One of the most popular sports in the world is offering free lessons in Mississauga

One of Mississauga’s best sports clubs, the Port Credit Lawn Bowling Club, will be kicking off their new season with three open houses and free lessons this spring.

The club is the only place in Mississauga to offer the increasingly popular sport of lawn bowling. It’s something of a hidden gem, located at 1375 Cawthra Rd behind the Carmen Corbasson Centre in Port Credit.

Those who haven’t played lawn bowling before should know that the sport is extremely accessible to players of all ages, abilities and fitness levels. It’s played by singles, couples, students, retirees, and sports enthusiasts of all ages, and you don’t need to bring anything to the club but comfortable clothing and flat-soled shoes!

Anyone interested in checking it out is invited to attend one of three upcoming open houses, where the club’s friendly members will talk about the club and the basics of lawn bowling. The open houses happen on the following dates:

• Saturday, April 27: 10 am to 1 pm
• Sunday, April 28: 1 pm to 3 pm
• Saturday, May 4: 10 am to 1 pm

Come to an open house and sign up for free “Learn to Bowl” lessons offered on select days and times in May.

There are a few reasons why lawn bowling has been getting more popular recently:

1. It’s an incredibly fun sport that can be played indoors or outdoors

Lawn bowling is played outdoors on a flat grassy or synthetic surface (but can be played indoors as well). Players take turns rolling their balls, called bowls, towards a smaller ball called a jack. The goal is to get your bowls as close to the jack as possible, and points are awarded for how many of your bowls are closer to the jack than your opponent’s bowls.

The game can be played one-on-one or in teams, as well as casually or competitively, so it’s well suited to players of all kinds. It’s a great way to get some exercise and unwind, especially after a busy or stressful day.

2. It’s a moderate, low-impact sport

No matter how lawn bowling is played, it’s a sport that can be enjoyed by all ages and fitness levels.  Youth, adults and seniors will all find the game easy to learn but challenging to master. It’s a sport that will exercise your body and mind while being a lot of fun!

3. It’s affordable and light on equipment

You don’t need much equipment to enjoy lawn bowling. All you need is a set of lawn bowls (the club has sets of bowls freely available for those new to the sport), flat-soled shoes, and comfortable clothing that’s easy to move around in.

4. It’s great for socializing and meeting new people

Lawn bowling is a very social sport, especially at the Port Credit Lawn Bowling Club. The club hosts a range of regular activities throughout the week during the daytime and evening. Players can choose when they want to come in and play, as there is no team commitment.

Special events include club social tournaments, a competitive pairs league, and open tournaments where teams from outside the club join in for a full day of competition.  Occasionally throughout the summer, a catered lunch or a BBQ is held where bowlers get time to enjoy a good meal and socialize with each other in the spacious and well-designed clubhouse.

Check their calendar to see when all events are held.

5. It’s a good way to get outside and soak up the sun

Games are played outdoors at the Port Credit Lawn Bowling Club, and the season runs from May to October to take advantage of the warm sunny weather. Each game is approximately two hours, with morning bowling usually starting at 10 a.m. There’s also evening bowling at 7 p.m. for those who want to play after finishing work/school, or simply prefer to play later in the day.

Whether you already love lawn bowling or you want to try it out for the first time, everyone is invited to check out the Port Credit Lawn Bowling Club. Don’t miss their three open houses being held on April 27, April 28 and May 4, and be sure to sign up for their free lawn bowling lessons.

Those interested in joining the club can apply for a membership. There are three levels of membership (Full, Junior and Social) which include special perks, including access to the club’s events and free bowls supplied during your first year of being a member.

For more info on the club, contact them directly or visit their website and Facebook pages.