ROCHESTER BLIND BOWLING GROUP
Blind Bowling Explained
"How can blind people play bowls?" "How do they know where the jack is?" "How far from the jack is my wood?" Natural enough questions - answered here:
Visually impaired or blind bowlers play the game with some assistance from the marker.
When he/she delivers a wood, the marker gives information about where the wood is, in relation to the jack. In order to give an accurate idea to the bowler, the position of the wood is given in terms of a clock. The distance is given in imperial measure, in yards, feet or inches.
Thus, if the wood finishes in line with the jack, but three yards short, then the marker calls
"Three yards at 6 o'clock."
The following pictures and 'calls' should help to explain the method more clearly.
The example shows an end between two bowlers, using 4 woods each. The marker will give information to both bowlers, in turn, according to the clock method:
| Black | Marker to Black | Blue | Marker to Blue |
| Black has put up the jack to 31 yards | Black has put up the jack to 31 yards | ||
| Black, your 1st wood is 3 yards short, at 5 o'clock Blue's turn | Blue, your wood is 4 feet from the jack, at 1 o'clock | ||
| Very good shot, Black, you are 1 yard from the jack, at 4 o'clock | Great backhand, Blue. You are 1 yard from the jack, at 11 o'clock - a measure for shot wood. | ||
| A brilliant backhand, Black. You are 18 inches through, at 12 o'clock. Shot wood! | That's another tremendous backhand, Blue. You are 1 foot from the jack, at 9 o'clock (Jack high and shot wood)! | ||
| Super forehand, Black. That has knocked out Blues wood. Your's is now 15 inchesl from the jack, 2nd wood. You are holding 2 shots. | An amazing backhand from you, Blue! You've played a splendid drawing shot - 6 inches from the jack , at 9 o'clock. That's the end to you, Blue, by one wood | ||
Hopefully, that explains things - a little!
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