- Do you run a short mat bowls league?
- Are you thinking of investing in a short mat bowls carpet?
- Maybe you’re just a bowls anorak with a bit of an obsession about the short mat bowls playing surface!
If you’re any of the above then this post might just be a handy little reference for you, as it gives an overview of the types of bowls carpet that are available and what you should be aware of; especially if you’re thinking of investing in one for your short mat bowls league.
Size
All short mat bowls carpets are made 6 feet wide. In terms of length however, they range from 40 – 45 feet, so the size you opt for should be based on how much space you have for your playing area.
Size When Rolled
How big your carpet is when it’s rolled (in other words, the diameter) is an important factor to take into account and is one that is often overlooked. In most instances, a short mat bowls carpet is rolled up and stored away between matches, so you need to be sure that it will fit in the storage area you plan on using.
The diameter of a rolled mat is usually around 24 inches, but this can vary depending on the thickness of the carpet’s underlay – so make sure you check this out!
Weight
Weight is another factor to think about in regards to storage of your carpet. As you’re most likely going to be rolling it and storing it away after a game, you might not fancy the idea of a chunky, heavyweight mat that takes a team of 10 men to lift! As a general guide, the average weight for a short mat bowls carpet is around 45kg which, in most cases is a manageable weight for 2 to 3 people.
Speed
Most manufacturers supply carpets with either a medium or fast pace. The speed of a carpet is influenced by what the surface is made from (usually felt or a synthetic fibre) and also the underlay; which can be a latex or foam backing.
The floor on which you plan to lay the carpet will also play a part in how it runs, although any uneven surfaces can be compensated for by choosing a carpet with a stiffer underlay; such as a chipfoam back; or even by using an additional stiff underlay beneath the actual carpet.
Durability
If you expect to be rolling your carpet up and down in order to stow it away on a
fairly regular basis, it could suffer from a little wear and tear sooner than you think. With that in mind, you might want to consider investing in a hard wearing carpet that can cope with frequent handling more effectively. Carpets with backings made of latex foam with jute scrim are well known in the bowls carpet manufacturing industry for their durable properties so they could be well worth a look.
Colour
Perhaps not the be all and end all but most manufacturers provide their short mat bowls carpets in various shades of green or blue. So take your pick!
Line Markings
Most short mat bowls carpets are supplied line marked and ready for play. The white tape which is used to mark out the lines can be purchased separately, as can an unmarked carpet; but you might find it makes life easier if you buy a carpet where someone else has already done the job for you. And you can be sure that the line’s will be straight!
Price
The cost of a short mat bowls carpet generally ranges from around £600 to £900, depending on the quality of the surface and how hard wearing it is. It’s fair to say that you get what you pay for with a bowls carpet; so once you’ve decided on the type you need based on the above considerations, it’s probably worth investing in the best that your budget can afford.
So there you have it. Armed with the above knowledge, you should hopefully be in a better position to make a more informed decision if you’re planning on buying a short mat bowls carpet. Unfortunately, I can’t guarantee that being a bowls carpet guru will make you a better bowler – I’m afraid that part is down to you!
