Bowles was ranked 73rd on the PDC Order of Merit after the 2016 World Championship, meaning he had to enter Q School to win his place back. He was successful at the first attempt and stated that he was looking to add more consistency to his game and hoped that the darts room he had built at his house would help him do this. He failed to qualify for the 2016 UK Open, but did make the German Darts Masters and saw off Fabian Herz 6–3 in the first round, before losing 6–4 to Adrian Lewis. Bowles' best run of the year was at the 8th Players Championship event where he ousted Devon Petersen, Alan Norris and Berry van Peer in advancing to the last 16. He was beaten 6–1 by Dave Chisnall.