Bowls - lawn bowls

The green

A bowling green is normally square and not less than 31m and no more than 40m in the direction of play. The playing surface is either grass or a synthetic surface approved by a Member National Authority. 

The ditch

The ditch is between 200mm and 380mm wide and between 50mm and 200mm deep. The ditch has a holding surface which is free from obstacles and made from a material that will not damage the jack or the bowls.

The bank

The ditch has a bank against its outer edge. The top of the bank is at least 230mm above the surface level of the green.

The bank is vertical and set at a right angle to the surface of the green, or sloped at an angle of not more than 35° from the vertical.

The surface of the face of the bank is made of or covered with, a material which will not damage the jack or the bowls.

Rinks

The green is divided into sections called rinks. The green is normally divided into six rinks allowing six games to take place concurrently. The rinks should be not less than 4.3m nor more than 5.8m wide. 

Ideally a good green width should be around the 5m so greens do not have to be adjusted for major competitions.

The rinks are numbered in order, with the centre of each rink being marked on the bank at each end by a peg, disc or other suitable device that has the rink number on it and is fixed vertically.

Boundary pegs

The four corners of the rinks are marked by white or brightly coloured pegs made of material which will not damage the jack or bowls.

Boundary pegs are not more than 25mm wide and the centre of the peg clearly marked by a thin black vertical line if they are fixed to the face of the bank of an indoor green.

The boundary pegs of an outside rink are at least 600mm from the side ditch for outdoor play and at least 460mm from the side ditch for indoor play.

Distance markers

White or brightly coloured pegs or discs can be fixed vertically against the face or on top of the side banks in the direction of play to mark distances of 2m and 23m from the end ditches. Wherever possible these should be the only pegs or discs visible on the side banks.

Centre line

The centre line of each rink is marked along the surface of the green starting 2m from each end ditch and finishing at any point up to, but not less than 23m from the opposite end ditch. The centre line is now optional, but preference is that it should be marked to assist players place the mat.

The centre line is marked at a distance of 2m from each end ditch. The mark can be drawn in the form of a ‘T’ or a small piece of a suitable material inserted immediately below the surface of the green.

lawn-bowls-rink

References

Laws of the Sport of Lawn Bowls, Bowls Australia.
https://www.bowls.com.au/get-involved/officiating-laws/laws-of-the-sport/

Bowling Green Construction guidelines. Bowls Australia 2011.
https://www.bowls.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Club-Construction-Guidlines-Manual.pdf

Sport association details

Bowls WA

Ken Pride
Chief Executive Officer
PO Box 123, Osborne Park WA 6017
Telephone 61 8 9340 0800
Email enquiries@bowlswa.com.au
Website www.bowlswa.com.au
Facebook asportforlife

Disclaimer

The information in this guide is general in nature and cannot be relied upon as professional advice concerning the design of, or marking out for, sporting facilities and playing areas. No assurance is given as to the accuracy of any information contained in this guide and readers should not rely on its accuracy. Readers should obtain their own independent and professional advice in relation to their proposed sporting activity.

Page reviewed 04 July 2019