Bowls (Sport)

[maxi20]

Why is the white ball in bowls known as the jack.

[Tilly2]

Good question but I don't know the answer, I'm afraid, Maxi.

Someone will....:-)

[Tilly2]

I found this:-

There are competing theories as to etymological origin of the word "Jack". John P Monro, Bowls Encyclopaedia (3rd ed), gives that the name 'jack' is derived from the Latin word jactus, meaning a cast or a throw. A sport played by young men called "casting the stone" is mentioned by William FitzStephen, a close friend of Thomas à Becket, in the preface of his biography Vita Sancti Thomae written during the twelfth century . Casting of stones translates in Latin as "jactu lapidum" and was a game in which rounded stones were thrown at or bowled towards a target object and so some are persuaded that the modern word 'Jack' derives originally from this term.

But the most straightforward theory and the one most favoured by this author is that it appears that Jack in some contexts meant a slightly smaller version of something. For example a jack-rabbit is a little rabbit. In this case a 'Jack-Bowl', was the little bowl, later shortened to 'Jack'. In 1697 R. Pierce wrote "He had not Strength to throw the Jack-Bowl half over the Green".

[Tilly2]

On here:-
http://www.tradgames.org.uk/games/Bowls.htm

[ToraToraTora]

it's short for jack-bowl, ie smaller bowl. "jack" is often used as prefix to mean a smaller version of something, eg jack Rabbit.

[Unsureme]

In Indoor Bowls do they play with their own Woods or are the red and green standard woods?

[Jonathan-Joe]

Unsuremle -players usually use their own bowls (their choice of colour) indoors and out. In the televised championships red and green bowls are supplied to make identification easier for spectators. A player can choose bowls from their preferred manufacturer specifying the weight and bias.

[gness]

They will use their own bowls I imagine, Unsureme....I have my own though I've always played outdoor.........and you can choose the width of bias depending on your style of play or position in a team.....
I think they'd also take into consideration the speed of the green......x

[Unsureme]

Thanks,Jonathan,I play outdoor Bowls in a pretty high-standard League,no one I have asked knows the answer.On a Personal level,if i did not have my own Woods I would be totally lost,as as would lot of Bowlers I speak to.

[Unsureme]

Thanks,gness,but who would colour them for the Players?Could be one Day Red,one Day Green,depending on progress in a Tournament.

[Tilly2]

My bowls are green with speckles on them. Size 0. I have very small hands.

[gness]

I did wonder about that, Unsureme......but I would think there has to be a selection of coloured bowls from which competitors can choose....I would hope so.....I like my own bowls and play well with them.....but I'd be struggling if I were just given some to play with as my hands are very small.....

Maybe a really good player can just pick up a bowl and ....bowl.....I'd probably injure someone......☺

Haven't watched the final yet......the semi was good!

[Unsureme]

gness,I stopped playing Indoors many years ago,"Greens" were too perfect,all you had to do was get Line and Length and you were sorted,not much of a challenge,imo. Plus,the Fees kept creeping up every couple of months.(Hard-up Pensioner,)by the way.

[gness]

I haven't played indoor for such a long time, Unsureme......I just didn't like the greens, as you say...too perfect....clinical and no breeze and wandering dogs to take into consideration... and the folk at the club I went to were a bit prissy.....

Outdoors for me every time......I've had a break for different reasons but my bowls and shoes are here waiting.....x

[Tilly2]

I had no idea that you played bowls too, Gness. We must have a game sometime.

[Unsureme]

Not just me then,gness,will give you and Tilly a game sometime.!

[tonyav]

Can I play ?.

[gness]

I didn't know you played either, Tilly....we will play!

A question Unsureme....and anyone else......

When watching on TV do you lean from side to side to try to make the bowl go where you want it?.....I do......☺

[tonyav]

Lean the bowl.

[Tilly2]

Can you play, Yont? Do you have the equipment?

[gness]

Sorted! Unsureme and Tony against Tilly and Gness!!! Oh that'll be so good!

I am a wee bit competitive ....... ;-)