Learn to Bowl
Learn to Bowl is an eight-week indoor bowls course for anyone interested in learning how to bowl, organised and run by Horsham District Sports Development in partnership with Horsham District Health and Wellbeing and Horsham District Indoor Bowls Club.
In your weekly two-hour session, you will have the opportunity to learn and play bowls which will provide you with some gentle exercise. Instructors will be on hand to help you and all equipment is provided. Halfway through there will be a break of about 30 minutes to have a tea or coffee, chat with the other participants and socialise with the instructors.
January 2026 course
- Wednesday 28th January to Wednesday 25th March 2026 (excluding Wednesday 18th February which is half term) at the Indoor Bowls Club at Broadbridge Heath
- Sessions will run 12-2pm
- £40 for the eight-week course
At the end of the course, information will be provided for anyone wishing to join the club to enable them to continue playing. In the first three courses that have taken place in 2024 and 2025, 80% of the participants have gone on to join the club with excellent feedback.
For more information and to book a place, click the button below.
Case study: Gary
Gary signed up for the learn to bowls course after seeing it promoted on his local community Facebook page.
Having retired a couple of years ago, and with time on his hands and an interest in sports, he thought it was the ideal opportunity to give bowls a try and meet new people.
He says: "A course well worth the money. If you have any interest in doing this, go for it! The coaching team are very friendly and encouraging.”
Outcome: Gary has since joined the club, plays regularly (often twice or more per week) and takes part in internal leagues.
Case study: Ian and Maggie
Ian and Maggie spotted an advert for the Learn to Bowl course and saw it as the perfect winter activity to complement their summer golf. Having
talked about bowls before, the ad gave them the push to finally try it.
They say: "What have you got to lose by signing up? Bowls are borrowed from the club so no outlay there. We bought bowling shoes early on, but you don't have to. If you do buy them and find the sport is not for you, they can still be used. Money not wasted. Meeting and interacting with other people and learning a new skill is a bonus"
Outcome: Bowling kept them active through the winter and helped them build strong social connections. Today, they’re still playing with the same group, taking part in in-house competitions, and even setting their sights on inter-club matches!
Case study: Martin
After retiring, Martin wanted something to keep him active and social so he joined Learn to Bowl.
He says: "I'd always dreamed of playing bowls, so when I heard about the course through Horsham Wellbeing, I knew it was my chance. From day one, everyone was so friendly, I didn’t feel nervous at all. I looked forward to every session because it was something I truly wanted to do. The coaches were supportive, and I quickly learned that with practice, you really do get better. Give it a go! Everyone starts somewhere and this course is the perfect way to begin."
Outcome: "My confidence has grown, and I’m enjoying every moment. I now play matches with fellow learners and even on my own I’ve joined competitions and achieved my goal of learning bowls!"