Lawn Bowling Rules Explained: Everything You Need to Know

Overview: The Rules of Lawn Bowls

The official rules of lawn bowls are published by World Bowls in a document called the "Laws of the Sport of Bowls." These laws are used worldwide, with national bodies like Bowls USA, Bowls Australia, and Bowls England applying them with minor local variations.

This guide covers the rules you need to know as a player — whether you are just starting out or brushing up before a competition. We have organized them from the most fundamental concepts to the finer points that come up during competitive play.

The Playing Area

The Green

• A bowling green is a flat, square or rectangular surface of natural grass or synthetic turf.
• It measures 31 to 40 meters in the direction of play and up to 60 meters wide.
• The green is divided into parallel lanes called rinks, each 4.3 to 5.8 meters wide.
• A typical green has 6 rinks, though this varies.

The Ditch and Bank

• A ditch surrounds the green — a shallow trench about 200–380mm wide and 50–200mm deep.
• Beyond the ditch is the bank — a raised border.
• Bowls that enter the ditch are dead (out of play) unless they are a toucher (explained below).
• If the jack enters the ditch, it is still alive and in play — provided it stays within the rink boundaries.

Rink Markers

• Each rink is marked with boundary pegs on the bank.
• A center line runs down the middle of each rink.
• Players must keep their bowls within the rink boundaries. A bowl that crosses a boundary is dead.

Equipment Rules

Bowls

• Must conform to World Bowls specifications — tested and stamped with a valid bias mark.
• Diameter: 112 to 134mm.
• Weight: maximum 1.59 kg.
• Each player uses a matched set (2 or 4 bowls of identical specification with matching identification marks).
• Bowls must have clear identification marks — typically concentric rings (discs) on each side. The smaller ring marks the bias side.

The Jack

• Diameter: 63 to 67mm.
• Weight: 225 to 285 grams.
• Must be white or yellow.
• Must be unbiased (rolls in a straight line).

The Mat

• Minimum size: 360mm x 600mm (outdoor).
• Made of rubber or approved material.
• Placed on the center line of the rink at the start of each end.
• The front edge of the mat must be at least 2 meters from the rear ditch and the front edge at least 25 meters from the front ditch.

Delivery Rules

Foot Faults

When delivering a bowl, the player must:

• Have at least one foot entirely on or above the mat at the moment of release.
• If both feet are off the mat when the bowl is released, it is a foot fault and the bowl must be stopped and replayed, or declared dead (depending on when the fault is noticed).

Delivery Action

• The bowl must be delivered by hand — not kicked, thrown overhand, or otherwise illegally propelled.
• The bowl should be released at or near ground level and should not be "dumped" (dropped from height, causing it to bounce).
• There is no rule about delivery speed — both gentle draws and forceful drives are legal shots.

Time Limits

• In competition play, players are typically expected to deliver their bowl within 30 seconds of stepping onto the mat.
• Persistent slow play can result in warnings from the umpire.

Jack Delivery Rules

At the start of each end:

1. 1The team that won the previous end places the mat.
2. 2Their lead delivers the jack.
3. 3The jack must travel at least 23 meters from the mat (measured from the front edge of the mat to the jack's resting position).
4. 4The jack must stay within the rink boundaries.
5. 5The jack must not enter the ditch.

If the jack delivery is invalid:

• If the jack fails to travel 23 meters, goes in the ditch, or leaves the rink, the opposing lead delivers the jack.
• If both leads fail to deliver a valid jack, the jack is placed on the 2-meter mark at the far end of the rink (centered on the center line).

Once the jack comes to rest, it is centered — moved laterally to the center line of the rink.

Scoring Rules

How Points Are Counted

After all bowls have been delivered in an end:

1. 1Identify which team has the bowl closest to the jack. That team is "holding."
2. 2Count how many of that team's bowls are closer to the jack than the opponent's nearest bowl.
3. 3Each qualifying bowl scores one shot (one point).
4. 4The opposing team scores zero.
5. 5If the two nearest bowls (one from each team) are equidistant from the jack, the end is a tied end — no points are scored.

Measuring

• When it is unclear which bowl is closest, a measure is used — typically a retractable tape or calipers for very close calls.
• In Fours, the thirds (vice-skips) from each team measure and agree on the count before any bowls are moved.
• If they cannot agree, an umpire is called.

Scoreboard

Each end's result is recorded on a scoreboard. The running total of shots for each team is displayed throughout the game.

Touchers: A Critical Rule

A toucher is a bowl that touches the jack during its initial delivery — before it comes to rest or before the next bowl is delivered. Touchers are special:

• A toucher is marked with chalk (a white mark) to distinguish it.
• If a toucher subsequently falls into the ditch, it remains alive (in play). It is the only bowl that can legally be in the ditch.
• A toucher retains its status for the remainder of the end, even if the jack is later moved.

A bowl that is knocked onto the jack after delivery is NOT a toucher. It must touch the jack during its original course of delivery to qualify.

Dead Bowls

A bowl is dead (out of play) if:

• It enters the ditch without being a toucher.
• It is knocked out of the rink boundaries.
• It fails to travel at least 14 meters from the mat (in some rule sets).
• It rebounds from the face of the bank onto the green (dead even though it returns to the playing surface).

Dead bowls are removed from the rink and placed on the bank.

The Jack During Play

The jack can move during an end. This is legal and is one of the tactical dimensions of the game.

Jack Displacement

• Any bowl (during its delivery or when struck by another bowl) can move the jack.
• If the jack is moved but stays within the rink boundaries (including into the ditch), play continues with the jack in its new position.
• Trailing the jack — deliberately moving it toward your own back bowls — is a common tactical shot.

Dead End (Jack Out of Bounds)

If the jack is knocked outside the rink boundaries or onto the bank (not just into the ditch), the end is declared dead (also called a "burnt end"):

• The end is replayed in the same direction.
• No score is recorded for the dead end.
• The same team that originally placed the mat does so again.

Game Formats and Their Rules

Singles

Pairs

Triples

Fours (Rinks)

For a deeper dive into each format, visit our game formats guide.

Tie-Breaking Rules

When teams are tied at the end of regulation play:

Common Rule Situations

What If a Bowl Is Moved Accidentally?

If a bowl at rest is accidentally moved (e.g., kicked by a player, moved while measuring), the opposing skip decides whether to:

• Leave the bowl where it was moved to, or
• Replace it to its original position.

What If the Wrong Player Delivers?

If a player delivers out of turn, the opposing skip can:

• Let the bowl stand (declare the end as it lies), or
• Have the bowl stopped and returned, with play continuing in the correct order.

What If You Deliver the Wrong Bias?

There is no rule against delivering a bowl with the wrong bias — it is simply a mistake that sends your bowl curving away from the target. It counts as a legal delivery, and you do not get to replay it. It happens to everyone at some point.

Trial Ends

Before competitive matches, teams typically play one or two trial ends (practice ends) in each direction. These do not count toward the score and allow players to assess the green speed and conditions.

Social Bowling Rules

Many clubs run social bowling with relaxed rules:

• Shorter games: 10–15 ends instead of 18–21.
• Flexible formats: 2-bowl triples or modified pairs are common.
• Random draws: Teams are formed by drawing names from a hat (a system called "tabs-in").
• Multiple short games: 3 or 4 games of 7–8 ends, with teams re-drawn between games and individual scores accumulated.
• Relaxed dress code: No whites required for social play.

These modifications make the game more accessible and social, which is why social bowls is the most popular form of the game at most clubs.

Where to Learn More

• How to Play Lawn Bowls: Our step-by-step beginner's guide
• Lawn Bowling Glossary: 80+ terms defined
• Player Positions: Understanding Lead, Second, Third, and Skip
• Find a Club: Our USA club directory

The official laws of the sport are published by World Bowls and are available for free download. For competition play, always consult your local association's specific regulations, as minor variations may apply.