Henselite Tiger TX vs Drakes Pride XP | Which is Best?

Are you a beginner struggling to choose the right lawn bowl? You’re not alone. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide. That’s why I’m here to help.

In this blog post, I’ll compare two popular models – the Henselite Tiger TX and the Drakes Pride XP. Together, we’ll look at the spec of the bowls, bias, grip options, and price. By the end of this guide, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge you need to choose the bowl that’s best for you. So, let’s get started!

Spec

The Henselite Tiger TX is a narrow-biased lawn bowl designed specifically for indoor play. It performs exceptionally well on fast outdoor greens and is available in sizes 00 to 5, exclusively for the UK market. While it may be difficult to find on online second-hand marketplaces like eBay, the Henselite Tiger TX is a great investment for indoor bowlers or those who play lead on fast outdoor greens.

The Drakes Pride XP is a wide biased lawn bowl designed for outdoor use. Its versatile nature makes it suitable for all outdoor surfaces, and it works particularly well for skips. With sizes ranging from 00 to 5, the XP is only available in the UK market, and it can be difficult to find second-hand options online. As a result, most users will need to purchase the XP brand new. Overall, the Drakes Pride XP is a reliable and flexible option for lawn bowlers looking for a wide biased bowl.

Bias

The Henselite Tiger TX and the Drakes Pride XP lawn bowls have distinct differences in their bias. The Tiger TX is a narrow biased bowl, making it ideal for indoor rinks and indoor bowlers.

In comparison, the XP is a wide biased bowl, which is more suitable for outdoor greens and all outdoor surfaces.

Overall, the choice between the two lawn bowls will depend on the playing conditions and personal preferences of the player. If you mainly play indoors, the Henselite Tiger TX may be the best bowl for you, whereas if you predominantly play outdoors, the Drakes Pride XP lawn bowl would be an excellent option.

It’s essential to choose a bowl with the correct bias to optimize your performance on the green.

Grips

When it comes to comparing the grips of the Henselite Tiger TX and the Drakes Pride XP lawn bowls, there are distinct differences. The Henselite Tiger TX comes with the Henselite Mega grip as standard, which is an embedded grip, while the Drakes Pride XP only offers their standard dimple grip.

An embedded grip is set deeper into the bowl, making it feel smaller in your hand. This is beneficial for bowlers who struggle with grip, as the smaller feel can help them maintain proper grip and control. On the other hand, the dimple grip is a classic style of grip. It features small divots or dimples running along the shoulder of the bowl, which helps fingers sit in these dimples, providing a better grip.

Ultimately, the choice between an embedded grip or a dimple grip comes down to individual preference and style of play. Bowlers should try out both grips to see which feels more comfortable and provides better control for their specific needs.

Price

When comparing the prices of Henselite Tiger TX and Drakes Pride XP the first thing that sticks out is the difference. While you can buy the Drakes Pride XP for around £290, the Henselite Tiger TX costs roughly £420 when buying it new. However, when it comes to second-hand buying, the prices of the two brands become a lot closer. You can purchase a second-hand Henselite Tiger TX for around £260-310 whereas the Drakes Pride XP can be bought for approximately £140-250.

Overall, while the Henselite Tiger TX is significantly more expensive than the Drakes Pride XP when buying it new, it appears that the prices of the two brands even out when buying second-hand. That being said, the difference in prices probably isn’t enough to make up your mind when looking at lawn bowls as other factors such as personal preference, skill level, and even weight can be considered when making a final decision.

Performance

In summary, the Henselite Tiger TX is best suited for indoor bowlers, especially leads, while the Drakes Pride XP is suitable for outdoor bowlers. The Henselite Tiger TX is a narrow biased bowl, making it ideal for precise shots in indoor conditions. On the other hand, the Drakes Pride XP is a wide biased bowl, allowing it to cover more ground and bend around obstacles in outdoor play. It is important to choose a lawn bowl that suits your playing style, so make sure to consider the conditions and frequency of your play before making a purchase.

Conclusion

Overall, both the Henselite Tiger TX and the Drakes Pride XP have their unique strengths and preferred uses. The Henselite Tiger TX is best suited for indoor play, particularly for lead players, while the Drakes Pride XP is wider-biased and designed more for outdoor play, particularly for skips. Both models come in sizes 00 to 5 for the UK market, but are not easily found on second-hand marketplaces like eBay. Ultimately, selecting between the two will likely come down to personal preference and intended use.