Bowls Etiquette

Etiquette is about the customs and rules that govern social interaction within any specific environment. For bowlers it is about behaviour on the green and in and around the club.

A dictionary definition of etiquette is

“The unwritten or written or conventional laws of courtesy between players”

Some of the guidelines are:

Be ready – always be on time for start of each game and each end of play.
Bowlers start and finish a game with a hand shake.
Visitors are always made welcome.
When ready to bowl check the next rink, both ways, to see if another bowler is about to bowl, so you don’t both bowl at the same time to avoid bowl collisions.
First names are used on scoreboards along with club names if playing a visiting team.
Do not encroach by standing or walking on an adjoining rink.
Do not talk when another bowler is about to deliver his bowl.
Do not criticise bowls or bowlers either from your own or the other team.
Your opponent takes possession of the rink as soon as your bowl comes to rest.
Do not linger around the head (jack). All players should stand at least one metre back from the head while the skips bowl, with the exception of the player who is giving the skip directions.
Take an interest in the game at all times to follow how the head is building.
Do not wander around talking to bowlers participating in other games, allow them to concentrate on their own game.
Do not pass or walk in front of the player who was last to play – they have the right to see how their bowl progresses.
Walk quickly when changing ends and stay within the confines of you own green.
Help clear the head after the result is determined.
Show good spirit – win well and lose well.

MAT

The front of the mat must be up level with the coloured peg or past it. Stay on the mat until your bowl stops and when changing ends, stay behind the mat until the last player moves on. Always make sure you have one foot on or over the mat when delivering the bowl.

MEASURING

Take out any shot bowls that you are sure of and then when measuring go the closest opposition bowl and then measure every bowl inside it. The loser on the end removes the shot bowl or bowls and places them on a duster. In a team game, only the 2nd (triples) or 3rd (fours) should be on the head – everyone else should be on the bank.

PLACING THE JACK (KITTY)

The jack must be up 23 metres from the front of the mat. If the jack goes out after 2 deliveries it is placed on the 2 metre mark. If the green is marked the jack is placed on the ditch side of the cross line. If the jack goes in the ditch mark the bowl and leave the jack and the marked (live) bowl in the ditch as long as it is inside the 2 white pegs.

GIVING THE MAT AWAY

Only on the first end if you win the toss, or if an extra end has to be played and you toss again.

LIVE BOWLS

If a bowl touches the jack it is called a “live” bowl. If it gets knocked into the ditch it is still a live bowl as long as it is inside the two white pegs.