We have recently introduced ‘Short-Mat Bowls’ over the winter period which has proved a great success with three sessions being played on Thursdays.
With this in mind it has been agreed to put in plans to extend our pavilion to accommodate a full length mat which will allow us to compete in leagues.
The basic skills required for playing the short mat game are exactly those for playing the flat green game indoors and outdoors. These are, of course, line and length. Any short mat player must practice and perfect both as far as possible. He must develop a good ‘eye’ for the line and a good ‘feel’ for the weight he needs to bowl a correct length.
The fact that normal-size bowls can be used will also assist the player in developing his individual grip. He will also learn that it is essential to get the body as close to the playing surface as possible, and he will certainly learn the importance of the speed of the arm coming through to enable him to bowl the required length.
As the title implies, the game is played over a much shorter length than the flat green game. The carpet is between 40-45ft (12.2m – 13.7m) and 6ft (1.8m) wide. At both ends, there is a fender, and 1ft (0.3m) in from the fender there is a white line, representing the ditch. There are other white markings on the carpet but players would be best appraised of the reasons for such markings by studying the rule book.
