TIP: Click the   Video tab to see this activity in action

Hello, there seems to be a problem, you have either not got java enabled, or you do not have the latest Flash player installed. Please click here to install the latest player, once complete, close that window and refresh this page.

Short Mat bowls is a scaled down version of standard indoor bowls. The game is played like other forms of bowling, with full sized bowls being used to bowl up and down a portable bowling carpet, measuring 45 feet by 6 feet (13.75 x 1.85 metres).

Popularity
Since its introduction in the mid 1980s, the sport has grown to over 100,000 players in the UK, due largely to the portable nature of the game. Short Mat Bowls has become so popular that it is now being taken up in many other parts of the world.

Location
Short Mat Bowls is played on portable lightweight bowling carpets, enableing any suitably sized room or hall to be turned into a temporary bowling green, that is completely unaffected by the weather, in minutes.

Age
Short Mat bowls is a completely mixed sport in which men and women compete equally together. Indeed, it has become a great family sport involving both sex's and all ages from under 9 to over 90, that is played in a social and friendly atmosphere.

Ability
The primary skill requirement is in the fact that no two mats perform identically and playing surrfaces are not always perfectly flat therefore every competitive match is a measure of the ability of the visiting team to conquer unfamiliar surfaces.

Description
The game is played in broadly the same way as Lawn Green Bowls. Each player / team has four bowls which are rolled alternately at a target ball called a Jack.The object of the game, is for each player in a singles game or each team in a pairs, triples or fours to gain as many shots as possible by getting their bowls nearer to the jack than their opponents, and so outscore them.

Dedication
Each bowl is less rounded on one side which results in the bowl being biased in one direction due to the extra weight on one side. The bias of a correctly rolled bowl ensures that it follows a slightly curved path as it rolls.

Potential
The sport has a serious side for the ultracompetitive, with national and international championships. The pinnacle of most player's ambitions can be reached by playing for their country at the British Isles or World Championships.

Closely Related Activities
Flat Green Bowls 85, Crown Green Bowls 84, Boccia 77, Boules 83, Petanque 461, Quoits 482, Boccie 742.

Cost
The purchase of your own equipment generally consisting of a set of bowls, bowling shoes and a bag will cost from around £120. Most clubs will have equipment for hire.

A single bowling mat will cost from £500.

Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.

Energy

Arms

Legs

Sight

Hearing

Speech

Learning

Please be advised that this record has not necessarily been reviewed by people with the expertise required to provide you with complete, accurate or reliable information. The information and images for this activity are supplied by the general public, Please contact us if there is a breach of copyright or you wish to improve the data.