It is a game of skill in which players often try to dislodge their opponents to secure prime position.
But an attempt to force a village bowls club from its green to make way for a new housing development has been met with strong resistance from members and led to a schism in the club.
Shipdham Bowls Club has been playing on an immaculate lawn overlooked by a pristine pavilion on Fieldfare Loke since the 1990s.
It has offered to create a new green for the club at another site half a mile away, at Bullock Park.
The club itself is split by the plans with some, including the chairman, supporting them. But other players disagree, believing the proposals threaten its future.
Why don't they like the plans?
Crucially, under the plans, the bowls club will no longer have its own pavilion overlooking the green.
Instead they will have to use a facility - which they will have to share with other groups, like the village football team - on the other side of Bullock Park, about 100 metres from the lawn.
Members say the new arrangement will threaten the famously sociable activity, because it will sever the connection between the sport itself and the comfort, relaxation and refreshments provided by a clubhouse.
It will also mean a long walk for those carrying heavy bowls, or woods.
Mark Wythe, a club member, said the new plans would lead to a dramatic "loss of camaraderie".
"We've got our hut right next to the green," he said. "If anyone needs anything, they can just get it. But the new plans would be a loss of the camaraderie we've worked to create."
Members are also concerned that the new lawn would be near the car park, meaning many players will head straight off after a game, rather than go to the pavilion for tea and coffee.
They also fear that having to share a site with other clubs will restrict its activities.
Club members were first consulted about the plans in 2022.
However, they believe the current proposals do not match what was discussed back then.
Sue Allen, club secretary, said: "At a meeting two years ago, we were told the plans in principle and that the new facility would be like-for-like.
"But that is not the case. I'm not against the move itself. But it must not be done at the expense of the club.
"We have looked after our grounds for years. It now feels like they are pulling the rug from under us.
Jo Thwaite, team captain, said: "We've invested so much into this green - blood, sweat and tears."
Bowlers for change
The critics - who include members of the club committee - are at odds with their own chairman, Trevor Rudling.
He supports the relocation plans as they stand.
"In 2022 we were included in meetings outlining the proposals and these were discussed at some length with the club's AGM," he said.
"It was agreed in principle that the club supported the move, but further clarification and input would be required as a proposal developed.
"The parish Council has allocated £120,000 to the building of the new green at Bullock Park.
"This would include pop-up irrigation alongside better facilities than we currently have."
Tensions between the two sides will be on display at the club's AGM today, at which the plans - and the split - will be discussed.
Wider revamp
Proposals to move the bowls club are part of wider council scheme to improve Bullock Park and create more facilities there.
The authority wants to extend the current pavilion with larger meeting rooms, an indoor sports area, a kitchen and new changing rooms.
At the same time, the parish council wants to develop the current bowls green, which is next to Thomas Bullock Academy.
It lodged plans with Breckland Council to improve Bullock Park and, separately, to build three houses and three bungalows at Fieldfare Loke.
First 'end' to the players?
The parish council appears to have blinked first in its stand-off with the critics.
It withdrew both applications earlier this week so further work can be carried out on the plans' details.
A public drop-in session to find out more about the proposals will be held at Bullock Park pavilion on Wednesday, September 25 between 5 and 7pm.
But the council remains determined to press ahead with the broader schemes.
Samantha Shelley, chairman of the parish council said: "Since 2015, villagers in Shipdham have been in favour of improving the sports and leisure facilities at Bullock Park and this has been a project waiting for the right time and team to bring it to fruition.
"To the best of the parish council's knowledge, when this project commenced two years ago, it was with the support of the Shipdham Bowls Club committee and members and we have commenced with this project based on the approval of the club, the parish council and Bullock Park management committee.
"We have withdrawn the plans for the homes on the bowls green and the new bowls green for further work to be carried out.
"Both plans will be resubmitted once the additional work is completed," she added.
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