Newmarket Avenue Bowls Club
Bowls Etiquette
On The Green
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Be quiet and still when someone is delivering a bowl.
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Stand well back from the mat and head; stay out of the bowler’s line of sight.
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Do not distract the player (no talking, moving, or phone use).
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Step carefully to avoid damaging the green—no running or sharp turns.
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Avoid dropping bowls; place them gently on the green.
At The Mat
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Arrive for matches in plenty of time, correctly dressed in Club colours.
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Shake hands with the other players and introduce yourself before the game starts.
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Concentrate and be ready to bowl when it is your turn. You should have your bowl in your hand ready to step onto the mat as soon as the last bowl has come to a stop.
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Stay at least one metre behind the mat when it is not your turn to play. Always stand still when a player is about to bowl. Do not distract the bowler.
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Never deliver your bowl before the previous bowl has come to rest.
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Always pay your skip the respect of waiting for his decision. Do not step on the mat and indicate which way you intend playing – wait for the skip’s instructions.
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If you are planning to put down a weighted or firing bowl, first indicate your intention to those at the head and the adjacent rink.
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If you follow your bowl up the rink, remember, you must be back behind the mat or past the jack before your bowl comes to rest.
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When your bowl comes to rest, possession of the rink passes to your opponent.
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All players at the mat should assist in collecting the bowls on completion of an end (e g the lead is responsible for removal,), but the other players must help by moving the bowls towards the bowls gatherer. For safety, they should be moved into a group of at least one metre behind and to the side of the mat – not directly behind the mat.
At the head (cluster of bowls)
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Do not obscure boundary markers or rink numbers as many players use them legitimately in their bowls delivery.
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Keep still whilst players are on the mat.
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Compliment your opponent’s good shots. If your opponents have bad luck and give away the shot, keep quiet.
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Never applaud your team’s “lucky” shots – apologies to your opponents and accept your luck graciously.
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Stand well back from the head (at least one meter) when shots are being played.
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You must stay out of the head when your opponents have possession of the rink. Remember that occurs as soon as your team’s last bowl stops. If you are not measuring, move away from the head and don’t distract or interfere with those that are making the decision.
Playing the game
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The skip is in charge at the head; follow their instructions.
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Deliver bowls in turn and be ready when it’s your go.
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Keep to the pace of play—don’t delay the game unnecessarily.
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Shake hands (or acknowledge) opponents before and after the match.
Equipment & Conduct
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Wear flat, smooth-soled shoes suitable for bowling greens.
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Mark touchers clearly and remove dead bowls promptly.
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Respect the umpire’s decisions without argument.
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Good sportsmanship is expected—be gracious in both victory and defeat.
GeneralCourtesy
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Help retrieve bowls at the end when appropriate.
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Switch off or silence phones during play.
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Thank the opposition and your teammates after the game.
@ 2023 Newmarket Avenue Bowls Club - Wix
