Etiquette

Playing Etiquette

• Dress correctly for the occasion.
• Compliment your opponent for a shot well played.
• Offer a “bad luck” on occasions when a well-tried shot did not quite come off.
• Admit your own luck with grace and do not say “well bowled” when a team members ‘fluke’ gets a lucky result.
• Stand still when a player is on the mat, and when walking round the green not participating, be aware of a game in progress and stand still or move quickly out of the Iine of sight of any player about to bowl.
• Remain still when at the head when a bowl is about to be delivered.
• Remain behind the mat, out of the eyeline of the player about to bowl, do not talk or make a noise, until the bowl has been released.
• Always remember the person on the mat has possession of the mat until their bowl comes to rest.
• Keep to your own rink. Do not wander about and distract bowlers on other rinks.
• When changing ends keep to the centre of the rink.
• Be aware of your shadow, do not let it fall on the jack or in front of a bowler about to play.
• Do not stand in front of rink markers, boundary pegs, numbers etc. Most bowlers use these as reference points when bowling.
• Never criticise your opponents or your team, ALWAYS try to be POSITIVE and ENCOURAGING.
• Pay attention to the game at all times.
• Be ready to bowl when it is your turn.
• Leave serious conversation and socialising until after the game.
• When playing singles or when skip, remember to pick up the mat after your opponent has played the last bowl of the end.
• Make sure you are clear about the rules of the game and keep them.
• Congratulate your opponents after the game, it is always customary to offer your losing opposite number refreshment.
• Help to clear away the equipment after the game.
• ENJOY THE GAME OF BOWLS WIN OR LOSE!

Playing Etiquette cont.

• stand behind the mat when a bowler is delivering a bowl and keep your shadow off the mat. Stand within the rink boundary markers and don’t wander onto another rink that is in use.
• if you follow your bowl up the green make sure you are behind the head before the next bowler is ready to deliver their bowl.
• stand approx 2m back from the head and 1m to the side of jack, keep your shadow off the jack. Do not obscure rink boundary markers. Be mindful not to disturb any bowls in the head.
• when a bowler is on the mat it is their teammates who ‘control the head and mat’. Do not stand between your opponents and the head. Also, refrain from calling information down to the mat end when this is the case.
• when the last bowl delivered comes to rest the end is finished. The shot count now takes place.
• do not move or remove any bowls from the head until the shot count has been agreed by both teams. The team that are holding shot/shots do not remove the bowls from the head for counting. It is the opponents who do so.
• bowls are now gathered by the non-scoring team and delivered behind and to the right of the mat ready for the next end to be played.

Bethlem Etiquette

• please wear flat bottom footwear when playing on the green. Dress in an acceptable manner. White shirts and grey trousers for casual play and roll-ups. Club shirts and grey or white trousers as advised for midweek or weekend matches in your diary.
• please tidy up after your game. Make sure all playing equipment is returned to the tack room and nets are hung to dry if wet. Wash all used cups etc in hot soapy water and keep kitchen and bar area clean and tidy, as you would expect to find them (it’s your club).
• respect the green, it costs your club a lot of money to maintain and keep in pristine condition.
• nets must be laid for all casual play and roll-ups if advised by a green ranger. This is usually at the early and late stages of the season when the green is damp and wet. A sign on the tack door will advise if nets are to be laid. Please be aware that if the net sign is not displayed and you notice that the green is cutting while play is in progress, you must stop the game and lay nets before you continue with play.
• please lock tack room, club house and gate if you are the last person to leave the club. Don’t forget to adjust numbers on padlock.

Help and Understanding

Bethlem RH Bowls Club welcomes all new and experienced bowlers alike. It is the clubs intention to make your bowling experience pleasant and enjoyable on and off the green. A casual roll-up and a bit of fun is great, but it can lead to bad bowling habits and a lack for understanding the game. The club urges you to play your bowls to the correct rules and etiquette whilst maintaining the fun and laughter you desire. Individually and collectively as a club we will all prosper from this. Your success is Bethlem’s success.

New bowlers that are seeking further help and advice, please consult an experienced bowler. If they don’t know the answer to your questions, they will find out.