The Bow Valley Lawn Bowling club welcomes everyone to come play lawn bowling in a fun and relaxed environment.  We provide both competitive and recreational play.

The Bow Valley Lawn Bowling Club has been a fixture in the Calgary's Hillhurst neighbourhood for over 80 years, since 1932.

It has been recognized as a historical resource by the City of Calgary. 

We have one professionally maintained green with six rinks.

Our bowling season runs May through to October, (weather permitting). Our clubhouse is available for events year round.  Check the event calendar for availability.

What's New for 2017!

• Club Season Opening - Scheduled for 12:00 to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, May 13, weather permitting. This members' only event is traditionally held on Victoria Day (May 22 this year), but we're hoping to have it earlier if the weather cooperates. If it's bad weather on May 13, we'll have the Club Opener on May 22. 
  

• Club rentals are available to members.  Limited club rentals are available to the public.

Club History Project - We are currently trying to updated the history of the club by digitizing all the old club photos and historic documents.  Some of the old photos will appear under the Club History section in the near future. Currently we have many pictures from the late 1980's through the 1990's of former members we cannot identify.  If you are a former club member or related to a former club member please feel free to contact us by email or phone to help us with this project. 

Events - Open to all members and their guests (extra fee for guests)

Club Opening 2017
Scheduled for 12:00 to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, May 13, weather permitting. This members' only event is traditionally held on Victoria Day (May 22 this year), but we're hoping to have it earlier if the weather cooperates. If it's bad weather on May 13, we'll have the Club Opener on May 22. dues on that day.

Mixed Doubles Round Robin Tournament - Starts June 1 and runs all summer. Members only. Sign up with Bob Mergny. $15 entry fee.

Open House -Saturday, June 3, 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Public welcome. Free learn to bowl sessions. This is also National Bowls Day. Come and help us celebrate.

Public lawn bowling lesson night - Wednesday, July 5, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Free introductory bowling lessons. Everyone welcome. No experience necessary.

Black and White Bowls - Sunday, July 23, starting at 2:00 p.m. A members only event.

Hosting Southern Alberta Novice Pairs Tournament - August 12 & 13

Annual BBQ - Saturday, August 26. Members and guests only.

Season Wind Up event - September TBA

Drop-in Bowling for Members & Guests - 7:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays; 10:00 a.m., Wednesdays; and as of July 24, 10:00 a.m., Mondays and Fridays. Please come a bit early so teams can be formed and bowling can start on the hour. The drop-in fee for guests is $10. There's a fee box just inside the back door of the clubhouse. During each of the drop-in bowling times, we will make one rink available for novice bowlers to get coaching from an experienced Club member.

Selecting Your Bowls

Size affects your grip

• Bowls are commonly marked with sizes 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, i.e., from smaller to larger. Larger sizes can range up to 7.

• Select size to suit your hand so as to ensure a comfortable grip. Use the largest bowl you can comfortably handle.

• Wrap both hands around the widest running surface of the bowl. If your middle fingers touch at the bottom and your thumbs at the top, that’s usually your size.

• If the bowl tends to slip or drop on delivery, try a smaller size or lighter weight (see below).

Weight affects momentum

• Bowls are commonly marked M (medium) or H (heavy) to indicate total weight.

• Select weight for comfort with your grip and with delivery.

• A heavier weight gives more momentum and, theoretically, less effort on delivery.

• Weight does not affect trajectory, which is a function of bias (see below). (Bowls were, at one time, weighted on one side to determine trajectory, i.e. a “heavier”

bowl would have a wider trajectory than a lighter one. This is not true of modern bowls.)

Bias determines trajectory

• Bowls are shaped with a bias along the running surface so that the bowl tends to tilt and curve to one side as its speed decreases.

• A narrow bias takes less grass in a slight curve. A wider bias takes more grass in a more pronounced curve.

• Bias varies with the make and model of the bowl. In the current BVLBC inventory, for example, the most common bowls are Drakes Pride Professional Plus and Henselite

Classic, both of which have wide trajectories.

• Theoretically your choice of bias should be influenced by the green speed where you will be playing and by the position you normally play. But experience will determine your personal preference.