MOST non-bowlers assume that a ‘bowler’s arm’ is what hangs off a bowler’s shoulder.

While for many bowlers that might be true, a different type of bowler’s arm is making itself known on bowling greens all over the country and particularly at Karuah.

Karuah Men’s Bowls Club Game Secretary Stephen Gilchrest told News Of The Area, “the increase in the use of these mechanical bowling arms was keeping bowlers in the game longer and letting many new bowlers who worry about bad backs and knees injuries take up the sport.”

Although there are different types of bowling arms, they all have in common the ability to be used to pick up a bowl and allow the bowler to swing and release the bowl while standing up straight.

This means that backs and knees don’t have to be bent and aren’t put under as much strain.

It also allows a lower bowl release height, preventing damage to grass and carpet greens from bowls released too high.

When the Karuah RSL Club realised the value of ‘Arms’ in preserving both bowlers and greens, they generously purchased three brand new arms for the bowling club members to try and use.

These loaner arms have allowed both new and experienced bowlers to give arms a try.

President Jim Healey, himself an ‘arm bowler’ said “although they do require an experienced bowler to change their delivery a bit, the benefits of keeping bowlers in the game and allowing new bowlers to play is a real bonus.”

Experienced bowlers traditionally tend to be just a tad conservative and tend to resist change just on principle.

Interestingly it seems, at least at Karuah, those games that are good enough to try using an arm have now become some of the strongest advocates of using them.

If you’d like to try bowling, even if you have resisted before because of concerns about backs and knees, give the Karuah Club a ring.

Bowls are on every Tuesday and Thursday weather permitting, names by 9:30AM and on the green at 10:00AM.

Loaner gear is available and they are even having a come and have a try (with a free BBQ) at 3PM on Sunday 6 February.

See you at Karuah.

 

By Trevor DAVIES