Basic Bowls Etiquette
By tradition, the practicing of good sportsmanship and observing protocol while playing bowls at any of its various competitive levels has been a major characteristic of this game. It facilitates equal enjoyment of the game by all. By learning and observing the basic etiquette and protocol associated with the game, you can get into a game anywhere in the world and feel comfortable knowing that you are all playing by the same rules.
Sportsmanship
- Start and finish every game with a friendly handshake (or elbow rub, or fist punch, especially in flu season).
- Commend all good shots of teammates and opponents alike.
- Admit a fluke when you get one (and you will get many).
- Be a gracious winner as well as a gracious loser.
- Never distract your opponent by noise, movement or shadow while he/she is on the mat. Keep behind the person on the mat.
- After delivering your bowl, step forward and to the left of the mat so that you don’t step into the bowls. When you rake, leave the bowls 2 - 6 feet behind the right corner of the mat—out of view of the person on the mat but still on your rink.
- After delivering your bowl, do not stray onto the adjacent rink or walk part way up your own rink to observe the bowl’s progress watching it come to rest before you return to the mat area.
- If you run up the green after your bowl, try not to obscure the bowl’s path or its entry into the head from your opponent coming onto the mat. REMEMBER, if you run after your bowl, you must reach the head BEFORE your bowl comes to rest and retire behind the head immediately. In formal competitions failure to do so could constitute a mat violation, punishable by loss of your bowl.
- Once your bowl has come to rest, “the mat” belongs to your opponent and you can no longer communicate with your team members at the head. Wait until you have “the mat” again.
- Refrain from running a commentary on every bowl and from continuous chat.
- Don’t criticize the playing surface either at home or while a guest at another club.
- Stay “in the game.” Be ready to bowl, bowl in hand, when it is your turn.
- Follow the directions of your skip when playing your bowl.
- Be alert for bowls entering your head from another rink and be ready to advise if a bowl is in or out of bounds by standing on the boundary marker at the “long end.”
- When changing ends, walk quickly and retire to a position behind the head and at least six feet behind the jack unless you are directing the head. Remember, friendly sporting acts toward teammates and opponents will be appreciated and reciprocated.
Respect
- Respect the dress code in effect at your club and any club you visit.
- Be on time for scheduled events.
- Respect the green by developing a smooth delivery. Avoid tearing up the grass and carrying stones onto the green by wearing smooth flat-soled shoes, no more than ¼″ ridges.
- Help to set up and remove equipment used for playing the game.
- Most clubs are run by volunteers. Cooperate with your club executives and do your part to assist.
From a club handout shared by Tony Newton; original author unknown.