For Orders and General queries contact our Sales Office

By Telephone, 01359 250829

By Fax, 01359 250829,

By E Mail, obutukcom@aol.com

By Post,  OBUTUK.COM Up Street, Bardwell, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31  1AA

Just send a cheque or Postal order for the required amount made payable to Pen-Y-Coed Petanque to the above address. We can also take payment by Credit cards etc.

If you would like to visit our showroom we are in the Suffolk village of Bardwell. Take any turning from the A143, Bury St Edmunds to Diss road, sign posted to Bardwell. We are just past the village green opposite the Dun Cow Public House.

Opening Times are, 8.30 to 5.30 Mon, Tue, Thurs and Fri. 8.30 to 12.00 Wed and Sat, all other times by appointment

• Home
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• Our full range of Competition Boule
  From the popular Match Boule to the ATX, choice of champions

• Pétanque Accessories
   Measures, Jacks, Boule boxes, Bags, Nets, Leather bags and a host of other equipment

• Our full range of Leisure Boule
    Sets of three to sets of six in cases and boxes of eight

• Clothing and Hats Rucksacks
    Waterproofs, Body warmers and Caps

OBUTUK.COM are specialized in helping Pétanque players everywhere. All our staff play the game and are able to help and advise on the choice of boule that is right for you. Like any other sport you need the best equipment to play your best and as the UK stockist of boule from La Boule Obut, we have the expertise to supply the top quality boule. We hold large stocks of boule but as our range is so extensive and you want the right size boule for you we sometimes have to ask you to wait 2 - 3 weeks for your choice.

If you would like any assistance with your Pétanque please do not hesitate to contact us

What is the difference between Competition Boule and Leisure Boule
It does appear at first glance that all boules are the same, this in fact is not the case. Competition Boule vary in diameter, weight, hardness and pattern or stripes, all within the limitations set out in the Fédération Internationale de Pétanque et Jeu Provençal (F.I.P.J.P.) rules. It must be noted that all boule conforming to the FIPJP rules should have the name of the manufacturer, the type or mark of boule, the weight in grams and a serial number. The player may have his / her name or initials engraved on the boule but this is carried out at the manufacturing stage so as not to alter the balance of the boule in any way.   Competition Boule

The permissible diameters are from 70.5 mm to 80 mm and the weight must be between 650 grams and 800 grams. Even the Hardness of the boule is governed but they are generally  classified as Hard or Soft.

Leisure Boule are generally 74 mm dia and are lighter in weight at approx. 660 grms. They are usually guaranteed for a year but there are some very dodgy leisure boule about that need extreme caution if buying. The safest option is to buy from a boule manufacturer who also makes competition boule. Leisure Boule

How did Pétanque start
Boule is a generic term covering many ball and jack games i.e. Boccia, Pétanque, Boule Lyonnasie and Jeu Provencal all from the European continent. Boule Lyonnaise is a game similar to Lawn Bowls, played over long distances and a run up is required to launch a metal boule up to 17 metres. Just take a moment here to imagine an English lawn bowl thrown through the air to remove an opponents bowl hitting the bowl without hitting the ground first. Some shot!  The athleticism required to play this game makes it a sport for the dedicated sportsman. However the sport of Boule Lyonnaise is the direct relation to Pétanque. A master of the sport of Lyonnaise suffered from arthritis in his latter years and found the running and throwing difficult to maintain with accuracy. In 1910 he devised a game where you stood with your feet together in a circle. With no run up allowed the game was played between six and ten metres from the circle. The game caught on very quickly and the game of Pétanque was born. One of the few sports played at World championship level that was created by a disadvantaged person. With this beginning the sport is indeed suitable for all.

Are every countries rules the same
The British rules are a direct translation of the Federation Internationale de Petanque et Jeu Provencal dated 1995. I have always assumed all other countries playing Pétanque are playing to the same rules. I have glanced at the USA rules and they seem to confirm this. I understand however the interpretation of the rules may differ from country to country and so differences may occur.
 

For answers to any other questions you may have please email us at
obutukcom@aol.com

• Home
  Back to front page

• Our full range of Competition Boule
  From the popular Match Boule to the ATX, choice of champions

• Pétanque Accessories
   Measures, Jacks, Boule boxes, Bags, Nets, Leather bags and a host of other equipment

• Our full range of Leisure Boule
    Sets of three to sets of six in cases and boxes of eight

• Clothing and Hats Rucksacks
    Waterproofs, Body warmers and Caps