The humble leisure boule. The starting boule for so many players

The humble leisure boule. The starting petanque boule for so many players

The most popular boule for the beginner is the leisure boule or dogs. Mass produced and silly cheap these boule are generally the first boule you will touch. Initially the French stamped Dog on the boule to show it was not a competition standard. Hence the term Dogs used when describing leisure boule, who knew? As the game become more popular the Chinese started to make sets. The green bag with orange embroidery is a clue they are from China. Bags are good, boule are, well rubbish. They play very well, weigh around 720 grms and measure 73mm diameter. Suitable for most adult players. The weigh more than the French version for one specific reason. They are full of sand or gravel. This is to give them a weight that is good to play with. The French version is hollow as are competition boule. The weight is in the steel surround. The Chinese version is thin metal with a heavy sand core. Shown in the jar next to the opened boule. That’s not the only problem. The metal is thin and thus dents when used in play. The dents in the sub steel cause the chrome plating to lift from the base metal and then peel off in dangerous razor sharp shards of chrome. If you have a moment search Chrome health and safety sheets and you will never play with these again. I use them as targets or obstacles in coaching. That is where there use ends. Hope this has been of assistance.