Australia Blog: Lawn Bowls by the Brisbane River

May 04, 2004

Lawn Bowls by the Brisbane River

If you're looking for something to do that's a little different, but still plenty of fun, I can highly recommend an afternoon of Lawn Bowls at the Merthyr Bowls Club in New Farm.

The Ging had bowled before, but I was a newbie - as were the 10 or so other people who came along to farewell young Bronwyn's 29th year. We received a run down of the rules of the game, a quick demonstration of which way the (weighted) bowl will curve, and expectations about our behaviour (no shoes on the green, no 'driving', beer is allowed on the green - but don't put your glass on the grass).

After a few initial hiccups of sending our bowls in the wrong direction and interfering with other people's games, we all settled into a good rhythm and even managed to get close a few times. Two hours of bowling was just about perfect and while I'm no challenger for an Olympic medal, I'd definitely go again.

As part of the bowling deal, you also received a BBQ lunch involving steak (fish is available if you arrange in advance) and a multitude of salads. I've also heard the beer prices are from 1962, but I reckon they were closer to 1999. Still, no complaints about that.

But if all that sounds pretty cool, even better is the location. You're right on the Brisbane River with great views, great atmosphere and if you choose a spring or autumn day, the weather is perfect. Warm enough during the afternoon and a cooling breeze in the evening.

Where: Merthyr Bowls Club, Oxlade Drive, New Farm (07) 3245-7833
Price: $20 per person for 2 hours bowling and BBQ/salad lunch
Reservations required.

Pictures will hopefully soon be available. Bronwyn was sartorially resplendent in her bowling whites and I think it would be a shame if I didn't share that.

Posted by Chris on May 4, 2004 01:20 PM Brisbane Time
Category: Brisbane, Sport, Travel Tips

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Comments

Sounds pretty cool, especially the bbq. Ever feel like powering one down the middle and yelling 'STRIKE!!!'?

Posted by: Nick on May 4, 2004 08:26 PM

That would be 'driving', Nick, and that's simply not allowed... Bronny tried to get me 'speed bowling', but I put my foot down firmly and said, 'No, Bron, I will not do that'...

'We must respect the game and its rules,' I said...

Saw the pics last night, and Chris should be posting 'em today - they are GOLD!

Bowling Ging

Posted by: Ging on May 5, 2004 10:04 AM

I'll post 'em as soon as Bronny can get them to me. Might be tomoz. Either way, they're Crackerjack!

Posted by: Chris on May 5, 2004 10:45 AM

I'm having difficulty visualizing this - bowling on grass. Can't be too smooth. What's driving?

I'm with Nick. The BBQ I can handle!

Posted by: Mary on May 5, 2004 11:02 AM

The pix might explain it better, Mary. The grass is cut very short - think of a snooker table or a putting green.

The bowls are weighted on one side so they have a curved trajectory when bowled and the aim is to get it as close to the "jack," a smaller white ball that is placed at the other end of the "rink". If your opponent's bowl is closer to the jack, and you want to knock it away, you can send down one of your bowls really fast (which negates most of the curve) and try to hit it. That's driving - and amateurs like us aren't allowed to do it.

Posted by: Chris on May 5, 2004 11:11 AM

Though Janita gave it [driving!] a good bash! She loved 'the gutter' our Jo...

Chris, you're sounding like quite the expert, there... Just a few extra bits of info - the 'weighted side' is called the 'bias' and the 'jack' is also called the 'kitty' (I think)... as were the, ah, 'jacks'/toilets... jacks for the boys, kitty for the gals... all very confusing isn't it...

Posted by: Ging on May 5, 2004 11:25 AM

You are correct, young Ging. I found some more lawn bowls terms over here:

http://www.portrushbowlingclub.co.uk/terms.htm

Posted by: Chris on May 5, 2004 01:21 PM

Wow! There's some terminology...

I've been to Portrush - nice drop o' poiteen up there loik...

Go on yer good tings...

Gaeilge Bowling Ging

Posted by: Ging on May 5, 2004 01:34 PM

Thanks, Chris and Ging. The fuzziness is gone. I still prefer the BBQ, though. Seriously, I'd take a swing at lawn howling, I mean bowling.

Posted by: Mary on May 7, 2004 07:41 AM

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