American bowls is a sport that is played in the United States and Canada. The word "bowls" is spelled with an "s" at the end, not a "z", which is the British spelling. In IPA phonetic transcription, "bowls" is pronounced as /boʊlz/. This word is a plural form of "bowl", which is pronounced as /boʊl/. Unlike in some other sports, the pronunciation of the word does not change whether it is singular or plural. So, remember to spell it with an "s" in American bowls!
American bowls refers to a specific type of game played predominantly in North America that incorporates elements of both bowling and bocce. It is commonly referred to as "American bowls" to differentiate it from other variations of the traditional sport of bowls played with slight variations in other parts of the world.
The game is typically played on a flat, groomed playing surface known as a rink or green. It involves tossing or rolling biased balls, often referred to as bowls, towards a target ball called the jack. The objective is to get one's bowls as close as possible to the jack, while also strategically attempting to displace opponents' bowls and prevent them from scoring points.
While traditional bowls is played on grass, American bowls often takes place on artificial surfaces, allowing for consistent and smooth gameplay. The bowls used in American bowls are larger and may have a slight bias, causing them to curve or bend as they roll.
American bowls can be played in various formats, including singles, pairs, triples, and fours, where teams or individuals compete against each other. Similar to bowling and bocce, the game requires a combination of skill, strategy, and precision to accurately place and manipulate the bowls. It is a popular recreational activity for individuals of all ages and can be enjoyed competitively or casually.
In summary, American bowls is a unique variation of the sport that combines elements of bowling and bocce and is played on a flat surface with biased balls, aiming to get as close as possible to the target jack while strategically outplaying opponents.