, and what you’re looking for in your next set.
Browse our lawn bowls collection or call (07) 5449 9011 for personalised advice.
