The right pair of bowls shoes is one of the most overlooked pieces of equipment in lawn bowls — yet wearing the wrong footwear can damage the green, invalidate your membership insurance and, in competition, lead to you being asked to leave the green entirely. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Every bowls green — whether grass, artificial or carpet — has a strict flat-soled shoe rule. The reason is simple: conventional trainer soles, running shoes and street shoes have patterns, ridges and heels that mark, scar and damage the playing surface. A bowling green takes years and thousands of pounds to establish and maintain. Even a single heel mark can cause an irregular bounce that affects play for an entire season.
Under World Bowls and Bowls England rules, all players must wear flat-soled shoes throughout any match or competition. For casual practice sessions most clubs enforce the same rule. You will be asked to leave the green if you are wearing incorrect footwear — even if you are a guest or on your very first visit.
The most widely worn type for club and social play. They look like a conventional trainer but have a completely flat, smooth sole with no heel elevation. Lightweight, comfortable for long sessions and available in a wide range of styles. Most players wear this type for both outdoor grass and indoor carpet play.
A smarter, more formal leather or leather-effect shoe with a flat sole. Required by many clubs for competition and county matches. If you plan to represent your club in leagues or county competition, a pair of smart white or grey flat-soled shoes is essential in addition to your casual trainers.
Very lightweight, extremely flat slip-on shoes used exclusively for indoor carpet greens. Because indoor carpets are even more sensitive to sole damage than grass greens, dedicated indoor slippers are required at many indoor centres. Highly recommended if you play indoor bowls regularly.
Australia's leading bowls manufacturer also makes excellent shoes. Their flat-soled trainers are well-regarded for comfort and durability. Available in white and grey. Price range: £45–£90.
The Drakes Pride Trainer is one of the most popular bowls shoes in the UK. Lightweight, well-made and available in multiple widths — useful for players with wider feet. Price range: £40–£75.
Aero produces a well-reviewed flat-soled trainer that is particularly popular with indoor players. Slim profile, very lightweight, available in several colours. Price range: £50–£85.
A specialist bowls shoe brand from the USA with a strong UK following. Excellent fit, durable and available in both trainer and smart shoe styles. Price range: £55–£100.
For social and club practice sessions, most clubs accept any colour flat-soled shoe. For competitive league and county matches, white or very light grey is typically required — check with your club before purchasing.
Bowls shoes represent exceptional value compared to most sports footwear. A quality pair at the £50–£70 price point should last 5–8 years of regular play with proper care. Leather smart shoes last even longer.
Specialist online bowls retailers stock the widest range: Bowls Direct (bowlsdirect.co.uk) and LB Sports (lbsports.co.uk) both carry all major brands with clear flat-sole labelling. Many bowls clubs also stock shoes directly from manufacturers — ask your club secretary. Some large sports retailers carry bowls shoes seasonally, though the range is limited compared to specialist shops.