Why Most Bowlers Struggle With Weight Control (And How to Fix It)

THE ROLL UP - INTRO

In lawn bowls, many players focus heavily on line, but the real separator between average bowlers and consistent performers is weight control.

You can have the perfect line, but if the bowl is too heavy or too short, it won’t finish near the jack.  At higher levels of the game, matches are often decided not by brilliant shots, but by who controls their weight better throughout the game.

The good news is that weight control isn’t just a natural talent - it’s a skill that can be developed with awareness and purposeful practice.

The Secret to Better Weight Control in Bowls

What Is Weight Control?

Weight control is the ability to consistently deliver bowls with the correct pace or speed so they finish at the intended distance.

It’s influenced by several factors including:

• Delivery technique

• Release point of the bowl

• Length of your step

• Rhythm and tempo of the delivery

• Green speed and conditions

When these elements are inconsistent, weight becomes unpredictable.

Why Many Bowlers Struggle With Weight?

After analysing many bowlers’ deliveries through coaching sessions and video analysis, several common patterns appear.

Releasing the Bowl from Too High

One of the most common issues is bowlers dropping the bowl from height rather than rolling it smoothly onto the green.

When the bowl is dropped:

• Momentum is lost

• The bowl can bounce or wobble

• Weight becomes difficult to judge

A lower, smoother release helps maintain momentum and improves consistency.

Inconsistent Delivery Rhythm

Weight control is strongly linked to rhythm.

Many bowlers rush their delivery when they feel pressure, or slow it down too much when trying to play a delicate shot.  This change in tempo leads to inconsistent weight.

The best bowlers develop a repeatable delivery rhythm that stays the same regardless of the shot they are playing.

Poor Balance and Foot Position

Balance is critical during the delivery.

If a bowler’s stance is too narrow or their body is not aligned towards the target line, they often compensate during the delivery motion.  This affects the swing of the arm and the release of the bowl.

A balanced stance with feet around shoulder-width apart allows the body to remain stable and the delivery to remain smooth.

Lack of Structured Practice

Another major reason bowlers struggle with weight control is simply how they practice.

Many players spend practice sessions rolling bowls without a specific goal.  While this may feel productive, it rarely develops the consistency needed for competition.

Improvement comes from purposeful practice, where each delivery has a clear objective and measurable outcome.

How to Improve Your Weight Control

The key to improving weight control is combining good technique with structured practice.

Focus on a Smooth Release

Aim to roll the bowl onto the green rather than dropping it. A slightly longer step can help lower your release point and produce a smoother delivery.

This helps the bowl maintain its natural momentum.

Develop a Consistent Delivery Rhythm

Try to keep the same tempo in every delivery, whether you are drawing to the jack or playing a heavier shot.

A repeatable rhythm makes it much easier to judge weight.

Practice Different Lengths

Weight control improves when bowlers practice delivering bowls to multiple jack lengths.

A simple drill is to roll jacks to various distances and attempt to finish as close as possible to each one. This forces you to constantly adjust weight.

Use Target-Based Drills

Structured drills help bowlers develop consistency faster.

Placing practice targets at different distances allows you to measure how accurately you control weight and provides clear feedback on each delivery.

This type of practice creates a more engaging and effective training session.

Free Weight Control Drill

Free Download: TBA Weight Control Practice Drill

If you want to improve your weight control, structured practice is essential.

We’ve created a free TBA Weight Control Drill that you can use during your next practice session to help develop more consistent pace and distance control.

This drill will help you:

• Develop better feel for different jack lengths
• Improve your delivery rhythm
• Build more consistent weight control

Download the Free TBA Weight Control Drill here:

https://www.thebowlsacademy.com/freeweightcontroldownload

Try incorporating this drill into your next practice session and see how your consistency improves.