Bowling Etiquette (or Good Manners)
Check List
1 Dress correctly for all games and arrive in good
time.
2 When a game, be it a roll-up or match, is due to
start at a certain time be on the green and ready to play at that time.
3 Greet your own team members and opponents at the
start of the game and congratulate or compliment them at the end of play. Shaking
hands before a match and at its conclusion is part
of the fine tradition of the game.
4 Compliment your opponent on a good shot, don't wave
opponents bowls thru the head.
5 Admit a fluke with grace.
6 Stand still when a player is on the mat.
7 Do not talk or make a noise behind the mat when a
player is preparing to bowl.
8 Remain behind the mat or head when it is not your
turn to play. Always remember, that as
soon as your bowl has come to rest, possession of the rink passes to your
opponent.
9 If you are skipping do not impede the other skip’s
view.
10 Keep to your own rink. Do not become a wanderer and distract other
bowlers.
11 Walk down the centre of your rink when changing
ends and avoid walking through the head.
12 On sunny days be aware of your shadow. Do not let it mask the jack nor permit it to
fall in front of the mat when a player is about to bowl.
13 Try to avoid obscuring boundary pegs, rink plates
or rink markers.
14 Never criticise your opponent, greens or your own
team members: If you cannot say anything positive don’t say anything at all.
15 Compliment your opponent on a good shot.
16 Pay attention to the game. Nothing can be more frustrating to your
team-mates than to have them feel that you are not giving your full attention
and best efforts to the game by your lack of concentration. Save your socialising until after the game.
Be ready to bowl when it's your turn.
17 Encourage and praise the
rest of your team, including the skip, but don't applaud an outrageously lucky
shot.. Bowls is a team game; everyone
should be working together
18 Always appear to be enjoying the game.
19 Stand well back from the head when drive shots are
being played and warn others on adjacent rinks of the fact, one person, could
be Marker or no.3 stays on the green, stands well to one side just behind the
level of the jack. As the bowl travels up the rink, they walk towards the bowler,
turn round and watch the delivered bowl to see if it is a toucher.
20 Once the score has been
agreed, everyone should help to clear
bowls. 2's alter scoreboard after bowls
have been kicked or pushed back by losing lead (if pushers are allowed). Losing lead can also
put out bowl for winning lead. if
they are happy for you to do it.
21 Pick up mat for your opponent after the
last bowl has been delivered.
22 Be a gracious winner and a good loser.
23 Learn the Laws of the Game and abide by them.
Revised July 2019