Our Etiquette

It is important that the conventional courtesies and standards of etiquette be observed on the Greens as well as in the club house:

  1. On tournament and club days, endeavour to arrive early enough to assist with preparation for play (scrims, scoreboards, mats, jacks etc).
  2. Visiting players are your guests for the day and you should provide good hospitality.
  3. To save time and speed up the game all players should have their next bowl in their hands by the time their opposing player has delivered.
  4. All players should remain stationary and quiet behind the mat and do nothing to affect the concentration of the player delivering.
  5. Do not walk up the rink right in the line of the player who has just delivered the last bowl to be played before changing ends. The player delivering the bowl should leave the mat quickly to avoid time wastage.
  6. All bowlers should participate in returning bowls promptly behind the mat after the end has been declared - particularly in a time limit game.
  7. Warn players on adjoining rinks that a drive is about to be played on your rink with the risk of disturbing bowls on their head. Try and stand to the side to ‘catch’ bowls flying out of your rink.
  8. Possession of the rink passes to your opponent once your bowl comes to rest or has become dead. At the changeover, skips and their ‘three’ who do not have possession of the rink should be careful not to hang around discussing the head. The opposing skip has the mat.
  9. It is unlawful as well as discourteous to encroach on adjoining rinks.
  10. It is a courtesy for the ’three‘ of the team who is playing first to place their skip’s bowl on the mat before joining the other players at change over.
  11. Some friendly banter with opposing players is OK and part of the game but make sure you keep things sporting at all times. If opposing players make it clear they like to play in silence, respect their wishes.
  12. Congratulate your opponents on their good bowls.
  13. Always strive to enjoy your game – even when you lose. It’s only a game!
  14. Never disturb the bowls or the head before an opponent has agreed the result.
  15. Team members should stay well behind the head and be discreet in any communication.
  16. Good skips encourage their teammates.
  17. Cell phones should not be used on the green.