BOWLERS GUIDE & ETIQUETTE
Dress appropriately and ensure that you know the dress code for each match you are taking part in (see dress code). Do not arrive in your bowls shoes, please change in the changing rooms not outside, unless playing on the artificial green.
Make sure you know the starting time of the game and arrive in sufficient time.
Bowls should not be dropped on the green. Move bowls bags away from paved area to avoid trip hazards.
Shake hands with your opponent at the start and the end of the game. If playing in a match your skip will introduce all the players.
Do not sit on or stand on the edges of the green, this can cause damage to the edge of the green.
During the game do not move around the head when a player is about to bowl, stand still and quiet at least one metre behind the head. If at the bowler’s end stand at least one metre behind the mat so you are not in the bowler’s line of vision.
Do not stand behind the jack or obscure the rink boundary markers because some bowlers see them when bowling. On sunny days make sure your shadow does not fall on the jack.
After you have bowled remain on the mat until the bowl has come to rest. The mat is only yours while the bowl is in motion. When it stops retire behind the mat ready to allow your opponent to start bowling. Do not ask questions until it is your turn to bowl.
After changing ends stand well back behind the head, keep quiet and do not move or do anything to distract the bowler. Wait until the bowl has been delivered before moving.
If you lose a game remember to congratulate your opponent.
Never be heard to criticise the green or your opponent.
Acknowledge a “fluke” and comment on an opponent’s good bowl.
Do not clap a team mate’s fluke.
Bowling is a friendly game and all players should show courtesy and good sportsmanship.
Mobile phones should not be used in the green unless waiting for an emergency call. Smoking or Vaping is only permitted in the designated area.
It is usual for the home team or the winner in a club competition to buy their opposite number a drink at the end of the game. If you have been bought a drink always offer to buy your opposition one in return. Don’t forget to buy the marker a drink in a game of singles.
Responsibilities of each position you may play
The Lead has the job to put the mat down and deliver the jack. If the end is lost it is up to the lead to push the bowls back although all team members can help.
No 2 in triples or No3 in rinks may be required to measure any disputed shots once all bowls have been delivered. They will need chalk (to mark a toucher), a measure and wedges. It is useful to have a cloth to place winning bowls on. Other players must stay out of the head whilst counting is being done. This player will also give directions to the skip. If an umpire has been called stand well clear until a decision has been made.
The Skip is in charge of their team and rink. They will centre the jack, and give instructions to their players. The skip usually keeps the scorecard and compares it occasionally with the opposition skip.
A Beginners Guide to Lawn Bowls
1. A coin is tossed to decide which team bowls first.
2. The first bowler places the mat. The mat must be at least 2 metres from the ditch and placed centrally.
3. The jack is delivered, must travel at least 23 metres and stay out of the ditch.
4. Once the jack has come to rest the skip places it in the centre of the rink. If the jack does not travel 23m or goes in the ditch. the opposition have the jack and are entitled to move the mat.. If this happens on 2 consecutive occasions on the same end the jack is placed 2m from the ditch and the original lead can move the mat to anywhere on the rink centrally up to the 23m marker.
5. Teams alternate taking shots, Leads, then 2’s, then 3’s. The teams then change ends with the skip and they also alternate taking shots.
6. When playing any shot, the player bowling must always have one foot on or over the mat.
7. Any bowls that are in play can be moved by another shot and they stay active where they finish. This includes the jack.
8. Any bowl that finishes in the ditch is considered out of play and removed from the rink unless it has touched the jack. Any bowl that touches the jack remains live and is marked with the chalk.
9. When all players have finished their shots, the end is scored.
10. The winning side gets one point for each wood that is closer to the jack than their opponents nearest wood.
11. The winning team will go first and have the mat on the next end. This will be played in the opposite direction.
