By William Pete + Liz Stauffer, members of Asheville Lawn Bowling. This is a contributor-submitted Voices piece. Want to join the conversation? We invite you to write for us. Learn how to share your voice here.

Members of the Asheville Lawn Bowling Club join together on the world class bowling green at 220 Amboy Road in Carrier Park in Asheville to practice the sport of lawn bowling each Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday – weather permitting. Ad hoc matches spring up on other days each week and as more of the community joins us in this safe and fun game, there will be even more opportunities to compete.

The sport of lawn bowling has been around for thousands of years. Best associated with Commonwealth countries, bowls are rolled all over the world. Although there are only a few greens currently located in the United States – just two in North Carolina – those of us who have fallen for the sport sometimes travel to other greens around the country and around the world to bowl.

For more information check out:

The History of Lawn Bowling in the World

While there are a variety of lawn bowling games, traditionally a player rolls four bowls on each end to a target called a “jack.” The bowls are not perfectly round, but are weighted to one side. When rolled, the bowl moves in a curved path towards the target. While the mechanics of the game are relatively easy to learn, mastering the sport takes time.

Photo courtesy of Asheville Lawn Bowling

The objective of lawn bowling is to roll your bowl closer to the jack than any of your opponents. While the concept is simple, the execution is challenging - since the logistics of the game can change with each bowler. It’s this challenge that makes the game great fun!!

To learn more about the rules and play of lawn bowling click here.

The Asheville Lawn Bowling club is offering free lessons and mentoring to those of you in the community who are interested in learning to lawn bowl. Just come to the lawn bowling green in Carrier Park a half hour before our matches begin. Since the times of our matches change seasonally, click here for updated days and times.

The club will supply you with bowls at the green. Wear smooth soled shoes, bring water, and a small towel to wipe your bowls during play. To keep us all safe during current times, masks are required.