Etiquette is a code of behavior whereby individuals treat one another the way they would like to be treated. Breaches of etiquette are sometimes willful, and sometimes inadvertent. Particularly in the latter case, injured parties should avoid overreacting, or else a breach of etiquette more objectionable than the original could occur.

Etiquette is an important part of Bowls and all clubs and their members should not only practice it, but inform new members what is proper and expected behavior on the green and in the clubhouse. Thoughtfulness and common sense are the keys to etiquette.

Rules of etiquette for lawn bowling include (but are not limited to):

1. Players and spectators at the head end should stand still when a bowler is on the mat and about to bowl.

2. There should be no trespassing over neighboring rinks; this includes going to or from the clubhouse, moving to better see the jack, and particularly when walking from one end of your green to the other. Please be aware of others playing. If you are helping your teammate aim, do so by standing behind the back board.

3. After bowling each bowl, step off the mat to the right. As you approach the mat to bowl, do so from the rear left. Though not essential, this is a useful habit of convenience to avoid collisions!

4. Always show good sportsmanship by acknowledging a display of good skill by another bowler.

5. Avoid delaying play by leaving the rink without the knowledge of the other players.

6. Avoid interfering with the head until the results of the end have been agreed upon by the vices.

7. Bowlers should shake hands at the end of a game.

8. The plinth area of the green is fragile and should be treated with care. This includes, but is not limited to, wearing proper footwear, not dropping or tossing bowls on the green, and not spitting or pouring liquids (water, coffee, etc.) on the green.

9. Punctuality for all games is a courtesy to the other players.

10. While standing at the head end waiting for the player on the mat to bowl, stand between the markers so the bowler can see and use the markers to aim.

11. When a bowl hits another bowl in play, it's important that the vice or skip at the "head" end signal to the bowler on the mat whether the struck bowl is yours (generally by tapping your shoulder) or the other teams (generally by tapping your knee).

12. Bowlers not raking the bowls after an end should assist by kicking the bowls into an approximate line, thus making raking easier and faster.

13. Players at the head end should be ready to stop deflected bowls from crossing into the adjacent rink and interfering with neighboring games; likewise, be alert to prevent bowls from adjacent rinks from messing up your own head. Pay attention!

14. At Palo Alto we have no objections to bowlers running after their bowl (we neither discourage enthusiasm nor youthful fitness) but you must try to arrive at the head before your bowl stops.

15. A time limit of 2 minutes is allowed between the time when the opponent's bowl stops and the next bowler delivers his/her bowl. When there is clear violation, an umpire or club official who is notified may issue a warning or appropriate penalty.

16. All bowlers are urged to have chalk and a measuring tape when bowling so that bowls that touch the jack can be immediately marked and, if necessary at the finish of an end, measuring can be undertaken without delay.

17. All bowlers should remember to clear the equipment from your rink after your game.

Note: This is a brief summary, but all you need to get started. The most valuable lessons come from joining games.

See also the Code of Bowling Etiquette in the US Laws of the Sport