On the Jack – Blog #21(New Season)

🟢 On the Jack – Blog #21

“When the Bowl Has Other Ideas”

You choose your line. You judge your weight. You take your stance. You deliver smoothly.

Everything looks perfect. Then the bowl starts travelling…

…and suddenly you realise it has apparently received completely different instructions.

It drifts a little wider than expected. It finishes short. It runs through the head.

Or, in particularly memorable circumstances, it appears to have developed a personal ambition to visit the ditch.

Welcome to lawn bowls!

🎯 The Unpredictable Bowl

One of the great attractions of bowls is that no two deliveries are exactly alike.

Even when you repeat what feels like the same action, the result can vary.

The green may be slightly different. Your weight may be fractionally different.

The wind may have changed.

Or perhaps—just perhaps—you did not quite play the shot you thought you did!

Experienced bowlers are not immune.

They simply become better at understanding why something happened.

🌱 A Tip for New Bowlers

Do not become frustrated by a poor bowl. Instead, ask yourself three simple questions:

Was my line, right? Was my weight, right? Was my delivery smooth?

If the answer to two out of three is yes, you are probably closer than you think.

Every bowl gives you information. Use it.

🧠 Learn from the Green

Suppose your first bowl finishes short.

Your next bowl probably needs a little more weight.

If it finishes wide, adjust your line.

If it swings earlier or later than expected, take that information into your next delivery.

The clever bowler does not keep making the same mistake.

They adapt.

That is one of the things that separates experience from simply playing lots of games.

📚 A Little Bowls History

For much of bowls’ history, players had to cope with greens that were considerably less predictable than todays carefully maintained surfaces.

Natural grass, weather, and changing ground conditions could all affect the way bowls travelled.

Today’s equipment and green maintenance have made the game more consistent, but adapting to conditions remains an essential part of good bowling.

The green still gets the final word.

🤝 Etiquette Corner – Do not Laugh too Quickly!

We have all seen a bowl that has gone spectacularly wrong.

It can be tempting to laugh. And sometimes the bowler is laughing before anyone else!

But remember that today’s wayward bowl could be tomorrow’s brilliant shot.

A friendly: “Unlucky—good try.” is much better than reminding someone where their bowl actually finished.

Unless, of course, they ask. And even then, diplomacy is recommended.

☕ Clubhouse Chatter

This week’s mystery bowl started on the correct line.

It had reasonable weight. It looked promising.

Then it made an unexpected turn and finished nowhere near the head.

The bowler’s explanation was simple:

“It’s the green.”

The greenkeeper has declined to comment.

😄 This Week’s Green-Side Quote

“That wasn’t the bowl I intended.”

“What was the plan?”

“I’ll let you know when I find out.”

🌟 Final End Thought

Not every bowl will be perfect.

That is all right.

If every bowl behaved exactly as planned, we would probably stop learning,,,,,and where is the fun in that?

The important thing is to watch, think, adjust, and try again.

Because somewhere between the bowls that finish beautifully and the ones that wander off on their own little adventures, your game improves.

And occasionally…

…the bowl you thought you had completely messed up comes to rest beside the jack.

When that happens, do not question it. Just smile.

Pick up your next bowl. And pretend you meant it all along!

See you, “On the Jack.”

Your Rink-side Rambler 🟢🎯☕Norman Deegan.

This Week on the Green – Club News and Activities

🗞️ Marine Gardens Bowling Club Weekly Report

Week Ending Sunday, 13th September 2026.

🌿 Bournemouth Tour Report – Marine Gardens Bowling Club

By Trevor Punnett.

Thirty‑four members of Marine Gardens Bowling Club enjoyed a full and memorable week of bowling, sunshine, and excellent company on our Bournemouth Tour.

We departed at lunchtime on the first day and travelled to the Queens Hotel & Spa on Bournemouth’s East Cliff. The hotel proved extremely comfortable, with excellent food and attentive service. Our opening evening included an unexpected delight: the Bournemouth Firework Display, perfectly timed and thoroughly enjoyed — a wonderful touch from our tour organisers.

🌊 Day One – Lymington

A beautiful start to the tour took us to Lymington, where members enjoyed a free morning exploring the harbour, shops, and cafés.

Our first fixture followed at Brockenhurst Bowling Club in the New Forest. Although victory slipped away, spirits remained high thanks to a scenic drive through the forest on our return — a real highlight of the day.

✈️ Day Two – Pelhams Bowling Club

Our second match brought us to Pelhams Bowling Club in Bournemouth. Play was briefly interrupted by low‑flying aircraft departing Bournemouth Airport — an unusual tactic to test our concentration but taken in good humour by all.

🏆 Day Three – Bournemouth Bowling Club, Meyrick Park

Monday delivered the standout fixture of the tour: a visit to the historic Bournemouth Bowling Club, founded over 130 years ago and regarded as the forerunner of all clubs in the area.

Set in the lovely surroundings of Meyrick Park, it provided a superb backdrop for our first victory of the Tour — a proud and enjoyable moment for everyone.

☀️ Day Four – Rest Day

Tuesday offered a well‑earned rest day, giving members time to relax, explore Bournemouth, or enjoy the hotel’s facilities at their leisure.

🏞️ Day Five – Fordingbridge

Our penultimate match took us to Fordingbridge, the “Gateway to the New Forest,” beautifully situated on the River Avon. A friendly club and picturesque setting made for another enjoyable afternoon of bowling.

🌅 Day Six – Poole Park Bowling Club

The final day took us to Poole, where we spent the morning exploring before heading to Poole Park Bowling Club, overlooking a lake in Poole Harbour.

We received an exceptionally warm welcome, leaving us with lasting memories. Although victory escaped us once more, the enjoyment of the afternoon ensured it mattered not at all.

A week of good bowling, pleasant weather, and even better company — Trevor’s report captures the spirit of the tour perfectly, enhanced by Betty’s photography.