Bowling Greens

There’s something about a bowling lawn that is charismatically British. From its short, neat cut to its rich green colour, it visually represents British summer! But not all lawns look like this. So, what makes bowls turf different? Is there a particular type of bowling green turf? And how do you maintain the perfect bowling greens turf? 

As bowling turf suppliers and specialists, we’ve pulled together this helpful guide to explain the best turf for your beautiful bowling green without impacting your game! 

What Is Bowls Turf Made From? 

Traditionally, bowling greens mix two types of grass seeds: Browntop Bent and Fescue. There are usually two types of fescues in the mix: Chewings Fescue and Slender Creeping Red Fescue. Fescue and bent grass have incredible qualities, which is why they’re used in many turfs, but they are predominantly used in sporting turfs that experience regular impact due to their resilience.

The benefits of fescue 

Fescue is a typically hardwearing turf that can withstand regular footfall and use. It has a strong recovery and regrowth rate, enabling it to handle the close mowing cuts required for a decent bowls lawn. It also thrives in all seasons, and its deep root structure provides enough water and nutrients to last through extreme heat and shaded areas – maintaining a bright green colour all year. 

The benefits of browntop bent 

Browntop bent grass is also highly tolerant to various conditions, such as drought, limited sunlight, and heavy traffic. It also requires fewer chemicals, such as fertiliser, to maintain its qualities, making it a more sustainable grass seed. Bent grass adapts well to different types of soils to continue producing a lush, thick sward that can withstand low mowing heights and provide a wonderful bowls lawn from root to surface. 

So, Which Is The Best Type Of Bowling Turf? 

Any turf that combines the above two grass seeds (fescue and browntop bent), such as our Fine Textured Greens Turf, will make a fantastic bowls lawn turf. Combined, the qualities of each grass seed provide a tough, resilient, and stunning bowls lawn that lasts the entire season.  

Bowling Green Suppliers Near Me  

With sports playing a pivotal role in our communities, lifestyles and well-being, we’re proud to supply premium bowling green turf to several British lawn bowls teams. We’ve specifically teamed up with the best lawn bowls turf farmers in the UK and supply Fine Textured Greens Turf directly to you! But what makes our lawn bowls turf so special? Well, where do we start? 

A great mix of grass seed 

Our bowling green turf consists of 80% fescue and 20% manor browntop bent grass seed — two of the best and most incredibly robust grasses available.  

A fine leaf but dense sward 

Fescue and bent grass seed produce fine leaves, but plenty of them! This means they create a dense sward, which provides a smooth, thick surface for bowls to roll across easily without sinking! 

Extremely tolerant 

Bowling greens lawn turf can withstand a lot, from high footfall and heavy bowls to droughts, shady conditions, and heavy rain, reducing the amount of care and nurturing it needs. 

Strength and resistance 

You want your bowls lawn looking pristine all season. Our bowls turf does exactly that due to its quick recovery, regrowth, and resilience to fight off lawn diseases. 

Excellent drainage and drought resistance 

Grown in sandy soils, our bowling turf has fantastic draining qualities that prevent water from pooling on the surface and keep its roots hydrated. This also means that it sources essential water during heat waves to maintain a beautiful playing surface. 

Fresh green colour all year 

A bright green lawn is iconic of British bowls; it just doesn’t look right without it. Our grass seed combo for your bowls lawn maintains a lush, bright green colour all year round. Giving you an incredibly professional and premium-looking bowling lawn. 

How Important Is The Right Turf In Lawn Bowls? 

A bowls lawn plays a very significant role. Not only does it give the sport its name but it can influence the game. If you use the wrong type of turf or fail to lay your bowls lawn correctly, the surface of play will impact players’ shots and the direction of the bowl.  

Ideally, you want a bowling greens lawn to provides a smooth, flat surface. Grass with a thick sward will help create a carpet-like finish for bowls to roll across easily. A high-quality topsoil on your lawn will prevent any divots, lumps, or bumps, along with a highly tolerant turf that can withstand foot traffic, drought, heavy rainfall, and lawn diseases is perfect.  

Your bowl lawn colour also has a big impact on the game. A brown, yellow, or dull shade of green doesn’t give off the right perception of the game and your team’s status. You want a bowls turf that provides a lush, inviting green throughout the season.  

Maintaining Your Bowls Lawn 

Of course, the type of turf influences the performance and appearance of your bowls lawn. But, like any lawn, it requires some care. Being a sports turf, it requires specific lawn care, which often starts a month before the season begins. This includes fertilising and overseeding any struggling areas, watering the ground, and mowing your bowls lawn, gradually cutting it to its ideal height. Our blog on bowls lawn maintenance provides a step-by-step guide to preserving your bowls lawn.  

Speak To The Experts 

If your bowls turf is looking a bit tired or you’re interested in installing a new bowls lawn, you can order our Fine Textured Greens Turf online or get in touch with our helpful customer services team.