SOME OF THE MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What size are greens? - Greens are normally between 34-40 metres (37-44 yards) and are required to be rectangular or square.

Are all rinks the same width? - a. No - they can vary between 4.3 & 5.8 metres (14/19 ft. for outdoor greens, and 4.6 to 5.8 metres (15/19 ft. for indoor greens.

Are Jacks & Mats Always the same everywhere? - a. Mats yes - they are 360mm by 600mm  (14 inches by 24 inches) long. Jacks may be whit or yellow in colour. While the same size (not less than 63mm and not more than 64mm). The jack used for indoor or artificial outdoor surface play to weigh between 382gms & 453gms (between 13.5 & 15 ounces). To weigh between 225gms & 285gms (half a pound approx, for grass outdoor surfaces.

Does it matter which colour bowling shoes I buy? - a. Not really but stick to brown or grey at first. White / Black are permitted but there are restrictions on the use of these two colours for indoor play.

Can I use my bowls to play in a team i have just joined? - a. broadly speaking yes - BUT they MUST be, from a matched set of four. i.e. the same make / colour/size/weight/engraving serial number, and each with a legal date stamp.

What happens if a bowl is damaged during a game? - a. It may be replaced from the same set, but if using four bowls you need to replace the whole set.

If I win the toss to start a game must I play first? - a. No you have the choice either to do so or ask your opponant to do so. Note however that if this first end is eventually 'burned' (dead end) or a 'no shot' The player who played first shall again do so to replay it.

How many trial enda are allowed, and wher must the mat & jack be placed? - a. If agreed to be played not more than one in each direction, (they are not mandatory) , no must positions as such - can be placed anywhere within normal limitations.

Are you allowed to change or try out different bowls, during trial ends? - a. yes you can also start the game with a different set providing they have been checked and passed beforehand.

I deliver the jack and it strikes someone going up the green? - a. 1 if it was an opponant or neutral person (or object) that was struck - you re-deliver it-or (2) if it was one of your own team that was struck, - your opponant re-delivers it, and can re-position the mat to do so if they wish. No matter who it is however, the winner of the last 'scoring' end delivers the first bowl.

How often can the leads in turn deliver illegal jacks to start an end, and what then? - a. Only once each, - The jack is then set at the distant 2 metre mark , with the mat placement at the option of the first bowler due to play.

Must I have two feet on the mat to deliver jack or bowls? - a. No - but one must be on or in the air over the mat, at the moment of delivery.

Is there a time limit for a bowl to be a 'toucher' i.e. comes to rest and then falls over to touch the jack? - a. Yes - it must make contact before the next bowl to be played leaves the player's hand, or if it is the last bowl to be played ; this must be within 30 seconds of coming to rest.

Is there a time limit for marking a toucher? - a. Yes - it must be marked with 'chalk', or (nominated to the opposing Skip, if that act might cause it to topple) before the next bowl played comes to rest, otherwise it ceases to become a toucher.

What if a jack is in the ditch and is touched by, or stops, a newly delivered bowl? - a. The bowl becomes 'dead'  A bowl can never become a toucher after the jack is in the ditch.

What does rink posssession actually mean? - a. Once the bowl currently in play comes to rest. The player who delivered it nust be either at the back of the mat or up at the head, because at that moment 'possession of the rink passes to the opposing team.  and the team not in possession may not hold up, nor distract in any way, the player about to play. 

What if I play one of my opponants bowls by mistake?  - a. Nothing happens - once at rest, mark it's position and angle, replace it exactly with yours and return it to the owner.

What if I play out of turn? - a. If the bowl is on it's way, the opposing skip can stop it and return it to be played in the proper sequence. If it is not noticed until it comes to rest, providing it is (a) still live and (b) has not disturbed the head. The player who should have played, plays two bowls in succession, to restore the proper sequence. If however, it has disturbed the head, the opposing Skip has three options: - a. leave things as they are and have his/her player play two bowls in succession, or b. replace the head in it's original position and return the bowl, - to be replayed in it's proper turn, or (c) declare the end dead.

What happens if a bowl or the jack rebounds from the bank back onto the rink? - a. If a non toucher, it becomes a dead bowl, and any bowls disturbed by it are restored as near as possible to their original position by a member of the opposing team. A toucher, and / or the jack remains in play and disturbance caused by them are legal and valid.

The above questions & answers have been taken from LAWS OF THE GAME (coaches Answers) published 2000