Measuring Which Bowl is Shot?

   First, while watch the World Bowls 2012 in Adelaide, Australia, (on line streaming),. I saw for the first time an official using of a Lawn Bowls Trammel Measuring.  All these different devices for Bowls measuring can be found on .lawnbowlsonline.com.au   I was surprise to see the officials use this device in the measure as I thought only a Bowls Tape was permitted. I now see  this tool, the Orbital Measuring Tool . (Each cost about $330 Au) and  even Telescopic Measure Tube.(below) for sale  in Australia.

 To those following this Bowls Blog,  I guess it is your Christmas time early. This blog  is the gift of a life time. But,like the MP3 I bought and never use because I still have not figured how to download free music .(really that is true); the gift is as good as you make it.  And if you get to know how to use with accurate results, it will allow you to measure  your bowls with an  unbelievable skill and allow decisions for that next bowl.
 In Rosemount, LBC , Montreal Quebec, during the semi finals of the Provincial Single Qualification , I was trailing 19-20 and the two bowls were said to be a measure by the marker.  The decision of next bowl (last bowl) was important.  If he had shot than game was over unless I attempted to remove Andy's bowl. If I drew for shot it would be only 20-20 score  and if i missed  the tap-back or removed mine own, Game over.
 Walking to the head, and with the use of the below mention  system of measuring, I saw that I had shot and only need a draw for 2nd shot and win the game. After the draw, the bowls in question were measured and it was close but my evaluation of shot was correct and I went on to the finals against Johnny, who won and represented Quebec in that years Nationals.

 " How do you measure two bowls when rules prevent you from using a measure before the end of the game ?"

Finger Measure  I know you have all  seen those crossed fingers at the chest as the skip walks around the head measuring the bowls. How accurate is this method?   Well first it is important to understand how  it work, and then I will explain  why  I believe my Center-to-jack system is better  for accurately knowing the shot before the bowls are measured after the last bowl..

     Using the spread fingers at the chest;l the Fingers must be placed at the inside of the first bowl to be measured and without moving the hands position on the chest moved to the next bowl and jack.It is important to learn to use a perspective vision of the bowls. Remember that your two eyes see the bowls differently.

 Placing the left (or right) finger on the inside of the bowl, then  check how the other finger appears to the jack. Now here is the trick to proper measure.. Use the left eye when checking the left finger and similarly for the right side.Yes it works quite well. At the end is a suggestion for the photo above from NZ photo collection.  It is a combination of the finger and the Center to jack measure explained here. Not having used this finger method of measurement I appreciate the readers comments like what is found  at the end of this blog, by Colin Griffin'  helpful and interesting. His comment states "I think the finger method needs the toes halfway between the bowl and jack and aligned with an imaginary line. The reason for this is to reduce the variables when you move to compareaa the next measure.")

Center to Jack measuring system    This measuring, which I will suggest here,  comes from the french Bowls game of Petanque. Because, in Petanque, you must play again if the last palyed ball does not capture shot, we can measure which bowl is shot when ever we want in the game. But imagine how long a game would be if we were  to always be measuring. As a Captain, you learn to be extremely  precise making the decision on which bowl is shot and if still in doubt, then  we kneel with tape and measure.
 Over the years of Petanque (every winter I still play) I have worked to develop confidence in this system of measure. YOU can  also with practice have confidence too.

First, let us start with basic math. Gemetery and the right-angle triangles says that when two triangles are placed with the common side together the opposite sides are of equal distance.  So if the Jack is at the center of the apex (as in the bottom part of the photo); the two bowls at each end are at equal distance from the jack. 
There is an important part of this photo.  This apex of the triangle and line of the 90 degrees, up from the base of the triangle, indicates equal when it runs through the exact center of the jack. (if there is the least difference off the center of the jack, then the bowl closest to the center side of the jack is shot.  (look at the below example photo of the foot below)

Secondly, To have this method work accurately it is necessary to find the exact middle between the two bowls. (not a guess but with confidence that left and right of the foot are the same distances. So Photo 1 below.. Find the Middle point between the two bowls.  If worked properly, the individual will be moving their foot left and then right developing an evaluation of the left and right bowl distance from the middle of the toe of the shoe. (I wear a black felt mark line on my white bowling shoe for this reason)

2017 Indoor S.Finals 

Once the middle point between the bowls is found.. move your heel left or right to point the toe line at exactly 90 degrees. It may seem difficult but forgot about the jack and think of the line between the two bowls and 90 degrees out from you. 
 I am going to mention a problem at this point because it is important.  In the sport of petanque the balls are completely round.  In bowls the bowls may not be round and the way the bowl sits may be against the Bias.  One must find the point on the bowls which represents the closest point to each other. (not toward the jack. Although u may like in photo 2 (below) find it necessary to use different parts of each bowl (because of the bias and how one is closer to the jack than another. (Update May 2017 to add photo of Claire Johnston of Scotland during the 2017 Indoor Mixed Pairs Semi-Finals checking which bowl is shot with foot. Umpire was called)

In the pictures below we see that the bowl on the right (measurer left) is closer because one notices that more of the jack is on that side of the 90 degree line.  I have learned that, in time and practice,  you can see which bowl is shot to within fraction of a jack (In the photo (3) the 90 degree line passes to the left of the centre of the jack, this is the difference in the measure. (1/4 jack width for the bowl on the right) . Remember, the closer the 90 degree line passes to the center of the jack the closer the measurement will be or the distance will be the same)
When the bowls are both on a straight line which passes near the jack, your evaluation will be easily. .However, the weakness of the method is when the bowls are farther apart and especially if they are on like a clock 1:50 hands  (opposite side of the jack ) When practicing this method for learning, use bowls that are sitting flat so you can see their positions.  In time u will also know which part of the standing bowl to use for the eye finding the mid-distance evaluation.

So to review.
  Three different steps are required to accurately use this method of  visual bowl measuring.
          1 - You must move your foot to the location which is half way  between the two bowls to be measured. Take the time to find this center point. of the bowl's centre. Maybe even cover the jack with your hand if seeing the jack is a distraction.
           2. -  You  then fine tune your evaluation , finding this  center point take time to refuse it and re-evaluate it again as you move your foot left and right until you are confident that you have the exact center.     
         This center point will show you which bowls side is nearest. Known as the Center Point (CP) between the two bowls. This is also the clostest point to the jack. (experience of mistakes here will eventually fine tune your judgement )
          3.  -  Having found the point, now look straight up (a 90 degree on that line between the bowls) toward the jack.  I myself use a small black marker spot on the toe of my bowling sneakers or a white spot on my black bowls shoes. to find the exact mid point when I am looking toward the jack..  If you get extremely good you can see the center line passing to the left or right of the center of the jack and have confidence in such a fine measure.

Practice this measure method in a non-game situration and use the above triangle of right angle triangles. (  take two right handed drawing squares (plastic) and tape the short sides together.  The number along the lower side will help you find the half way point.  This tool should be only used at the beginning to develop confidence in your foot placement in the middle between the two bowls.   Using this tool is only suggested to help you to know where to put your foot (mid-way) and verify  your method of fine tuning. (moving your foot left and right until you have the ability to find the center point and see the 90 degrees;

Update May 25 2017 Stats

I've added the stats (left) for this blog. After 5 years and over 20,000 views, this blog has been the most popular each week. (was written 11 March 2013) Updated with stats photo 2017

 1.After finding your midway point between the two bowls use the tool to verify how accurate you have found the midway point. Without looking at the jack or the point of the tool toward the jack. place the marked side of the square on the Closest point (CP) of each bowl. Your taped joint should arrive on your marked toe spot.
2.  After you have decided which bowl is closer,to verify how accurate your are, use the practice tool to check how the 90 degree line compares to your 90 degree to the jack. It is by using the practice tool that you will fine tune your ability.
3.  Measure the bowls to jack with a Bowls tape and find the closest bowl.

  Combined Finger/ Center of Jack Measure
  The center to Jack method described above  is rather difficult to use when the bowls are on opposite side of the jack, As you see (above) the  fingers are too close for a good finger measure; but a combination of the finger measuring and the center to jack method  is suggested now  using the above. NZ Bowls Photo.
 

One hand hides the jack while the other
hand (finger) finds cehter. Foot placed
so 90 deg passes along line.  Hand
to see how jack fairs to line.

 Using the above photo and bowls to be sighted here I have attempted to modify the photo to show how it is possible to have a combined sighting method (finger and center of the jack sighting).

 1 - Place one hand to hide the jack and then sight the centre of the two bowls with your finger without seeing the jack. (a small finger helps)
 2 - Placing your foot where the center passes between the two bowls (can even have your mate stand on opposite side of jack and be second position of 90 degree line.
  3 0 Now remove the hand which is hiding the jack and see how the center to jack passes through the jack...
 3  - You should be able to see how the 90 degree line passes to the left or right of the jack.
To the left of center mean the that the right side is closest to the jack. (largest half of the jack)
The idea of the center to jack method is to find the center of the two bowls and see how the 90 degree line  they pass through the jack.  But in the photo it is clear you can not put the foot half way between the two bowls to be sighted.  So do the next best thing.  Place it back away but find another method to find the half-way point.
Hope this suggestion helps with skip measuring, but to use the center to jack method requires fine tuning your ability to see center line. If you use finger measure all the time and then try this.. it may not work because you must fine tune your eye to center to jack line.
   Good luck , have fun.