About our Sport

Tentative evidence suggests that the ancient Egyptians played a form of bowls before 5000 B.C., where the objective was to hit a target. However, the earliest solid evidence of the game dates back to the 13th century. The Southampton Bowls Club, reputedly the oldest bowling green in the world, was founded in 1299.

The first official record of the game describes bowls as "a game of delicate skill, the object being to get bowls as close as possible to the target." It seems that 'firing' was not considered an appropriate action in those days!

In the early 14th century, King Edward III banned his bowmen from playing bowls, fearing their archery skills were eroding due to their preoccupation with the game.

The sport's popularity in the 16th century is evident as it is mentioned in three of William Shakespeare's plays: "Richard III," "Love's Labour's Lost," and "The Taming of the Shrew." "The Taming of the Shrew" also references ladies playing bowls.

One of the most famous historical events involving bowls is when Sir Francis Drake, on July 15, 1588, was reputedly playing bowls on Plymouth Hoe and refused to leave for battle until the game was finished.

W.G. Grace, the renowned English cricketer, was instrumental in founding the English Bowls Association and served as its first president from 1903 to 1905. He also organized the inaugural international match between Scotland and England. Additionally, the first official rules of the game were established by the Scottish Bowls Association.

Today, bowls is a beloved leisure activity around the globe and ranks among the most popular sports of all time. Drakes Pride proudly sponsored the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia, and there is hope that the sport will one day be included in the Olympic Games.

Flat Green bowls can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors in over 35 countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, India, Spain, South Africa, the USA, and the Netherlands. A set consists of four bowls, and the target is a small spherical ball called the jack, which is either white or yellow and has no bias.

Crown Green Bowls is an outdoor game popular in the Midlands, Northern England, the Isle of Man, and North Wales. Each player uses a pair of bowls which are delivered to the jack which is also biased. The green itself is not level, rising in the centre, allowing bowls to be delivered in any direction around the green.

Lignum Vitae, a high-quality traditional timber from the Caribbean, especially from Santa Domingo, was historically used to produce bowls. However, since the late 1970s, most bowls have been made from composite materials, which are more durable and maintain their performance for a longer period.

In 1982, Drakes Pride revolutionized bowl manufacturing by becoming the first company globally to utilize computer numerically controlled lathes. This innovation ushered in a new era of precision and accuracy in the production of bowls.

Innovations in materials led to the introduction of coloured lawn bowls, which received approval from the World Bowls Board in 1998. This paved the way for manufacturers to offer a wide variety of colours, significantly brightening up the game.

Drakes Pride, a licensed manufacturer for both Lawn Green and Crown Green governing bodies, is dedicated to advancing the sport at all levels, from grassroots amateurs to professional players.