Etiquette Applies to the Green Too!

Of course, lawn bowling is a game of etiquette and there are little things that are more important in the game (other than winning of course!) than being courteous to the other players. But it’s also important that you always remain vigilant about the green and make sure that you treat it well.

Start by making sure that you always enter the green by the path provided. If there is no clearly defined path, walk around the sides until you reach your mat or green. Never cross rinks or other playing fields in an attempt to get to your own – even if no one else is playing on it. This will cause excessive wear on the green, which can result in inefficient play.

It’s also important to make sure that you never drop your bowl right onto the green. Doing this could scuff the green and damage your bowl. Also try to notice if you’re causing any damage to the green when you deliver your bowl. This can actually be a common problem, especially for novices, and should be corrected. Also, if there are banks around the green, never sit on them. When people do this, they also tend to hang their feet over the side of the green. This can cause damage to both the bank and the green.

The greens in lawn bowling are obviously very important, because these are the fields on which the lawn bowling will be played. It’s important to always treat them with respect and to never leave any garbage, cigarette butts, or spit on them. Not only are these very impolite things to do, but you can also be seriously fined by a club for doing any of them. Treat the greens right, and chances are that they’ll return the favour!

Some More Detailed Rules of Etiquette

Everyone knows the basic rules of lawn bowling. Each player must throw a bowl and try to get as close as possible to the jack. Yes, those are the basic rules. But there are even more detailed rules that not everyone might realize. We’ve laid them out for you here so that you can get a really good idea of what to do the next time you step out onto that green.

• When an opponent is on the mat, it’s most courteous to be as quiet as possible. Jeering, insults, and anything else that could be considered to be derogatory are definitely not permitted. But even talking and light conversation should be saved until after the opponent has finished his throw.
• Players at the head should always stand at least two feet behind the mat. Players too, should also stand at least two feet behind the mat. This isn’t just lawn bowling etiquette, it’s actually a rule.
• As players are traveling from the mat to the head, they should never interfere with another rink or its players.
• Running commentary while the bowl is traveling across the green is not only annoying, it’s also improper etiquette.
• At certain times during the game, an umpire might need to come out and measure the distance between the bowls. Should this happen, all players are to leave the head until the umpire has finished measuring. Once that is done, the umpire will make his ruling and this ruling is final.
• No game should be raked until both teams have agreed to how many bowls were conceded.

Adhering to the rules of etiquette is not only a polite thing to do but it also makes the game of lawn bowling much more fun. No one wants their opponents calling out to them and interfering with their play. Just as you want people respecting your play, they do too. And lawn bowling is so much more exciting when the game doesn’t need to always be stopped so that the rules of etiquette can be abided by.

Sportsmanship is Most Important in Bowls

Maybe it’s due to the long history and sophistication that’s attached to the game and maybe it’s just that lawn bowling is so much fun – either way, the important role that sportsmanship plays in lawn bowling cannot be overlooked. In each move that the players make, they must always keep in mind that they have an opponent who is to be commended and respected.

Much of the etiquette regarding the opponents in lawn bowling dictate small courtesies that most people would pay to others, even without an official rule book! Things such as greeting your opponent properly, not making rude comments, and congratulating them on nice moves, are all expected niceties in lawn bowling. However, some etiquette rules in  regards to opponents are a little less subtle. Here’s one of them!

It ’s a rule of etiquette in lawn bowling that, should you be playing an opponent on a particular day, that you do not practice on the green  at any time during that day. There are certain instances in which this rule is waived, such as if someone has a bye or a walkthrough pass, but even then, opponents are to be respected. Even if the opponent is also on the green, one should never try to get in the opponent’s way or cause their practice to be disrupted.

It’s always a good idea to read over the rules of etiquette in lawn bowling before entering any competition. This is especially true if you’re new to competitions and aren’t completely familiar with all the rules of etiquette in lawn bowling.

Etiquette of the Lead

In lawn bowling, there are of course different roles for each player on the team. However, these roles don’t just define what’s required from different players according to different rules but, these roles also have their own etiquette that’s expected, and this isn’t written down in the rule books. 

The first ‘rule of etiquette’ for the Lead happens while his opponent is laying down his mat. During this time, it’s a nice gesture for the Lead to take the jack and his opponent’s bowl and give them to him. The jack should be held in the left hand with the player’s bowl being held in the right hand. This simple act provides for a friendly competitive atmosphere and can make the game even more fun!

During a pairs match, the Lead measures and if his measurements are wrong, a penalty may be given to him. The penalty is usually in the form of another shot being awarded to the opposing team. It’s proper etiquette for other players in the match to not take advantage of this fact just to get their extra shot.

Respecting Your Opponent

Sportsmanship is generally a large part of any sport but when lawn bowling becomes something that’s much more than a hobby and you begin joining clubs and competing in tournaments, sportsmanship becomes a very large part of lawn bowling etiquette and knowing the small details of how opponents treat each other in lawn bowling is important to know. In general, you should remember that lawn bowling is a sport in which competitors highly respect each other and are friendly towards each other. It is a proper sport and there is no reason for trash talk or disrespecting your opponents. Be sure to congratulate your opponents when they throw a good bowl and be humble when they return the same favour to you. When a match has been called and should you find yourself running late, it is your responsibility to let the other player or players know when you will be arriving. Otherwise, they do have the right to force a forfeit in their favour. No player should ever leave the bowling area unless they have first obtained the permission of one or both Captains. Should it be necessary for you to leave the playing area, it should never be for more than 10 minutes as play will be stopped the entire time you are gone. Once a match has ended, it’s courtesy for the losing player to be the first to shake the winner’s hand and congratulate them.

Proper Attire for Lawn Bowling

Lawn bowling is considered to be a proper sport, especially when it’s played in competition and as such, there is a proper dress code that is required. Generally, if one remembers to wear all white or all cream, this will be appropriate but there are some specifics you may want to take into consideration.

Men and women both must wear white or cream slacks and a white or cream shirt. Shorts are permitted but if they are not an appropriate length, white or cream knee-socks must also be worn. Cardigans, jackets, and pullovers may be worn however, these too must also be white or cream-colored. Men can wear a hat if they so choose, as long as it’s white or cream in color and ladies are required to wear a white or cream-colored hat. Both men and women must wear white or cream-colored shoes with a rubber, non-skidding sole.

This dress code is generally only set in place during formal competition and of course, if you’re having a quick game in the yard with the kids or setting up the course during a family BBQ, feel free to play as you are!