Club Matters

Rules and Information

Bowling Opportunities and Availablilty of the Green

Most members will bowl in one or other of the various organised sessions as indicated below. The following are run on a weekly basis throughout the season:

Monday
Ladies Bounce Game 2.00pm
Men's Hat Night 6.45pm

Tuesday
Men's Bounce Game 10.00am

Wednesday
Ladies Points 2.00pm
Men's EBA League 7.00pm

Thursday
Men's Bounce Game 10.00am

Friday
Mixed Hat Night 7.00pm

Saturday
Mixed play days monthly and other Club events 2.00pm

Sunday
Informal Mixed play and "Try Bowls" 2.00pm

Note - Players should normally sign in 15 mins before the scheduled start.
For information on the start dates of above sessions please consult the Events Calendar via the link on the Braid Home Page.

In addition to the above Braid runs a number of Club Competitions and takes part in inter-club events through bowling leagues and "friendlies" and occasionally hosts external events. Details of these events are given in the Club Handbook and also in the online Events Calendar accessible from the Braid Home Page.

Apart from these organised sessions, members will make use of the green for informal "roll ups", casual play, and competition ties. Members are encouraged to make full use of the green but are advised to check for prior bookings and to book slots in advance. This is done through the online Bowlr booking system which you can link to from the Braid Home Page.
Members who are unable to book a rink for any reason are still free to use the green - but priority will be given to bookings.

Informal information

The formal Rules on the Use of the Green (amended 2003) are on a separate page and set out the detailed rules on how the Green may be used. However, the following informal information is provided to encourage members, particularly new members, to make the most of their membership.

Dress

Casual but smart dress appropriate for the weather is what members will normally be wearing when they are playing on the Green. The most important item of dress however is footwear. This should always be bowling shoes, that are flat-soled and "heel-less". This is for the protection of the playing surface and bowling shoes should not be worn out with the Club Grounds.

When representing the Club in League Matches, Outside Competitions or Friendlies against other clubs, then the accepted dress is as follows:

Ladies - Club Shirt or White Blouse or Polo-Shirt, White Jersey or Cardigan, Black Trousers, Navy Club Waterproof Jacket.
Men - Club Shirt or White Shirt with Club (or plain dark blue) Tie, White Jersey or Cardigan, Black or Grey Trousers, Navy Club Waterproof Jacket.
This"formal dress", sometimes referred to as"Greys and Whites"or "Uniform", is also worn on:

"No Play" and "Use of Groundsheets"

When the red "No Play" notice is displayed at the Pavilion Entrance Door, no play shall take place on the Green.
Similarly, when the "Use Groundsheets" notice is displayed at the Pavilion Entrance Door, players must ensure that groundsheets are to be used. Please refer to formal rules on Use of the Green - Rule 9 (d). The groundsheets are kept at the back of the Men's Locker Room, near to where the scoreboards are stored. You should also find a box of nails that are used to pin the groundsheets to the Green.

Finally the Club Committee would encourage all playing members to take full advantage of their membership. You are encouraged to play as often as you can and to enjoy what is widely regarded as one of the best playing surfaces in Edinburgh. We are constantly looking for new members! The Committee would urge you to encourage family and friends to come along and have a game with a view to joining.

Bowls Scotland Bowling Etiquette Hints to Beginners

  1. Players should use the steps provided when going on or off the Green.
  2. Bowls should not be dropped on the Green.
  3. Do not stand on the verges.
  4. Matches, cigarette ends, etc., should be placed in the litter-baskets and not in the Ditches.
  5. Bowls should not be kicked in until the shot has been decided.
  6. After delivering a Bowl, a player should either retire behind the Mat or advance to the head. He should not take up a position in between.
  7. Don't delay the game.
  8. Don't wander around or move about the head when a player is about to deliver a Bowl.
  9. The 'Second' always keeps the score except in Pairs.
  10. Bowling is a friendly game and all players should show courtesy and good sportsmanship.
  11. All Bowlers should know the Rules as laid down by the World Bowls Ltd.
  12. Mobile Phones should not be used on or around the green.

Stamping of Bowls - Serial Numbers on Bowls

Since 2004 World Bowls Ltd Laws made it mandatory for a set of bowls to have a serial number on them to show they were from a matched set. This has not been enforced in Scotland till now, but from April 2013 bowls from sets without a serial number will not be acceptable for competitive play in Scotland.

To read the full guidance on the Bowls Scotland website, indicating what to do if your bowls have no serial number, please follow this link: Bowls Scotland

Note

This is a catch all page which will have items such as the rules for using the green, when to wear uniform, etc. It will also include short lived items of interest to Club Members.

Please let us know what you would like to see here.

Webmaster

John Culbert