The Romans introduced the game to Europe and in 1209 the Southampton Old Bowling Green Club was established in England. More recently, the sport has been and still is very popular in places around the World where the British have had an influence. Some places where lawn bowling is very popular today include the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, Australia. Here in the U.S.A., lawn bowling is especially popular in California, Arizona, Florida, New York, and New England.