Lawn bowls is one of the friendliest sports you can take up. Clubs across Glasgow and the rest of Scotland welcome new players every season, and most members are happy to show a beginner the ropes. Alongside the official rules of the game, though, there is a set of unwritten rules that experienced bowlers follow without thinking. Knowing them before you step onto the green will help you settle in quickly and make a good impression.
Look After the Green
The green is the heart of every club, and members put a lot of care into keeping it in good condition. Treat it with respect:
- Wear proper bowls shoes. Bowls shoes have smooth, flat soles with no heel, so they do not mark or damage the grass. Trainers with a heavy tread or shoes with heels are not suitable. Our range of lawn bowls shoes has options for men and women.
- Do not drop your bowls. Place them down gently rather than letting them thump onto the surface.
- Step onto the mat carefully. Avoid dragging your feet or twisting sharply on the grass.
- Keep food and drinks off the green. Enjoy them in the clubhouse or on the bank.
Stay Still and Quiet During Delivery
Bowls is a game of concentration. When another player is on the mat and about to deliver, the polite thing to do is:
- Stand still and stay quiet.
- Keep out of their line of sight.
- Wait behind the mat if you are next to bowl, or well behind the jack if you are at the other end.
- Avoid moving across the rink or chatting loudly until their bowl has come to rest.
The same applies to neighbouring rinks. Try not to walk across someone else’s rink, and if a bowl or jack from the next rink comes your way, stop it gently and return it once their end is finished.
Know Your Place on the Rink
In team games, each player has a role, and it helps to understand where you should be at each point in an end.
- When it is your turn, step onto the mat and deliver without too much delay.
- Once you have bowled, move off the mat promptly so the next player can take their place.
- In pairs, triples and fours, the skip directs play from the head. Listen to their instructions and follow their signals, even if you might have played it differently.
- Leave the measuring and decisions about the head to the players responsible for them. Do not move any bowls until the result of the end has been agreed.
Good Sportsmanship
Bowls has a strong tradition of sportsmanship, and it is one of the reasons people love the game.
- Shake hands with your opponents before and after the game.
- Acknowledge good shots, whether they are played by your team or the other side. A simple “good bowl” goes a long way.
- Be modest about lucky shots. Every bowler gets a fortunate rub now and then.
- Keep your temper. Everyone plays a bad end sometimes. Frustration does not help your next bowl.
- Be on time for matches and practice sessions, and let the organiser know early if you cannot make it.
Finally, every club has its own traditions. Some have a dress code for competitions, such as whites or club colours, while others are more relaxed for social games. There may be customs around buying a round after a match or helping to set up and put away equipment. The easiest way to find out is to ask. Members appreciate a newcomer who takes an interest, and asking questions is a great way to make friends at the club.
Get the etiquette right and you will find that the rest follows naturally. For more advice on improving your game, have a look at our bowling tips.