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.