Eastbourne Bowling Club - Bowling Etiquete

Bowling Etiquette   ( i.e. Good Manners)

Bowls remains one of the few sports where common courtesy and etiquette is still prevalent.
We should be proud of this and in order to make the game as enjoyable as possible, bowling green etiquette should be promoted to members old and new.
Much of this is common sense but here are some of the main rules of etiquette.

Dress appropriately and ensure that you know the dress code for each game or match in which you are participating.

Do not show disrespect for your opponent(s) by arriving late, ensure that you leave sufficient time to change before the game.

Do not walk across rinks that other people are using and do not stand or sit on the banks while waiting to play.

Introduce yourself and shake hands with your opponent(s) both before play commences and after the game is complete.  

During the game do not move around the head when your opponent is about to deliver his/her bowl.

Stand well back from the head, keep quiet and do not do anything that would distract your opponent.

Wait until the bowl has been delivered before moving.  If you are at the same end as the player delivering a bowl you must stand behind the mat thus staying out of the player’s line of vision.

Here is what the Laws of the Sport of Bowls say about this. Players at the mat-end of the rink who are not delivering a bowl should stand at least 1 metre behind the mat.  

Bear in mind that some people like to see the rink boundary markers and the centre pin while playing so make sure that you are not obscuring them.

On sunny days you must also ensure that your shadow does not fall on the jack.

Spectators who are in the player’s line of vision should also keep still while bowls are being delivered and they should not distract payers on the green.

Don’t drop your bowls onto the green and ensure that your delivery is not causing scuff marks or otherwise damaging the green.

Observe the rules for possession of the rink!

Here are the Laws of the Sport of Bowls rules on this.
Possession of the rink will belong to the player or team whose bowl is being played.
As soon as each bowl comes to rest, possession of the rink will transfer to the opposing player or team
after allowing time for marking a toucher as soon as it comes to rest.
After you have delivered a bowl and before it has come to rest you have two options.  
If you want to track your bowl’s progress you must be behind the head as it stops.  
In other words you must beat it to the head.  
If you don’t go to the head you must be behind the mat as your bowl stops.

After the Game you should once again shake hands with your opponent(s) and congratulate/ commiserate with them appropriately.  

It is also customary to offer to buy them a drink if you have won the game.

Where a marker has been involved in a singles game you should also offer him a drink.

Knowledge of the above will make you a more respected bowler, keep things friendly and contribute towards the enjoyment of the game for everyone involved, both on and off the green.


Thanks to Bookham Bowling Club for this information