Bowls Club Etiquette

Rules

Rule 1 Enjoy yourself. Remember, we play the game for pleasure.

Rule 2 See Rule 1.

Rule 3 Familiarize yourself with, and observe, the ETIQUETTE of the game of Bowls. It will help you, your team members and opponents to enjoy the game. See Rule 1.

Rule 4 Quietly coach the less experienced player in the Etiquette of the game.

Loud criticism or ‘tutting’ does nothing for one's confidence or enjoyment. See Rule 1.

Rule 5 Dress Code:- Suitable attire and smooth soled footwear shall be worn at all times whilst on the Bowling Green.

Rule 6 ABOVE ALL, ENJOY THE GAME OF BOWLS FOR ITS PLEASURE AND THE FRIENDSHIP IT PROVIDES.

Bowls Club Etiquette

1. Be punctual to commence play at all matches, and come to each game correctly attired.

2. Always start and finish a game with a handshake.

3. Keep quiet, and refrain from moving when players are on the mat.

4. Stand BEHIND the mat while your opponent bowls.

5. ALWAYS STAND STILL AT THE HEAD when a player is about to bowl, movement at the head or TALKING at the mat end is very distracting.

6. Walk close to the centre of the rink with minimum delay when changing ends, so as not to distract play on the next rink.

7. DO NOT DELAY PLAY. Always play your bowl with minimum delay.

8. NEVER deliver your bowl before the previous bowl has come to rest.

9. Remember as soon as your bowl comes to rest, possession of the rink passes to your opposition.

10. Do not interrupt the players responsible for deciding who has won the end.

11. Be prepared to move away from rink markers. Some players use these as a guide to how much green to take.

10. KEEP TRACK OF PLAY. Be ready to play when it is your turn.

11. Every player should assist in collecting bowls when the head is completed.

12. Always pay your skip the respect of waiting for their decision. Do NOT step onto the mat and indicate which way YOU intend playing - wait for the skip’s instructions.

13. NEVER applaud lucky bowls - accept them graciously.

14. NEVER complain about lucky bowls - they equal each other out in the long run.

15. Respect the green at all times. DO NOT drop bowls onto the green.

17. If you lose, BE A GOOD LOSER.

18. Win or lose, ALWAYS shake hands with your opponent and thank them for the game.

Hospitality

When a team visits us for a game they are our guest for the afternoon and by association the player you play against is your guest.

At the end of the game and before we sit down to tea it is normal practice to offer to buy a drink from the bar for your guest. At the appropriate time he will reciprocate.

Should you find that you cannot stay for the traditional tea it is still good manners to apologise for not stopping but still offer to buy your opponent a drink.

This same arrangement applies when you are playing away and you are unable to stop for tea.

Mobile Phones

In consideration to your opponents, mobile phones should be switched off when playing or set to silent. This also applies to spectators.