But no longer present are the strict dress codes and regulations that came with the sport years ago - these days bowlers wear what they want and roll onto the green barefoot with a beer in hand.

The popular Australian pastime of barefoot bowling has taken the younger generation by storm.

"It's huge, it's not only at this club but Australia wide," Turner RUC manager Jeremy Wilcox said.

"Bowls Australia did a LaTrobe University report into participation and, while bowls membership is diminishing, the overall participation has gone through the roof."

Public servant Kate Fehon and her friends have a long tradition of barefoot bowling at end-of-year drinks.

"It's a relaxed environment just to spend time with people. You can have a drink, you've got your shoes off so you're feeling pretty relaxed and you can easily mingle," she said, barefoot at Yowani Country Club.

It was also a fun opportunity for some friendly competition among colleagues, she said.

And the summer months are when the bowling green population swells.

"We have 4000 people booked in for December alone," Mr Wilcox said.

"It's so popular because it's a social participation sport where you don't need any experience because you're taught on the spot and anyone can do it."

The game has also become popular for bucks' and hens' parties.

"We get heaps," he said. "They go on through the year. For those groups it's a place to start. They come here to warm up and head out afterwards."

When lawn bowls was first introduced to Australians it was generally a game reserved for the more upper class of society but these days the door is wide open for people of all ages and backgrounds to take part in the sport.

"We chose Barefoot Bowls because it's a fun outdoor activity that's enjoyable for all fitness levels and ages," Ben Williams, whose bucks' night was atTurner RUC, said.

"We'd been there many times before and always enjoyed it. I'd recommend that everyone gives it a try at least once."