Home - Officials - Facilities - The Game of Bowls - Coaching/Training - Dress/Club Days - Events Calendar - Championship Rules - Results - Bowls/Books - Links - Photos - Contact Secretary   LAWS OF THE GAME: 1.Definitions - 2.Green,Ditch,Bank - 3.Equipment - 4.Arranging a Game  - 5.The Game  - 6.Movement of Bowls  - 7.Movement of the Jack - 8.Play,Players,Duties - 9.Result of End - 10.Game Decisions - 11.Influences Affecting Play - 12.Officials and Duties - 13.Administrative Matters - 14.Appendices
The Green, Ditch and Banks

SECTION 2 - THE GREEN, DITCH AND BANKS

2 THE GREEN - AREA AND SURFACE

2A Indoor and Outdoor Greens

(i) Without prejudice to the dimensions of greens already approved by Bowls NZ or former National Authorities and still in use, the green shall be a rectangle and the sides shall measure not less than 31m and not more than 40m in the direction of play.

(ii) Any green having any of its sides either shorter than the minimum prescribed length or exceeding the maximum prescribed length may be approved by Bowls NZ provided that:

(a) Such variations are reasonably justified to the satisfaction of Bowls NZ.
(b) All match play shall be parallel to standard length sides.
(c) Application for Bowls NZ approval shall be made prior to construction of such green.

(iii) The playing surface of any green shall be level and of a suitable vegetation or other suitable substance as shall first be approved by Bowls NZ.

2B Kerbing

The playing surface may be completely surrounded by and contained in a kerbing or retaining wall, the outer face of which shall form the inner face of the ditch. The top surface of any kerbing shall be of a suitable material not more than 50mm in width and not higher than the playing surface of the green.

2C Ground Sheets

The Controlling Body may permit the use of ground sheets of scrim or hessian or other approved material which shall be tautly fastened to the playing surface of the rink(s) by flat-headed pins.

Ground sheets and their attachments shall be deemed, for all purposes, to be part of the playing surface and not neutral objects.

 

3 THE DITCH

The green shall be surrounded by a ditch which shall have a holding surface which is free from obstacles, and is not injurious to Jack or bowls.

The ditch shall be a minimum of 200mm and a maximum of 380mm wide and it shall be a minimum of 50mm and a maximum of 100mm deep.

 

4 THE BANK

The top of the bank shall be a minimum of 230mm above the level of the green.

The face of the bank shall be non-injurious to Jack or bowls.

Steps which could interfere with play or damage Jack or bowls shall not be cut into the banks.

The bank shall be perpendicular to the playing surface of the green, or at a maximum angle of 35 degrees from the perpendicular leaning towards the green.

 

5 DIVISION OF THE GREEN

The green shall be divided into spaces called rinks.

The rinks shall be numbered consecutively, the centre line of each rink being marked on top of the bank at each end by a peg or other suitable device having the rink identification number displayed on it.

The minimum width of a rink shall be 3.6m and the maximum width shall be 5.8m.

All final or possible final games shall be played on a rink from 5.5m to 5.8m in width, and not on an outer rink; nor shall play be permitted on either adjoining rink.

Rinks shall be bounded at the sides by imaginary straight lines touching the outer edges of the side boundary pegs.

The prepared surface of the green shall extend for a minimum of 0.6m beyond the side boundary of an outside rink.

6 BOUNDARY PEGS AND INDICATORS

The side limits of each rink shall be indicated by pegs which shall be a minimum of 13mm and maximum 25mm wide, made of wood or other suitable material, distinctively coloured, and fixed on top of the bank not more than 100mm back from the face thereof.

The boundary pegs shall be vertical and, if not, shall be made so before the boundary of a rink is determined.

If a boundary peg is found to be out of its correct position, it shall not be moved until the end is completed on its own and the adjoining rink. The peg shall then be correctly placed by mutual agreement between the Directors or Opponents on both rinks, or by the Umpire.

Distinctively coloured pegs or discs shall be fixed on top of the side banks, or other distinctive marks painted onto the face of the side bank, to indicate clear distances of 2m and 25m from the ditches on the line of play.

The centre line of each rink may be defined by a line upon the surface of the green for a maximum distance of 4m starting 2m from each ditch