Godstone Bowling Club has a long history and has been in existence since 1921. We have a proud reputation for being a very friendly club and have a full programme of matches, club events, internal competitions, roll ups and social events.

Our bowling green and pavilion are situated in a lovely village setting behind the tennis courts on Godstone Green where cricket is regularly back in action.

We welcome new members whether experienced or new bowlers who are encouraged to try their hand at bowling with free personal coaching. A Members Handbook is issued to all members which is very helpful to both new and existing members as it covers essential information for all bowlers concerning our club.

Once you have learned the basics of playing the game and have gained a fair knowledge of its Rules, you are now ready to develop an understanding of bowls etiquette. Lawn bowls remains one of the few sports where common courtesy and etiquette are still prevalent. (Although the guidelines below may seem daunting, the most important points are to be polite and encouraging to other bowlers whilst also enjoying the game!)

Bowls etiquette for general play and the etiquette of team roles are included within our Members Handbook but as a handy reference please see below:-

Etiquette for General Play

1. Ensure you know the dress code for each game in which you are participating.
2. Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to commencing the game so that you are able to change for a prompt start.
3. Walk around the Green, not across it, to reach your rink.
4. Do not use mobile phones around the Green.
5. Introduce yourself to your opponent(s) and shake hands both before and after the game.
6. Do not sit on the rim of the Green with your feet on the edge of the Green or in the ditch.
7. Concentrate fully on the game, even during trial ends.
8. If you are at the same end as the player delivering a bowl, stand well back behind the mat and stay quiet, so that you do not distract the bowler.
9. When it is your turn, ensure you are ready to deliver your bowel as soon as the opponent leaves the mat.
10. Always remember that as soon as your bowl comes to rest, possession of the mat passes to your opponent.
11. After the last bowl of an end has been played, it is considered courteous for the penultimate bowler to pick up the mat and place it off the Green.
12. When changing ends, walk down the centre of the rink to avoid trespassing on other rinks or distracting other players.
13. If you are positioned at the head, stand well back from the head and to either side of the Jack position and again keep quiet and still, so as not to distract the deliverer at the far end.
14. Make sure also that you are not obscuring boundary pegs, rink plates or rink markers from the deliverer’s line of visition.
15. Be aware also that on sunny days your shadow should not mask the jack or fall across the mat.
16. When the head has finished, no bowls should be moved until all shots have been decided and agreed by the appropriate players on each side.
17. Do not walk behind the head of an adjacent rink whilst a player is about to deliver.
18. During the game, we should commend good shots for an against and should not criticise or show frustration if shots do not quite finish as intended.
19. Remember that bowling should be a friendly game, however important the match and all players should show courtesy and good sportsmanship throughout. Whatever the end result, be a gracious winner or a good loser.

The Etiquette of Team Roles:

THE SKIP

In all team games, it is the Skip’s job to direct the play and to encourage and praise the rest of the team. Other members in the team should play the shot directed by the Skip, even if they do not agree with it. In Fours (or Rinks) the Third should direct the Skip, whilst in Triples the Second would do this. Other players should not interfere in giving directions, unless invited to do so. The Skip also has responsibility for maintaining an accurate scorecard.

THE THIRD

The Third player in Fours/Rinks usually has deputed to him or her the duty of measuring any disputed shots and agreeing the total of scoring shots with their opposite number. Other players should not interfere in the measuring. A reference to “Threes Up” infers that the Third will accompany the Skip at the head, while the Lead and the Second take their shots.

THE SECOND

The Second player in Fours/Rinks and in Triples will play the shot directed by the Skip. In Triples only, the Second will then direct the Skip and take responsibility for measuring and agreeing the total of scoring shots. The Second is usually responsible for altering the scoreboards after each end.

THE LEAD

The Lead or Number One in possession of the mat will place the mat and deliver the jack as directed by the Skip, ensuring it is properly centred before playing the first bowl. When the end has been completed and the score(s) decided and agreed, the losing Lead should take responsibility for returning all the bowls to the edge of the Green. The losing Lead should also put out the first bowl for the winning Lead, whilst he or she delivers the next jack.

Within the Handbook there are also helpful guidelines for “Markers” during competitions to assist them to perform the task efficiently.