4 Common Injuries In Lawn Bowls - And How To Prevent Them

An evidence-based guide to the most common injuries in lawn bowls, clinical recovery timescales from sports medicine authorities, and essential prevention strategies on and off the green.

Lawn bowls is celebrated globally for its gentle, low-impact accessibility, bringing together hundreds of thousands of registered players across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and North America.

While lawn bowls is among the safest competitive sports, participating in any physical activity carries an inherent risk of musculoskeletal injury. To help protect yourself and recognize warning signs early, explore the common ailments detailed below alongside our dedicated guide on preventing lawn bowls knee pain.

Common Injuries In Lawn Bowls

According to epidemiological research published by Sports Medicine Australia (SMA), nearly one-fifth of bowlers admitted to hospital emergency departments following a bowling accident require ongoing clinical treatment. Understanding how and why these occur is the first step toward staying safe.

1. Slips, Trips, and Falls (59% of Injuries)

Falls account for nearly 59% of all reported bowling injuries. The primary mechanisms include:

• Stepping forward over the ditch when entering or leaving the rink, rather than stepping down sideways or using designated entry points.
• Tripping backwards over a stationary bowl or mat during tactical head discussions.
• Slipping on wet grass, morning dew, or slick synthetic carpet, or navigating uneven perimeter paving.

According to clinical data, falls frequently lead to fractures (35%)—principally of the wrist (Colles fracture from an outstretched hand) and ankle—as well as contusions and soft-tissue lacerations (23%). Per NHS clinical guidelines, recovery from an uncomplicated wrist or ankle fracture generally requires 6 to 12 weeks of immobilization followed by structured physiotherapy rehabilitation.

2. Overexertion & Heat Illness (31% of Injuries)

Overexertion represents almost a third of bowling-related medical presentations. Summer tournaments often involve 6 to 8 hours outdoors under direct sun. Without adequate hydration, broad-brimmed hats, and sun protection, players—particularly those aged 55 to 75—are highly vulnerable to heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Overexertion also occurs when returning to competitive play too quickly after an initial muscle strain, triggering chronic tendon tendinopathies or recurring joint inflammation.

3. Repetitive Strain & Biomechanical Overuse

A single bowler may deliver 40 to 60 bowls in a league game and upwards of 150 bowls in a weekend tournament. Repeated lunging and asymmetric arm swings place cumulative mechanical demand on the lumbar spine, hips, and wrist flexor tendons:

• Lumbar muscle strains: Frequent bending and lateral trunk twisting can cause acute low-back muscular spasm.
• Wrist tendinitis: Holding a heavy bowl through an extended backswing can irritate wrist tendons; typical recovery for minor tendinitis ranges from 2 to 6 weeks with proper rest and splinting.
• Hip and adductor strains: Over-striding on delivery lunges can strain the adductors or gluteal tendons.

4. Being Struck by Bowls

Direct impact from bowls accounts for approximately 8% of recorded incidents. When skips execute high-velocity "drive" or "firing" shots (where a 1.5 kg bowl travels at 25–30 mph), deflections into the head can cause severe bruises, foot contusions, or hairline fractures. Always stay alert and never turn your back when an opponent is delivering a weighted shot.

Evidence-Based Injury Prevention

Most bowling injuries are entirely preventable with sensible on-green habits and physical preparation recommended by Sports Medicine Australia and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy:

1. Dynamic Warm-Up & Balance Preparation

Spend 5 to 10 minutes walking and gently mobilizing your neck, shoulders, hips, and ankles before taking your first delivery. Incorporate single-leg balance drills during practice sessions to strengthen the stabilizing muscles of the lower leg and core.

2. Ditch Safety & Green Etiquette

Always step sideways or use club steps when entering the green. When walking around the head, scan the surface for stationary bowls to avoid tripping, and step backward onto the bank only after verifying your footing.

3. Proper Footwear & Sun Protection

Wear flat-soled bowling shoes with sufficient tread and arch support to avoid slips on wet surfaces. Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, wear UV-protective sunglasses, and drink water consistently throughout the game—do not wait until you feel thirsty.

4. When to Seek Urgent Clinical Care (Red Flags)

Following a fall or trauma on the green, seek prompt clinical evaluation (via NHS 111, A&E, or an urgent treatment centre) if you notice any of these signs:

• Inability to bear weight on an ankle or foot
• Visible deformity, abnormal angle, or severe rapid swelling around a joint
• Numbness, loss of sensation, or pale/cold fingers or toes
• Signs of concussion after a fall (dizziness, nausea, confusion, or headache)
• Symptoms of severe heat stroke (confusion, cessation of sweating, hot dry skin, vomiting)

Conclusion

Lawn bowls is one of the most rewarding lifelong sports available. By warming up before play, maintaining awareness of ditches and stationary bowls, staying well hydrated, and using approved delivery aids when needed, you can enjoy injury-free bowling for many seasons.