INDEX | BOWLS | TESTING | USED | ACCESSORIES |  WETS |  TECH |  MISC |  CONTACT |

BOWLS

Announcing 3 new models for NZ greens that will allow you to fine-tune your game with the right bowl for your style of game
on the green type and speed you play on. For the first time Drakes Pride offer 3 new flatter finish models to compliment our turn finish models. Already winning tournaments with proven consistent track and turn-in, the most important aspect of outdoor play in NZ. If you play on Dales carpet, Greenguage, sand type astro, starweed or other grasses we have the right bowl.
If you bring in your new Drakes Pride set we will check it free within the first 5 years.  For full explanation on various bowl types, behaviour and playability pls see Tech page tech.html

                       New Model DIRECT    

Drakes Pride narrowest model on the NZ market and is designed for faster greens. It does take more green than some of the very narrow bowl models seen in the past few years and takes a little less green than the Corsair with controlled even arc finish. Highly suited to bowlers who play the narrower green style, they will like this new model.   Suited to greens 16--19 seconds.             

Available in size 3XH  4XH  5 in black. $550  size 3 4 5 in colour $640

[ Just won BOP champ singles ]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 New model:  CORSAIR

Newly designed bowl specifically for New Zealand with earlier break point and flatter entry into the jack than the Delta model. Based on the Professional model with a re-designed modified balanced arc sole shape to attain the flatter finish. Has an earlier break point than the Delta/Excel models and continues in quite a straight line before coming into the head. A model that combines the requirements of the competition player looking for an array of shots and especially the weighted shot that will hold its curve-line all the way into the head and succeed on a variety of NZ greens.  Suited to greens 16-19 seconds.

Available in sizes 2 3 4 5  black XH  $550  colour H  $620

[ Winning ladies tripples NZ Open ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Model: Drakes Pride DELTA

New model for NZ with same banana draw as the Excel,  with slightly flatter entry from the modified balanced arc sole and is ideal for those players wanting a modern version of the very popular Drakes Pride Special/Ultra. Has softer entry to the jack and goes a little narrower than the Ultra or Professional.  Is a very stable bowl in all conditions and is highly recommended for players of all abilities and will suit medium-fast speed greens where the fully balanced sole type bowls start to track a little wide. Ideal for Players wanting the universal playabilitly of the Special/Ultra model but want to take just a little less green and less turn at the jack. If your game is based around draw and run shots this model along with the Corsair is a perfect choice.  Suited to greens 15-18 seconds.

Available in black 1XH 2XH 3XH 4XH 5H  $550  colour 1H 2H 3H 4H 5H $620

[ Just won Thames Valley singles. ]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Drakes Pride EXCEL....run-out prices

Same as the Delta model but with our tradition finish at the head. Suited to greens 15-17 seconds.

Available in size 2XH 3XH 4XH black run-out price $450    2H 3H 4H 5H colour run-out price $520


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                                                   Drakes Pride PROFESSIONAL

Based on the best selling UK bowl, but specifically made for New Zealand greens. Often described as slight hockey-stick draw, tracks a little narrower down the green than the Ultra and is also a "balanced arc" self-correcting model. Very forgiving and has slim-to-hold profile. Has a great reputation on sand filled astro greens, and plays the weighted shot with ease. If you find you are continually changing the line to the jack....this model will also fix the problem. Best suited to greens upto 16.5 seconds.

available in black: 1XH  2XH  3XH  4XH  5H     colour: 1H  2H  3H  4H  5H  

                                                                                               black $550  colour $620
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
   
                                                                                          
                                                                                                   Drakes Pride ULTRA

We have redesigned the best selling Special model and made it slimmer to hold, and re-set bias to minimum. Banana type draw and an exceptional wind bowl made specifically for NZ greens and is not sold elsewhere. This model is the easiest bowl to use on the market. A very forgiving self-correcting bowl for those with slight delivery imperfections or playing in wind or on bumpy surfaces. Because of the "balanced arc" sole shape this model is the excellent for beginners to play and will also fix the constant changing of line down the green. Players moving from older wide draw sets will really appreciate the Ultra model.  Also a very good bowl on slow carpet greens i.e. Dales. Xtra denotes extra-heavy version. Suited to greens upto 16.5 seconds.

Available ex stock black: 0XH 1XH  2XH  3XH  4XH,  5H colours:  1H  2H  3H  4H  5H speckled blue, speckled maroon.  All other sizes/colours on specific order only.
                                                                                              Black $550   colour  $620

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      

COLOURS:  speckled blue, speckled maroon/red
speckled green,  multi coloured are our 4 stocked colours.

   


COACHING BOWLS  for Clubs

These are available in black, brown and colours, with WB stamp. Professional size 3XH black in stock. Please email us for special prices.

New law yellow jacks 65.8mm 410 gm $55

Bowlers Check List.

Factors that govern which model will play well for you.

Style of game, do you like the traditional draw game and like to "take a bit of green"?

Where do you play and on what surfaces?  Many NZ clubs have at least 1 sand-filled astro green.
Some bowl models will not play well on an this type of surface, but will play very well on high quality grass greens.

Do you play a lot of competition bowls? To cover all the green speeds and types it is necessary to have 2 sets. If you like
the narrow models then have a wider draw set for the surfaces of lesser quality or windy places. You may just want to stop
your good set being ruined by sand and have another set to play on occassions. We can renovate your older set at low cost.

Delivery skill is more important with the narrow running bowl models. Unintentional wobble at delivery does not affect the balanced sole 
type bowls very much but does affect the narrower running models. Consistency is basis of good bowling.

Point to remember is that bowl are only "reading" the green and acting accordingly. Sometimes a wider draw set will go very narrow especially on a heavy or wet green and a narrower running model can sometimes have a lot more turn at the finish than it would on a hard and fast green. You may also experience a much wider draw on the forehand than normal and almost no draw on the backhand. All this may change coming from the other direction.
Various playing surfaces can have your bowls doing something different to normal when they are heavy.

The new models Direct, Corsair and Delta are designed to give players the same range of shots on the faster greens that you get with the Professional
and Ultra on the medium and slower greens.