In any sport, practice is essential, but in lawn bowls, how you practice makes all the difference. Many bowlers enjoy playing social games to sharpen their skills, yet structured drills are the most effective way to make real improvements on the green.  Here are five reasons why you should be performing drills to improve your game.

1. Building Consistency

Drills focus on repeating specific shots, such as drawing to the jack or practicing weighted deliveries. By isolating these skills, bowlers build consistency and accuracy—two of the most important qualities in the sport. Over time, muscle memory develops, allowing players to execute shots under pressure with confidence.

2. Targeted Improvement

Unlike match or social play, drills are specifically designed to target weaknesses. If your backhand draw is unreliable or your weight control drifts, a focused drill can address that flaw directly. This targeted approach saves time and accelerates progress.

3. Developing Strategy and Awareness

Lawn bowls is as much about tactics as technique. Certain drills replicate real-game scenarios, training players to make better decisions on shot selection, positioning, and head reading. This prepares bowlers not just to deliver the bowl well, but to outthink their opponents.

4. Tracking Progress

Structured drills can be measured—how many successful deliveries out of ten, for example. This allows bowlers to track improvement over weeks and months, making practice more purposeful and rewarding.

5. Confidence on Game Day

When skills are reinforced through repetition, players step onto the green knowing they have prepared properly. Confidence is often the difference between a narrow loss and a crucial win, and drills provide that assurance.

At the Lawn Bowls Academy, we believe drills are the cornerstone of improvement. They transform practice into progress, allowing bowlers of all levels to lift their game. With the right structure and dedication, every player can achieve greater consistency, sharper skills, and stronger performances.  Download our app to help you become a better bowler.