BOWL, COMPETE & CONNECT

Experience Bowls on the Real Green

🌿 Bowls for Everyone ðŸŒ¿â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹
From First-Time Players to Competitive Bowlers

Whether you're a seasoned competitor, a social bowler, or trying bowls for the very first time, Piha Bowling Club offers a friendly and welcoming environment to play, learn, compete, and connect.

Played on one of New Zealand's few remaining natural grass greens, bowls at Piha combines sporting challenge, friendly competition, and the unique atmosphere of our iconic West Coast community. From casual roll-ups and social events to club championships, tournaments, and representative competitions, there are opportunities for players of all ages and experience levels.

Never played before? No problem. We regularly welcome new bowlers and visitors, and we're always happy to help you get started. Coaching, club bowls, and social play provide the perfect introduction to the game.

Whether you're looking to improve your skills, enjoy a social afternoon on the green, or compete at a higher level, there's a place for you at Piha Bowling Club.

Notices

Enjoy bowls on our natural grass green

Compete in club championships and seasonal tournaments

Build friendships and connections within a supportive club environment

Experience bowls in one of Auckland's most unique coastal settings

A Quick Guide to Lawn Bowls

Whether you're joining us for a social roll-up, or considering becoming a member, lawn bowls is a fun, easy-to-learn game that anyone can enjoy.

This quick guide covers the basics of the game, including the equipment you'll need, how to start a game, understanding bowl bias, and how scoring works. Within a few minutes, you'll be ready to step onto the green and give it a go.

No experience is necessary, just bring comfortable clothing, flat-soled shoes and a sense of fun.

See you on the green!

What do you need for a game?

How do we start playing?

Each playing lane is marked by a number in the centre of the green and two white boundary markers.

  1. Find your lane number and the two white boundary markers.
  2. Place the mat in line with your lane number.
  3. Roll the jack to the other end and position it in line with the same number at the far end.
  4. Start bowling and aim to finish closest to the jack.

💡​​​​​​​Tip: Always stay between the two white boundary markers when setting up and playing your end.

What is a bias (on the bowling ball)?

Unlike a normal ball, a lawn bowl is designed with a bias, meaning one side is weighted more heavily than the other.

The smaller symbol on the bowl indicates the weighted side. As the bowl travels down the green, it will naturally curve towards this side. Learning to use the bias is part of the fun and skill of the game.

Remember: At least one foot must remain on the mat when delivering your bowl.

How do you score?

Club Championships

Our annual championship programme offers members the opportunity to compete for club honours across a range of singles, pairs, triples, and fours events. Championship events are open to eligible playing members and are a great way to challenge yourself while enjoying competitive bowls in a friendly environment.

Club Tournaments

Social Bowls

New to Bowls?

Ways to Get Involved

All club championships, tournaments, and competition events are conducted in accordance with Piha Bowling Club Conditions of Play and the applicable Bowls New Zealand Laws of the Sport.

Participants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with competition requirements, eligibility criteria, dress standards, and event conditions before entering.

Detailed competition information and conditions of play are available below.

Draft 2026/2027 Bowls Programme Released

At the 71st Annual General Meeting held on 21 June 2026, Bowls Convenor Hannah Neville presented the draft Bowls Playing Programme for the 2026/2027 season.

The proposed programme places a stronger focus on Club Championship events while maintaining a balanced mix of competitive, social, and community-based bowling opportunities throughout the season.

New initiatives include a six-week Spring Twilight Triples Competition and a Late Summer Twilight Competition, designed to encourage greater participation and provide an enjoyable pathway for social and family members to become more involved in the sport.

The Club also plans to continue hosting a range of popular social tournaments and themed events, including the annual St Patrick's Day Tournament and other community-focused competitions that have become favourites on the Club calendar.

Members are encouraged to review the draft programme and provide feedback prior to Opening Day in September, when the final playing programme will be confirmed.

Conditions of Play

Eligibility

  • Open to financial Full and Social Members, unless otherwise stated in the tournament conditions.
  • Visiting bowlers may be invited at the discretion of the Tournament Committee.

Dress Code

  • Whites or club shirts for championship play.
  • Mufti (tidy casual) may be permitted for fun/social events if stated.

Format of Play

  • All matches shall be played under Bowls New Zealand Laws of the Sport unless otherwise stated.
  • Number of bowls per player and length of games (sets, ends, or points) will be listed in tournament notices.

Start Times

  • All games start promptly at the advertised time.
  • A team/player arriving more than 10 minutes late may forfeit the match.

Scorecards

  • Must be completed and signed by both skips at the conclusion of each match.
  • Results to be handed to the Tournament Director immediately.


Umpires & Disputes

  • Decisions of the Umpire (or Tournament Convenor if no Umpire appointed) are final.

Green Etiquette

  • Respect the green at all times (no dumping bowls, no smoking/vaping, no food/drink on the green).
  • Children and pets are not permitted on the green during play.

Sportsmanship

  • Good conduct is expected at all times.
  • Abuse, intimidation, or unsportsmanlike behaviour will result in disqualification.
  • Any dispute must be lodged before the next end is started.

Play Interrupted

  • If weather prevents completion, the Tournament Committee may reduce ends or reschedule.
  • Games abandoned before halfway may be replayed. If after halfway, scores stand.

Trophies

  • Will be awarded as advertised.

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