How far must the jack go in lawn bowls?
I · Intermediate · The game · 3 of 7The player starting the end delivers the jack. It must stop at least 23 metres from the mat line and inside the rink, not in the ditch. It is then moved sideways to the centre line. A jack stopping within 2 metres of the front ditch is moved back to 2 metres. If the jack is delivered improperly, the opponent re-delivers it.
How it works
- Who: the player to play first in the end.
- Centring: the jack is moved to the centre line at the same distance from the mat line.
- Improper delivery: in the ditch, outside the rink, less than 23 m from the mat line after centring, or after touching the bank or anything outside the rink.
- After an improper delivery: the opponent places the mat and re-delivers, but does not bowl first.
- Both improper: the jack is placed on the centre line 2 m from the front ditch.
- Too near the ditch: a jack stopping less than 2 m from the front ditch is placed 2 m out.
- Wrong player: if noticed before each side has bowled, the right player restarts the end; after that, play goes on.
- After the first bowl: the jack position can no longer be challenged.
- Domestic play: 23 m may become 21 m.
The glossary has the improper delivery of the jack, the centring the jack, the jack less than 2 m from the front ditch, the mat line, the jack and the marker.
Tricky cases
The jack stops 22 m from the mat. Can it be played?
No. It is improperly delivered, and the opponent re-delivers it.
The opponent re-delivers the jack. Do they then bowl first?
No. The original player still bowls first.
The jack runs into the ditch on delivery. Is it live?
No. A delivered jack in the ditch is improperly delivered. Only a jack knocked in by a bowl can be live there.
Both players deliver the jack badly. What now?
It is placed on the centre line 2 m from the front ditch, and the first player places the mat.
Why the rule exists
The minimum length keeps ends from being played too short. Giving the jack to the opponent after a bad delivery stops a player from gaining by throwing it badly.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Jack length | At least 23 m | WB Law 10.1.3 |
| Domestic play | May be 21 m | WB Law 10.5 |
| Near the ditch | Placed at 2 m | WB Law 9.2 |
From the rule book
World Bowls, Laws of the Sport of Bowls, Crystal Mark Fourth Edition (August 2022), Definition C.1 and Laws 9 and 10. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the World Bowls Laws of the Sport of Bowls.