Lawn bowls etiquette consists of guidelines that dictate how players should behave while bowling. These guidelines are based on mutual respect and common courtesy, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone involved—both players and spectators. They are straightforward, common-sense principles that should be followed for the good of the game. Some aspects of etiquette are also included in the laws of the game and club rules. This list is not exhaustive, but it covers key points.
Be on Time: Arriving late can hold up the start of a game and will likely be frowned upon by fellow players. If you are excessively late, your team may even have to forfeit the game, which is something to avoid!
Dress Appropriately: Wearing the correct footwear is essential on any bowling green. The attire you choose should reflect the nature of the game and can vary from informal wear to your club’s officially approved kit.
Stand Still When Others Bowl: Respect the bowler’s right to concentrate. Avoid distractions by remaining still while someone is preparing to bowl.
Be Alert When Moving Around Adjacent Rinks: Always check to ensure you are not in the line of sight of a player about to bowl. Time your movements carefully to avoid disruption.
Observe the Rules of Possession: The team whose bowl is currently being played holds possession of the rink. Players in possession should not be interfered with, annoyed, or distracted in any manner by their opponents.
Acknowledge Good Play: Congratulate your opponents for well-played shots to show sportsmanship.
Do Not Drop Your Bowl: Bowling greens are delicate surfaces. Dropping a bowl is disrespectful and can damage the green.
Shake Hands: Shake hands with all players on your rink before the game begins, and introduce yourself to your opponents. It’s also customary to shake hands at the end of the game to congratulate or commiserate, as appropriate.
Keep Complaints to Yourself: Complaining about the greens, facilities, or other players is considered bad form. Everyone is doing their best, and no one intends to play poorly. Many clubs operate with limited resources and manage their greens with the best care possible.
By adhering to these guidelines, players can contribute to a positive environment for everyone involved in lawn bowls.
The game of bowls played at Chepstow is outdoor lawn green bowls, and one of the great challenges is the weather. No two days are the same; it can even change by the hour, and that is what makes it so fascinating, as it requires constant adjustment with every bowl played.
In order to play the game, a player must, in the first instance, have a set of four matching woods/bowls and a pair of flat, smooth bowling shoes. However, bowls can initially be borrowed at the Club and should only be purchased when the player is satisfied and comfortable with the size, should they decide to buy a set.
Games are played in the following formats:
4 wood singles: 2 players/4 woods each – first to reach 21 shots
2 wood singles: 2 players/2 woods each – 21 ends
4 wood pairs: 2 players against another 2 players, each with 4 woods – 18 ends
2 wood pairs: 2 players against another 2 players, each with 2 woods – 18 ends
Triples: 3 players against another 3 players, each with 3 woods – 18 ends
Rinks or Fours: Similar to triples, this is a combined team game, and playing together as a team with good communication yields positive results.
The most common game played is fours or rinks, and it is this format that most team games follow. It is essential, therefore, that everyone knows the position they are playing in and that they carry out the responsibilities of that position throughout the entire game.
Lead (No 1): This can be the most important position, as it is the lead who bowls the jack and ideally has their two woods within 6 inches of the jack—preferably one behind and one in front. They start to build a head of bowls around the jack. The Lead must also be able to deliver the jack to the position required by the Skip and then deliver their bowls as close to the jack as possible. When the end is finished, it is their duty to either put down the mat for the next end and bowl the jack or, in the event of losing the end, collect the woods and place them well away from the delivery mat to prevent anyone from tripping over them.
No 2: This is also an important position, as you will need to consolidate the play of the Lead or compensate for any poor play. While you will be required to play a drawing shot, you may need to apply a little more weight to negotiate the opposition’s woods around the head. You must respond to the Skip’s instructions. You will also be responsible for the scorecard and updating the scoreboard at a home game.
No 3: You need to be able to play a wide range of shots, although the draw remains the primary play. You may be asked to attack the head or play a positional shot. Communication with your Skip is important, and you should work well together, constantly discussing what shot you are going to play. At the end of the day, it is the Thirds who determine the number of shots. Other players on the team should stand at a distance to avoid interfering with the Thirds.
Skip: Responsible for the team and tactical decision-making, the Skip must always involve their team to work cohesively. Finishing off the end with a winning shot or saving the team from losing too many shots by drawing in to cut down is their main function. However, they must have the support and commitment of their team. Working together as a team presents a great challenge, but there is so much enjoyment to be gained from this wonderful game.
At Chepstow Bowling Club, we play according to World Bowls Rules. At the start of the 2025 outdoor season, the official rules are “Laws of the Sport of Bowls Crystal Mark Fourth Edition.” A copy of these rules is kept on the noticeboard for reference (please ensure it remains there).
You can view the laws online here: Laws of Bowls
Amendments are allowed to these rules: the National and County bodies to which The Club is affiliated and the Club itself may apply amendments to these rules.
For those new to the game, don’t get too hung up on learning the laws – you’ll pick them up as you go along. The best way to learn the laws of bowls is to play the game with more experienced players. To quote an experienced bowls umpire, “Some of the laws of bowls can be quite difficult to interpret”. This is true, but luckily you may never encounter some of the circumstances to which such laws apply.
At the end of April keep an eye open for one of Mark Handcock’s Marker Courses, where you can learn about tricky shot measurements and other matters in a fun environment. You’ll learn a lot and might be surprised by what you learn.
This set of rules is concerned with, for example, the type of footwear we allow on our green, dress codes for certain types of play on the green, when the green may be used, smoking, security and so on.
For the Cub Constitution and Club Rules, please click here.
