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Lawn Bowling Etiquette

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Etiquette is about the customs, rules, and behaviour both on the green, and around the club. These are the "the unwritten or conventional laws of courtesy between players."

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Some of the unwritten guidelines are:

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Be ready - always be on time for the start of play and for the start of each game. (15 MINUTES BEFORE BOWLING TIME)​​

  • Bowlers tend to start and end games with a handshake. 

  • Visitors are always made welcome. 

  • First names are used on the scoreboard, club names if playing a visiting team.

  •  On sunny days, be aware of your shadow. Do not let it fall in front of the mat when a player is about to bowl.

  •  Try to avoid obscuring boundary pegs, rink plates or rink markers.

  • When ready to bowl, check with next rinks to see if another player is ready to bowl, so that you don't bowl at the same time.

  • Make sure the path of the bowl is clear to avoid hitting another bowl in the adjacent rink.

  • Do not talk, or cause a distraction when another player is about to deliver a bowl. (This includes cell phones & pagers)

  • Do not criticize bowls - either from your own team or the other. Compliment good shots.

  • Admit flukes with grace.  Avoid the desire to verbally encourage bowls to give your team desired results.

  • Remain behind the mat or behind the head when it is not your turn.

  • Remember that your opponent has possession of the rink as soon as your bowl comes to rest; do not linger in the head or on the mat to allow your opposition to bowl. (Walk off mat forwards and turn to right)

  • Take an interest in the game; follow how the head is building up so you don't have to ask other team players.

  • Stand well back from the head when drive shots are being played and warn others on adjacent rinks of the fact.

  • Do not walk 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. Help clear the head after the result has been determined.

  • Walk quickly when changing ends, and walk within the confines of the rink on which you are playing. 

  • Learn the laws of the game and abide by them.

  • Show good spirit - be a gracious winner  and a good loser.

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