Including Singles, Pairs and Handicap Singles

1. General Playing Rules

All club competitions shall be played in accordance with the current Laws of the Sport of Bowls and Bowls England rules, except where varied by these club competition playing rules.

Trial ends may be played before the start of a match, in accordance with the Laws of the Sport.

If the scores are level after the required number of ends, an extra end or extra ends shall be played until a winner is decided.

Any matter not covered by these rules shall be referred to the Competition Secretary.

The Competition Secretary’s decision shall be final.

2. Arranging Matches

Both players, or both teams in pairs competitions, are responsible for arranging a suitable date and time for their match.

Matches must be played and the result reported by the stated play-by date.

If a match has not been played and reported by the play-by date, both players or teams may be disqualified from the competition.

Where there is clear evidence that one player or team has made reasonable efforts to arrange the match and the other has not, the Competition Secretary may award the match to the player or team who made reasonable efforts.

The Competition Secretary’s decision shall be final.

3. Viewing and Updating the Draw

The competition draw can be viewed either on the paper draw sheets displayed on the club notice boards, or on the club website.

To view the draw online, go to: Members Area (Logins) - Competitions - CLUB COMPETITIONS - SUMMER 2026 SEASON.

Winning players or teams should fill in the result on the paper draw sheet on the club notice board as soon as possible after the match.

The paper draw sheet does not replace the requirement to report the result to the Competition Secretary.

4. Reporting Results

The winning player, or winning pair, is responsible for notifying the Competition Secretary of the result.

The Competition Secretary is Chris Wrenn.

Results must be reported by submitting the completed scorecard in one of the following ways:

1. Hand the scorecard directly to Chris Wrenn.
2. Take a clear photograph of the scorecard and email it to [email protected].
3. Take a clear photograph of the scorecard and send it by text message or WhatsApp to 07780 381557.

The result must be reported by the stated play-by date. If the match has not been played and the result reported by the play-by date, both players or teams may be disqualified from the competition.

5. Markers for Singles Matches

All singles matches must have a marker.

The first-named player on the draw sheet is responsible for arranging a suitable marker for the match.

The marker must be agreed by both players before the start of the game.

If the first-named player is unable to arrange a marker, both players should make reasonable efforts to find one so the match can be played by the stated play-by date.

The absence of a marker will not normally be accepted as a reason for failing to play a match by the deadline.

6. Men’s 4 Wood Singles

Each player shall play 4 woods.

The game shall be played first to 21 shots.

There is no fixed number of ends.

A marker must be used.

7. Ladies’ 4 Wood Singles

Each player shall play 4 woods.

The game shall be played first to 21 shots.

There is no fixed number of ends.

A marker must be used.

8. Men’s 2 Wood Singles

Each player shall play 2 woods.

The game shall be played over 21 ends.

The player with the highest score after 21 ends shall be the winner.

If the scores are level after 21 ends, an extra end or extra ends shall be played until a winner is decided.

A marker must be used.

9. Ladies’ 2 Wood Singles

Each player shall play 2 woods.

The game shall be played over 21 ends.

The player with the highest score after 21 ends shall be the winner.

If the scores are level after 21 ends, an extra end or extra ends shall be played until a winner is decided.

A marker must be used.

10. Men’s Drawn Pairs

Each player shall play 4 woods.

The game shall be played over 18 ends.

If the scores are level after 18 ends, an extra end or extra ends shall be played until a winner is decided.

The players in each pair may decide between themselves who plays lead and who plays skip.

11. Ladies’ Drawn Pairs

Each player shall play 4 woods.

The game shall be played over 18 ends.

If the scores are level after 18 ends, an extra end or extra ends shall be played until a winner is decided.

The players in each pair may decide between themselves who plays lead and who plays skip.

12. Mixed Pairs

Each player shall play 4 woods.

The game shall be played over 18 ends.

If the scores are level after 18 ends, an extra end or extra ends shall be played until a winner is decided.

The players in each pair may decide between themselves who plays lead and who plays skip.

13. Handicap Singles Competition

The Handicap Singles Competition shall be played in accordance with the current Laws of the Sport of Bowls and Bowls England rules, except where varied by these club competition playing rules.

Each player shall play 4 woods.

The game shall be played first to 21 shots.

There is no fixed number of ends.

A marker must be used.

The first-named player on the draw sheet is responsible for arranging a suitable marker for the match.

Each player will be given a handicap score before the competition begins.

Before the game starts, the two players’ handicaps shall be compared.

The lower handicap shall be subtracted from the higher handicap. The difference shall then be added to the score of the player with the lower handicap before the first end is played.

Handicap Calculation

Handicaps will be calculated using recent club competition results and current playing ability. The following points will be added to a player’s handicap score.

Singles competition winners

Achievement

Handicap points

Won a singles competition last season

+3

Won a singles competition two seasons ago

+2

Won a singles competition three seasons ago

+1

Won a singles competition more than three seasons ago

0

 

Pairs competition winners

Achievement

Handicap points

Won a pairs competition within the last two seasons

+1

Won a pairs competition more than two seasons ago

0

 

Playing level

Playing level

Handicap points

Regular A team player, or equivalent standard

+2

Regular B team player, or equivalent standard

+1

C team player, non-league player or developing player

0

 

Players Without Regular League Records

Some players may not play regular league bowls, or their league record may not fairly reflect their current playing ability.

In these cases, the handicap committee may assess the player’s standard based on known ability, recent club performances and general playing experience.

This rule applies equally to all players and is intended to make the competition fair where league selection alone is not a reliable guide.

 

Assessed standard

Handicap points

Equivalent to A team standard

+2

Equivalent to B team standard

+1

Lower-level, casual or developing player

0

 

Maximum Handicap

A player’s total handicap will be capped at 7 shots.

This is to prevent any player giving away an excessive number of shots at the start of a game.

Handicap Example

Player A has a handicap of 6. Player B has a handicap of 2.

The difference is 4, so Player B starts the game with 4 shots.

The game starts: Player A 0 – Player B 4.

The first player to reach 21 shots shall be the winner.

Handicaps shall be set by the Competition Secretary before the competition begins.

The Competition Secretary’s decision on handicaps shall be final.

14. Dead Ends

Dead ends shall be replayed in accordance with the Laws of the Sport unless the Competition Secretary has stated otherwise before the competition begins.

15. Substitutes

For singles competitions, substitutes are not permitted.

For pairs competitions, substitutes are only allowed with the approval of the Competition Secretary.

A substitute may not be a player who has already played in the same competition.

Once a substitute has played, the original player may not return to that competition unless the Competition Secretary agrees there are exceptional circumstances.

16. Finals

Finals shall be played under the same playing format as the earlier rounds.

Singles finals must have a marker.

Pairs finals shall be played with 4 woods per player over 18 ends.

The players in each pair may decide who plays lead and who plays skip before the start of the match.

Finals shall be played on the date set by the club, unless changed by the Competition Secretary.