The Country Club – Barefoot Bowls

• (02) 4442 9022
• 11 Paradise Beach Rd, Sanctuary Point NSW 2540, Australia
• thecountryclub.com.au/barefoot-bowls

The Activity Snapshot

Our rating: Barefoot bowls is a relaxed outdoor activity suitable for beginners, families, groups, and visitors interested in experiencing one of Australia’s longstanding club sports.

Introduction

Located in Sanctuary Point, a short drive from the accommodation hubs of Vincentia and Huskisson, The Country Club provides facilities for barefoot lawn bowls. The club’s manicured turf bowling greens are situated behind the main building, offering an organized environment and unobstructed views for this traditional recreational sport. Featuring a flat, highly accessible playing surface, the activity is suitable for beginners, families, and visiting groups. Visitors can expect a session to last between two and three hours. On-site parking is available for convenience; however, please note that dogs are not permitted on the club’s sporting facilities.

Deep Dive: Barefoot Bowls

The Rinks and Turf

The Country Club features multiple well-maintained natural grass bowling greens used for both social play and organised competitions throughout the year. The greens are carefully maintained to provide a smooth and consistent playing surface that allows bowls to roll predictably. 

The Delivery Mechanics

Each bowl is manufactured with a built-in bias that causes it to follow a gentle curved path rather than travelling in a perfectly straight line. Learning how that curve changes with speed and direction is one of the key skills in lawn bowls. Delivering a bowl involves selecting the correct line and speed so it follows its curved path toward the jack. Although the playing surface appears level, experienced players learn how variations in pace and green conditions can influence the bowl’s final position.

The Friction Point

As the bowling greens are exposed to the sun, visitors are encouraged to bring a hat, sunscreen, and water during warmer months. To protect the turf, players are required to wear flat-soled shoes or play barefoot. It is recommended to check the club’s specific footwear and dress guidelines before arriving, as items like high heels, heavy boots, or aggressively treaded running shoes are generally not permitted on the playing surface.

The Local Insider’s Edge

• Book ahead if visiting with a larger group, particularly during weekends and holiday periods.

• Arrive a little early if you are new to lawn bowls so staff can explain the basic rules.

• Bring a hat, sunscreen, and drinking water during warmer weather.

• Wear flat-soled shoes or play barefoot if permitted by the club to help protect the greens.

Stay with Experience Jervis Bay

Experience Jervis Bay provides various accommodation options near Sanctuary Point. Properties situated within a ten-minute drive of The Country Club allow easy access to both the bowling greens and the calm, shallow waters of the nearby basin.

• Families and Multigenerational Groups: The area offers accommodation suitable for a range of travellers, including larger homes for families and groups, as well as smaller apartments and cabins for couples or solo visitors.

• Active Travelers: Some holiday properties in the area include outdoor spaces and storage suitable for sporting or beach equipment, although available amenities vary between properties.

• Solo Travelers and Couples: Smaller coastal cabins set back from the road provide quiet retreats, often featuring private verandahs.

The “Perfect Pairing”

After stepping off the greens, drive five minutes down the road to the Sanctuary Point Butchery to pick up local provisions, including their highly regarded free-range grass-fed beef. Taking a thick-cut steak back to the barbeque on the deck of your holiday house pairs perfectly with the slow, deliberate pace of the afternoon’s barefoot bowling session.