Short Mat Bowls differs from the indoor game that you may have seen on television in that it takes place on a much smaller playing surface. That surface is rolled out for the start of play and stored away again afterwards. This makes Short Mat a form of bowls that may be played almost anywhere that has room for a 45 ft long carpet, making it popular in communities with a village hall or something similar.

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Players come in all ages, shapes, and sizes. There are few people who are unable to play. As in any competitive game or sport, competition can be fierce, but equally games can produce a lot of laughs and camaraderie. Men and women, boys and girls can all play on an equal footing - and do.

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The distance we bowl may be somewhat less than when playing the more widely recognised indoor bowls but the skill and judgement needed to play to a high level is still considerable. There is a wooden block placed at the centre of the carpet to obstruct the direct line to the head, encouraging a drawing game. The bowls are exactly the same as those used in the bigger game, both indoors and out, having a natural tendency to swing (a bias) in one direction or the other rather than travel in a straight line.

 

Tactics play a large part in the game too, and this is something newcomers will quickly learn about from playing with more experienced exponents of the game.  Different venues will each also present their own problems or idiosyncrasies. Tiny inconsistences in the flooring beneath the carpets will have an effect on the bowls. This can give a home club a distinct advantage over visitors who are unfamiliar with the venue. Learning quickly how the carpets play at an unfamiliar venue can pay dividends in a match!

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For anyone unfamiliar with the terminology, we have included a glossary of terms and also some diagrams that may help with understanding Short Mat bowls.