Taylor Legacy SL vs Drakes Pride Professional | Which is Best?

Are you a beginner feeling overwhelmed with all the different lawn bowls available? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. In this blog post, I’ll be comparing two of the most popular models – the Taylor Legacy SL and the Drakes Pride Professional.

Together, we’ll go over the specs, bias, grip options, and price to help you make a decision. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a better understanding of which bowl is the perfect fit for you. Let’s get started!

Spec

The Taylor Legacy SL is a wide-biased lawn bowl that is designed for outdoor play. It is suitable for all outdoor surfaces and is especially favored by skips. The Legacy SL comes in sizes 00 to 5, but is currently only available in the UK market. However, it can be found on online second-hand marketplaces like eBay. Overall, the Legacy SL is a great option for those looking for a reliable and high-quality lawn bowl for outdoor play.

The Drakes Pride Professional is a highly versatile lawn bowl designed for both indoor and outdoor play. With a mid-biased construction, this bowl is suitable for use on various surfaces and conditions, providing excellent performance in different environments. Available in sizes 00 to 5 for the UK market, the Drakes Pride Professional is a popular choice among lawn bowlers. For those looking to purchase this bowl, it can be found on online marketplaces like eBay, including second-hand options.

Bias

The main difference between The Drakes Pride Professional and the Taylor Legacy SL lawn bowls is the level of bias. The Drakes Pride Professional has a mid-bias, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor play. On the other hand, the Taylor Legacy SL has a wide bias and is best suited for outdoor greens.

Additionally, the Taylor Legacy SL is placed between the International and the Lignoid in the Taylor range, while The Drakes Pride Professional falls between the D-TEC and the XP in the Drakes Pride range. This means that the Legacy SL is slightly more biased than the Professional, making it ideal for players who require greater control and precision on outdoor greens.

Ultimately, the choice between these two lawn bowls will depend on the player’s preferred playing style and the types of greens they predominantly play on. The Drakes Pride Professional is a versatile bowl suitable for all types of players, while the Taylor Legacy SL is best suited for experienced players who prefer a wide bias on outdoor greens.

Grips

When comparing the grips of the Taylor Legacy SL and the Drakes Pride Professional lawn bowls, there are some key differences to note. The Taylor Legacy SL comes with the Taylor Progrip as standard, which is a dimple grip and considered one of the best around. However, it does not come with the option of an embedded grip, which is generally considered to be better than a dimple grip.

On the other hand, the Drakes Pride Professional only comes with their standard dimple grip, which is a classic style of grip. The dimples run along the shoulder of the bowl, allowing your finger tips to sit in them and giving you a better grip. However, an embedded grip is set deeper into the bowl, making it feel smaller in your hand, which can be beneficial for those who have difficulties gripping the bowl properly. Overall, it really comes down to personal preference when deciding which grip is best for you.

Price

When it comes to comparing the price of the Taylor Legacy SL and the Drakes Pride Professional lawn bowls, it’s clear that they are priced similarly. Both can be purchased new for around £290, which is a significant investment for anyone interested in playing lawn bowls competitively.

However, if you’re looking to save some money, it’s worth noting that both models can also be purchased second hand. The Taylor Legacy SL can be found for around £100-£160, while the Drakes Pride Professional can be found for around £60-£210. This means that if you’re willing to do some digging, you may be able to find a good deal on either of these popular models.

Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and playing style. The Taylor Legacy SL is known for its narrow bias and stability in windy conditions, while the Drakes Pride Professional is popular for its predictable arc and versatility on a variety of surfaces. Regardless of which model you choose, the investment in a quality set of lawn bowls is sure to pay off in the form of improved performance and enjoyment on the green.

Performance

When comparing the Taylor Legacy SL and the Drakes Pride Professional lawn bowls, it is important to consider the playing surface and style of the player. The Taylor Legacy SL is best suited for outdoor play with its wide bias, making it an excellent choice for bowlers who play solely outdoors. However, it is not recommended for indoor play.

On the other hand, the Drakes Pride Professional has a mid-bias, making it a versatile choice for both indoor and outdoor surfaces. This bowl would be ideal for players who enjoy playing both indoors and out, or for those who are just starting out and are unsure of which surface they prefer.

Ultimately, when deciding between these two lawn bowls, it is important to consider the player’s preferred playing surface and level of experience. For those who play outdoors exclusively, the Taylor Legacy SL may be the better choice. For those who enjoy playing on both indoor and outdoor surfaces, or are new to the sport, the Drakes Pride Professional would be a great option.

Conclusion

After comparing the Taylor Legacy SL and the Drakes Pride Professional, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and intended use. The Taylor Legacy SL is ideal for outdoor play with a wide bias, while the Drakes Pride Professional is versatile enough for both indoor and outdoor play with a mid-bias. Both bowls are available in a range of sizes for the UK market and can be found on second-hand marketplaces like eBay. It’s important to consider the playing surface and your individual style when choosing a lawn bowl, but both the Taylor Legacy SL and Drakes Pride Professional are reliable options for any player.