Best Lawn Bowls For Beginners

What are the best lawn bowls for beginners? We break down the most forgiving models, sizing tests, and bias profiles to help you invest with confidence.

Top Recommended Bowls for Beginners Compared

Once you've learnt the rules of lawn bowls, and you've decided you want to take up the sport, you'll need to get your own set of bowls.

Selecting your first set of bowls can be a bit of a minefield. With over 30 models currently on sale, all with unique characteristics, in 8 different sizes, and a multitude of colours to choose from it’s no wonder we get intimidated!

Choosing a set of woods will eventually come down to a mixture of personal preference, and the demands of how you play. These demands can include:

• What position you play in teams. The needs of a lead will be very different to those of a skip
• Where you play. Bowls behave very differently on fast indoor greens compared to slower greens outdoors (especially those wet and heavy early months!)
• How you play. Bowls can be designed for all manner of playing styles, understanding what you need can bring out the best in your game

Buying lawn bowls isn’t cheap with an average set costing in the region of £200-£350, so its great to feel confident in the choice you make. Below we break down the most important questions you will need to ask, as well as some practical advice on what/where to look for your first set of bowls.

What size bowl to choose?

Bowls come in a set one of eight standard sizes (00 - 6). As a general rule of thumb, the gentlemen will often use a size between 3 and 5 - with 3 being the smaller size - and the ladies using 00 and 2, however the only way to find what works for you is to see how the different sizes feel in your hands.

This is the most important element of selecting your bowls, too large and you won’t be able to hold it properly, too small and you’ll see them flying all over the green.

Sizes are standard across all brands so you don’t need to worry about finding a specific brand to compare bowls.

The tests you can try include:

1. When trying out different sizes try wrapping both hands around the central part of the running surface, so that your thumbs are touching. If the bowl is the right size your middle fingers will be either just touching, or be close too.
2. Hold the bowl as if you were about to deliver it. Swing your arm back, then forward. If you are unable to maintain your grip comfortably, then the bowl is likely too big
3. Lastly, hold the bowl out in front of you, You should be able to hold onto the bowl for a good 20-30 seconds.

Bowls also come in to weights, “medium” and “heavy”. This should be taken into consideration when investigating what size to choose. It is recommended to select the largest, heaviest bowl you can handle comfortably, as a smaller/lighter bowl requires more effort to deliver, and can be moved easily when in the head. However, comfort should always be the most important factor.

Good places to find different bowls to try is either in your local bowls store (if you have access to one), or preferably down your local club - just ask permission before you start grabbing other people’s bowls!

What bowls bias should I choose?

Which is best? It can sometimes be a bit like asking “how long is a piece of string”, however it will likely come down to two factors. Where you play your bowls, and what position you will be playing in.

Where you play bowls

Firstly, will you be playing indoor or outdoor bowls? Often indoor rinks are much faster, which requires a narrower (i.e. a bowl that doesn’t swing as much) bowl. This will make controlling your line much easier. If you are playing outdoor you will need a slightly wider biased bowl to contend with the slower, heavier greens you get in the UK - but do note that if you are lucky enough to be playing in sunnier climates you will find the greens to be as fast as indoor rinks, so narrower bowl will be best.

If you are playing indoors only, then checkout our guide on the best indoor bowls to buy.

What position do you play?

Different positions in a bowls team will require different bowls. For example a lead will want to have a much narrower bowl, to help get a consistent line to draw to the jack, whereas a skip will want a much wider bias to help navigate through a busy head. That being said, you will often find yourself as a beginner playing in either the lead or number 2 position, as these roles help develop you line and weight, therefore a narrow to medium bias would be best.

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So how do you know which model does what? Thankfully each manufacturer have their own “bias charts”. You can see our list of bias charts for all major brands here, this will give you a list of models to try.

Finally, it comes down to personal preference. Get down your club and ask around. Also see below for our full list of recommended models!

What Bowls brand should I choose?

Of all the factors to consider when buying new bowls “brand” is often the least important. Bias’ and sizes are all standardised, so you will find models are consistent across all of them

There are four main brands of bowls available.

• Drakes Pride
• Taylor
• Henselite
• Aero

More experienced bowlers may have personal preference, as certain brands offer unique grips, however, the brand name shouldn’t be a deciding factor in itself.

• Player roles in lawn bowls
• Best rated bowls for leads
• Tips for leads

How much do a set of lawn bowls cost?

New bowls cost up to £350 so it is recommended to purchase a set of second hand bowls for your first set. Second hand bowls usually cost in the region of £30 - £120 making it a cost effective solution.

You can get second hand bowls from a variety of sources (see our guide to second hand bowls), however we recommend eBay as there is always a wide variety of stock, and you will get a better selection of models.

As long as the bowls don’t have any major chunks or gauges, they will be fine for using in competition for many years to come.

Recommended Models & Expert Verdicts

1. Taylor Ace — #1 Best All-Rounder Pick

If you ask ten seasoned club players what bowl a beginner should buy, at least seven will tell you the Taylor Ace. For good reason: it has remained the UK's most popular club bowl for over two decades.

The beauty of the Taylor Ace lies in its progressive, predictable arc. It does not snap abruptly at the finish or demand a razor-thin line to the jack. If your delivery is slightly off by half an inch, the Ace will gently compensate rather than plunging into the adjacent rink. On typical 12-to-14 second outdoor grass, it provides enough turn to navigate around short bowls while holding its line comfortably on 16-second indoor carpet.

• Bias Profile: True mid-bias (Rating: 5 / 10).
• Trajectory Shape: Smooth, uniform arc with a gentle, forgiving hook at the jack.
• Recommended Surface: All outdoor grass greens (damp or dry) and indoor rinks.
• Available Grips: Taylor Progrip (classic dimples) and Plain.
• Where to Buy: Available directly from Taylor Bowls, specialist retailers (Bowls Direct), and widely available on eBay pre-owned (£110–£160).
• Full Review: Read our in-depth Taylor Ace review

2. Drakes Pride Professional — Best Outdoor Workhorse

The Drakes Pride Professional is Liverpool-made craftsmanship at its most reliable. Slightly narrower than the Taylor Ace, the Professional has been a club stalwart across England, Scotland, and Wales for over 30 years.

During our testing on heavier early-season greens (12–13 seconds), the Professional tracked cleanly without getting bogged down on the shoulder. It finishes with a very predictable, gradual draw that helps beginners develop rhythmic weight control. Because it is so ubiquitous, the second-hand market is packed with quality sets, making it the most cost-effective entry point for any new bowler.

• Bias Profile: Mid-narrow bias (Rating: 4.5 / 10).
• Trajectory Shape: Steady curve with a soft, gradual finish into the head.
• Recommended Surface: Outdoor natural grass greens and standard club greens.
• Available Grips: 40/50 grip, Harlequin grip, and plain grip.
• Where to Buy: Available from Drakes Pride, bowls stockists, and plentiful on eBay second-hand (£70–£120).
• Full Review: Read our in-depth Drakes Pride Professional review

3. Taylor Vector VS — Best for Fast Greens & Leads

If your club features fast summer turf or you play most of your matches on quick indoor carpet, the Taylor Vector VS is our top recommendation. Engineered specifically for speed, the Vector VS draws with a clean, narrow line that requires far less green than a traditional mid-bias model.

In our trials, front-end lead bowlers loved the Vector VS because it eliminates wide sweeping arcs that are easily buffeted by gusty crosswinds. Its holding finish stays flat on the running surface, allowing you to draw repeatedly within inches of the jack without worrying about excessive end-of-rink kick.

• Bias Profile: Narrow bias (Rating: 3 / 10).
• Trajectory Shape: Tight drawing line with an exceptionally flat, holding finish.
• Recommended Surface: Fast outdoor lawns (14s+), artificial surfaces, and indoor rinks.
• Available Grips: Taylor Progrip and Half-Pipe grip.
• Where to Buy: Taylor Bowls Direct, leading bowls outfitters, and on eBay (£90–£140 used).
• Full Review: Read our in-depth Taylor Vector VS review

4. Aero Quantum — Best Modern Mid-Narrow

Aero Bowls revolutionized modern bowl production by using robotic CNC engineering to ensure identical weight and bias across every set. The Aero Quantum sits right in the sweet spot for new players who want modern styling and laser-like consistency.

One standout feature for beginners is Aero's Z-Scoop grip. The grip is slightly channeled into the bowl's running surface, effectively making the bowl feel half a size smaller in your palm. If you are struggling between a Size 2 and Size 3, an Aero Quantum with a Z-Scoop allows you to deliver a heavier bowl with zero finger strain.

• Bias Profile: Narrow-to-mid bias (Rating: 3.5 / 10).
• Trajectory Shape: Predictable, smooth arc with no hook or wobble at low delivery speeds.
• Recommended Surface: Fast grass greens, synthetic carpets, and indoor facilities.
• Available Grips: Z-Scoop (embedded channel), Dentic, and Non-gripped.
• Where to Buy: Aero Bowls UK, specialist stockists, and pre-loved on eBay (£140–£200).
• Full Review: Read our in-depth Aero Quantum review

Beginner Buying Checklist: 4 Rules to Follow

1. Choose Heavy Weight: Over 95% of adult bowlers use "Heavy" weight bowls. Extra weight provides momentum to cut through wind and damp grass without requiring extra arm force.
2. Fit the Hand First: Never buy a bowl simply because an elite player uses it. If you cannot maintain a comfortable grip for 25 seconds with an extended arm, step down one size.
3. Start Pre-Loved: Top brand bowls (Taylor, Drakes Pride, Henselite, Aero) do not wear out under normal club use. A quality second-hand set for £80–£150 delivers 100% of the performance of a £400 brand-new set while you master your delivery.
4. Verify the Stamp: If you intend to play in affiliated league or county competitions, ensure the bowls carry a valid World Bowls stamp. For casual club roll-ups, an older stamp is completely acceptable.