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Bowls vs. Boules — What's the Difference?

By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 13, 2024
Bowls, a lawn game, involves rolling slightly asymmetric balls towards a smaller target ball, whereas Boules, often played on dirt or sand, involves throwing or rolling metal balls as close as possible to a target.
Bowls vs. Boules — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Bowls and Boules

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Key Differences

Bowls is traditionally played on a flat, manicured lawn or indoor surface, aiming to place balls near a target called a "jack". The balls are biased, curving as they slow. On the other hand, Boules, including Pétanque, is typically played on rough surfaces like dirt or gravel, with players throwing metal balls (boules) towards a smaller target ball (jack or cochonnet), aiming for proximity.
Bowls involves careful strategy in the placement and direction of the balls, utilizing their bias for tactical advantage. Whereas, Boules focuses more on the player's ability to throw with precision and control, often requiring the player to knock opponents' balls away from the target.
In Bowls, the playing area is a rectangular green, with precise dimensions and a smooth, level surface. In contrast, Boules games can be played on any reasonably flat open space, with varying conditions that can affect the game's dynamics.
Bowls competitions and clubs are prevalent in countries like the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, reflecting its popularity and formal organization. Boules, particularly Pétanque, enjoys widespread popularity in France and other parts of Europe, often played casually in public squares and parks.
The equipment in Bowls consists of the biased balls and a jack, with specific materials and sizes regulated by governing bodies. Boules, on the other hand, uses metal balls and a smaller wooden or synthetic target ball, with fewer restrictions on equipment.
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Comparison Chart

Playing Surface

Manicured lawn or indoor surface
Dirt, gravel, or sand

Ball Material

Typically composite or wood
Metal

Target Ball

Called a "jack"; smaller and round
Called a "jack" or "cochonnet"; smaller and round

Strategy

Utilizes the bias of balls for positioning
Focuses on throwing precision and ball displacement

Popularity

Common in the UK, Australia, New Zealand
Predominantly played in France and Southern Europe

Compare with Definitions

Bowls

A lawn game where players roll biased balls towards a smaller ball (jack).
He played bowls every weekend at the local club.

Boules

A collective term for games involving throwing or rolling metal balls towards a target.
They gathered in the park for a casual game of boules.

Bowls

Competitions range from casual club play to international tournaments.
He won the national bowls championship last year.

Boules

Popular in Europe, especially France, played on various surfaces.
The boules tournament attracted players from across the country.

Bowls

Equipment includes biased balls and a jack.
New bowls equipment was purchased by the club for the upcoming season.

Boules

Can be played in public spaces, requiring minimal setup.
Locals set up a boules game in the square every evening.

Bowls

Played on flat, smooth surfaces for precision rolling.
The bowls green was meticulously maintained for the tournament.

Boules

Precision and strategy in throwing are key.
Her throw was so precise, placing the boule next to the cochonnet.

Bowls

Involves strategy in ball placement and use of bias.
She expertly curved her bowl around an opponent's to get closer to the jack.

Boules

Equipment includes metal balls and a small target ball.
He brought his own set of boules to the game, preferring the weight and feel.

Bowls

Bowls, or lawn bowls, is a sport in which the objective is to roll biased balls so that they stop close to a smaller ball called a "jack" or "kitty". It is played on a bowling green, which may be flat (for "flat-green bowls") or convex or uneven (for "crown green bowls").

Boules

Boules (French pronunciation: ​[bul]) is a collective name for a wide range of games similar to bowls and bocce (In French: jeu or jeux, in Italian: gioco or giochi) in which the objective is to throw or roll heavy balls (called boules in France, and bocce in Italy) as close as possible to a small target ball, called the jack in English. Boules-type games are traditional and popular in many European countries and are also popular in some former French colonies in Africa and Asia.

Bowls

A hemispherical vessel, wider than it is deep, used for holding food or fluids.

Boules

The lower house of the modern Greek legislature.

Bowls

The contents of such a vessel.

Boules

The senate of 400 founded by Solon in ancient Athens.

Bowls

A drinking goblet.

Boules

A legislative assembly in any one of the ancient Greek states.

Bowls

A bowl-shaped part, as of a spoon or pipe.

Boules

Often boules (bl) Any of several related bowling games, such as bocce or pétanque, traditionally played on an outdoor court.

Bowls

A bowl-shaped topographic depression.

Boules

The ball used in one of these games.

Bowls

A bowl-shaped stadium or outdoor theater.

Boules

A round loaf of bread.

Bowls

(Football) Any of various postseason games played between specially selected teams, especially at the college level.

Boules

A pear-shaped synthetic sapphire, ruby, or other alumina-based gem, produced by fusing and tinting alumina.

Bowls

A ball, traditionally made of wood, that is weighted or slightly flattened so as to roll with a bias, used in lawn bowling.

Boules

Plural of boule

Bowls

A roll or throw of a ball in lawn bowling and other bowling games.

Boules

Bowls; a game played with metal balls.

Bowls

Bowls(used with a sing. verb) See lawn bowling.

Bowls

A revolving cylinder or drum in a machine.

Bowls

To participate in a game of bowling
I bowl every Thursday night in a league.

Bowls

To throw or roll a ball in a game of bowling
It's your turn to bowl.

Bowls

To hurl a cricket ball from one end of the pitch toward the batsman at the other, keeping the arm straight throughout the delivery.

Bowls

To move quickly and smoothly, especially by rolling
The sportscar bowled along through the countryside.

Bowls

To throw or roll (a ball).

Bowls

To make (a specified score) in bowling
Placed first by bowling 237.
Bowled a strike in the first frame.

Bowls

To perform (a specified amount, as a string or game) in bowling
She bowled eight frames before deciding to use a different ball.

Bowls

To move quickly and smoothly by or as if by rolling
Bowled a tire from the garage.

Bowls

To meet or strike with or as if with the force of a rapidly rolling object
The swimmer was bowled over by the wave.

Bowls

Plural of bowl

Bowls

A precision sport where the goal is to roll biased balls (weighted on one side, and called bowls) closer to a smaller white ball (the jack or kitty) than one's opponent is able to do.

Bowls

A ball used in the game of bowls

Bowls

See Bowl, a ball, a game.

Bowls

Lawn bowling at a jack using biased wooden balls

Common Curiosities

What equipment is required for Boules?

Boules requires metal balls and a smaller target ball, known as a jack or cochonnet.

What equipment is needed for Bowls?

You need biased balls and a jack to play Bowls.

Are Bowls and Boules played worldwide?

Yes, both are played worldwide but have varying degrees of popularity, with Bowls more common in the English-speaking world and Boules in France and Southern Europe.

Is physical strength important in Boules?

Precision and skill are more important than strength in Boules.

Can children play Bowls or Boules?

Yes, both games are suitable for children, though Boules may be easier for them to pick up due to the simpler concept of throwing.

How do you win in Bowls?

By having more of your balls closer to the jack than your opponent's closest ball at the end of a round.

Can Bowls be played on any lawn?

Ideally, it should be played on a smooth, well-maintained lawn for accuracy.

What is the main difference between Bowls and Boules?

Bowls is played on a flat surface with biased balls aimed at a jack, focusing on the curve of the ball, while Boules involves throwing metal balls straight towards a target on varied surfaces.

Can Bowls and Boules be played indoors?

Bowls can be played indoors on specially designed surfaces, whereas Boules is typically played outdoors but can be adapted for indoor play.

Is special footwear required for playing Bowls?

Yes, flat-soled shoes are typically required to protect the lawn.

What is the ideal number of players for a game of Boules?

Boules can be played individually or in teams, typically with two to four players on each side.

Are there professional leagues for Bowls and Boules?

Yes, there are professional and amateur leagues and tournaments for both sports.

What's the best way to practice Boules?

Practicing throwing for accuracy and control, ideally on different surfaces, is the best way to improve at Boules.

How does the surface affect a game of Boules?

The surface can significantly affect the roll and strategy, with players needing to adjust their throws accordingly.

How is scoring done in Boules?

Points are awarded for each ball that is closer to the cochonnet than the opponent's closest ball.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat

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