05/06/2026
LETHAM BOWLING CLUB
Many older players will say that twenty or thirty years ago much more attention was paid to bowling green etiquette. This is true but fortunately lawn bowls remains one of the few sports where common courtesy and etiquette is still prevalent. We should be proud of this and in order to make the game as enjoyable as possible bowling green etiquette should be promoted to members old and new. Much of this is common sense but here are some of the main rules of etiquette.
Dress appropriately and ensure that you know the dress code for each game or match in which you are participating. Do not show disrespect for your opponent(s) by arriving late, ensure that you leave sufficient time to change before the game. If you are representing the club on another bowling green you should remember that you are an ambassador for Letham Bowling Club so please behave appropriately.
Starting the Game
Please use rinks in order dictated by the board in the locker room window, reading from left to right and remember to rotate the numbers. Enter and leave the bowling green by the steps/ramp provided. Do not walk across rinks that other people are using and do not stand or sit on the banks while waiting to play. Note that it is not the banks that are the main problem. We have artificial banks that will withstand some abuse but people sitting on the banks tend to place their feet on the edge of the green causing serious damage.
Introduce yourself if necessary and shake hands with your opponent(s) both before play commences and after the game is complete. Toss a coin to begin the game – the right call means you can deliver the jack or make your opponent play first.
During the Game
During the game do not move around the head when your opponent is about to deliver their bowl. Stand well back from the head, keep quiet and do not do anything that would distract your opponent. Wait until the bowl has been delivered before moving.
If you are at the same end as the player delivering a bowl you must stand behind the mat, thus staying out of the player's line of vision. Here is what the Bowls Scotland rule says about this. "Players of each team not in the act of playing or controlling play shall stand behind the Jack and away from the head or 1m behind the mat."
Bear in mind that some people like to see the rink boundary markers and the centre pin while playing so make sure that you are not obscuring them. On sunny days you must also ensure that your shadow does not fall on the jack.
Spectators who are in the player's line of vision should also keep still while bowls are being delivered and they should not distract players on the green. For example if you need to arrange a tie with another member don't try to do this while they are playing someone else!
At Letham we are privileged to have one of the best bowling greens in the area. Look after it! Don't drop your bowls onto the green and ensure that your delivery is not causing scuff marks or otherwise damaging the green. Place litter and cigarette ends in the bins and ashtrays provided for this and do not spit on the green.
Observe the rules for possession of the rink on the Bowling Green!
Here is the SBA ruling on this:
"Possession of the rink shall belong to the player/team whose bowl is being played. The player/s in possession of the rink for the time being shall not be interfered with, annoyed, or have their attention distracted in any way by their opponents.
As soon as each bowl shall have come to rest, possession of the rink shall be transferred to the other player/team, time being allowed for marking a 'toucher'."
After you have delivered a bowl and before it has come to rest you have two options. If you want to track your bowl's progress you must be behind the head as it stops. In other words you must beat it to the head. If you don't go to the head you must be behind the mat as your bowl stops. This ruling is quite clear but unfortunately many players, including many of those who should know better, show disrespect for their opponents by failing to observe it.
How many times have you been on the mat, ready to play your bowl, when you have had to wait for your opponent to complete his stroll up the green or back to the mat? If your opponent is guilty of this you should ask him to stop. Remember that it's them that are in the wrong.
The SBA website is a bit more succinct than I have been. Here's what it says about etiquette.
Bowling Green Etiquette Hints for Beginners
1. Players should use the steps/ramp provided when going on or off the bowling green.
2. Bowls should not be dropped on the green.
3. Do not stand on the bankings.
4. Matches, cigarette ends, etc. should be placed in the litter-baskets and not in the ditches.
5. Bowls should not be kicked in until the shot has been decided.
6. After delivering a bowl, a player should either retire behind the mat or advance to the head. They should not take up a position in between.
7. Don't delay the game.
8. Don't wander around or move about the head when a player is about to deliver a bowl.
9. In a Fours game, the 'second' keeps the score; in a Pairs game the 'skip' keeps the score.
10. Bowling is a friendly game and all players should show courtesy and good sportsmanship.
11. Mobile phones should not be used on or around the green.
After the game you should once again shake hands with your opponent(s) and congratulate/commiserate with them appropriately.
It is also customary to offer to buy them a drink if you have won the game. Where a marker has been involved in a singles game you should also offer them a drink.
Knowledge of the above will earn you respect as a bowler. So keep things friendly and contribute towards the enjoyment of the game for everyone involved, both on and off the green.
The Players' Roles in Team Games on the Bowling Green
In all team games it is the skip's job to direct the play. Other players should play the shot directed by the skip even if they don't agree with it. In Fours games the 'third' should direct the skip when required to do so. In Triples or Pairs the Second or Lead may do this. Other players should not interfere unless invited to do so.
Here is what rule 51 in the Bowls Scotland rule book says about players' roles.
"51(a)The Skip
The Skip shall have sole charge of their team, and their instructions shall be observed by their players. With the opposing Skip they shall decide all disputed points, and when both agree, their decision shall be final.
If both Skips cannot agree, the point in dispute shall be referred to, and considered by, an Umpire whose decision shall be final.
A Skip may at any time delegate their powers or any of their duties to other members of their team provided that such delegation is notified to the opposing Skip.
51(b) The Third
The third player may have deputed to them the duty of measuring any and all disputed shots.
51(c) The Second
The Second player shall keep a record of all shots scored for and against their team and shall at all times retain possession of the score card whilst play is in progress. They shall see that the names of all the players are entered on the score card; shall compare their record of the game with that of the opposing Second player as each end is declared, and at the close of the game shall hand their score card to their Skip.
51(d) The Lead
The Lead shall place the mat and shall deliver the Jack ensuring that the Jack is properly centred before playing their first bowl.
51(e)
In addition to the duties specified in the preceding clauses any player may undertake such duties as may be assigned to them by the skip in clause 51(a) hereof.
It is also worth emphasising that the head must not be disturbed by any player until the shots have been finally agreed. When the Thirds or Skips are deciding the shots the other players should stand well back from the head and give them the space to do so.
During the game encourage your team mates, do not criticize them. Commend good shots and learn to accept that flukes are a part of the game. Sometimes they go for you, sometimes against.
Competitions & Friendlies
Dates for competitions and friendlies will be displayed on the notice board in the clubhouse. For internal competition matches should be arranged amicably between both parties. Playing member’s telephone numbers are available beside the telephone in the clubhouse. If unable to contact your opponent a challenge book is available – if this is used 2 dates in one week and 1 in another should be offered.
Etiquette for Markers on the Bowling Green
During the season, when we are heavily involved in singles ties, markers are required. Please consider making yourself available as a marker whenever you can. We all know that there is nothing worse than playing an important tie without a marker. It is not good etiquette to watch games from the sidelines or from the clubhouse while there are people playing without markers. If you have the time then get out there and mark a tie!
If you are marking a tie the following rules should be observed. [Note that these are not the formal SBA rules related to official markers.] These rules are what is expected of a marker in club competitions:
When a player has delivered the jack the marker should centre it then stand back and to one side, ensuring that all rink markers are visible to the players.
They should answer any specific question (from the player in possession of the rink) about the state of the head. They should not offer any additional information that has not been requested. When asked, they should tell or show the player in possession of the rink which bowl or bowls the marker considers to be shot.
If you are unsure of the situation, for example you cannot decide who is lying, don't guess. You can offer an opinion but make sure that the player who is asking the question is made aware of this.
The marker should mark all touchers immediately after they have come to rest and remove chalk marks from non-touchers. They should also remove all dead bowls from the rink with the players' agreement. They should also mark the position of touchers and or the jack which are in the ditch.
The marker should not move any bowls until the end is complete and the players have agreed the number of shots.
They shall measure disputed shots when required but once again no bowls should be moved by the marker until the players agree the shots for the end. If an umpire is available then they may be called upon for a decision. Where no umpire is available the marker may select one. Both players may also agree that the marker should make the decision. This is acceptable at local level.
