At first glance, the crowd dressed in white gathered at the southwest corner of Eisenhower Park in East Meadow might look as if they’re playing bocce, the popular summer sport of backyard barbecues.

WHEN I ARRIVED at Jefferson Park Lawn Bowling Club on Beacon Hill, I was concerned to see there were gutters at the end of the square, low-cropped lawn that serves as the alleys for lawn bowling. I am ...