Bowler Q&As

Yes. When you first tried bowling at Cosburn, you probably met one of our club coaches. These experienced members have completed a special training program in coaching techniques, strategies, and ethics for lawn bowling.

Feel free to ask a club coach if you have a question about the game, need help with a delivery problem, or just want some ideas for practice drills. You can also email the club’s coaching chair at coaching@cosburnbowls.ca.

Members can book a session with a club coach on the booking page. These are usually small-group sessions, tailored to your coaching needs.

The club is open whenever there’s a jitney, tournament or other event.

The drawmaster or another volunteer usually opens the clubhouse doors at least 30 minutes before the start time. If you’re using club bowls, you can practise any time the clubhouse is open, as a long as there’s a rink available. If the rink you’re practising on is needed for a game, you may be asked to move.

Club members can also bowl at other times, even if no one else is bowling. You’ll need to book a rink online. Speak to one of the board members who will explain how to access the club.

Members may use club bowls for free. We encourage new members to use club bowls for a few seasons before buying bowls. Try different sizes and weights of club bowls to get a feel for what works best for you.

When you arrive for a jitney, we suggest you get your bowls first. Bowls are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If someone else has taken your favourite bowls, you’ll have to try another set.

After your game, put your bowls back in their sling (there’s a label on each sling identifying which bowls should be inside) and return them to the shelves in the clubhouse. If the bowls get wet or dirty, please wipe them off with a cloth or paper towel before putting them back.

Club bowls must never be kept in your locker; they’re for everyone to use.

If you need to borrow bowls for a tournament, here’s how: Speak to one of the board members who will ask you to complete a lending form. You may borrow the bowls a couple of days before the tournament and return them a couple of days after, but please keep them only as long as necessary.

Yes. The login information is posted in the clubhouse.

Many bowlers who own bowls leave them in a locker downstairs; it’s easier than taking them home after every jitney. If you need a locker, check the list posted on the wall for an empty locker. Add your name to an empty slot on the list, lock your gear in your locker, and go. The hasps on the lockers are small, so bring a lock with a thin shackle.

You can’t use your locker to store club bowls.

Cosburn Park Lawn Bowling Club started in 1929. For the first several years, there was no clubhouse, just a shed. In 1937, the members scrounged materials and built a clubhouse. In 1952, the club members held fundraising bazaars and card games to pay for the verandah. In 1971, the Borough of East York renovated the building to create the clubhouse we have today.

That’s where the washrooms and locker rooms are, along with the club office and storage rooms. Plus the usual basement equipment—furnace, water heater, and breaker panel. 

The clubhouse is not as accessible as we’d like. In particular, there are stairs—going down to the washrooms and up to the verandah and main level of the clubhouse.

We all are!

Each rink needs one jack, and two each of the mats, rakes and ground sheets. Please help grab these for your rink if no one else has yet, and don’t forget to put them back after the game.

Some players like to help set up some rinks in advance—be sure to thank them for the favour. Everyone on the rink is responsible for making sure the equipment is put away after the game.

Yes. Speak to one of the board members who will ask you to complete a lending form. 

It’s a lot of work for our premises chair, mowing staff, and the volunteers who help. It requires regular mowing and watering. Any damage needs to be repaired as quickly as possible. As well, the greens are fertilized, weeded, and rolled as needed.

Here’s how you can help:
• Always wear flat-soled shoes.
• Use the large green sheets.
• Place the bowls gently on the green at the start of the game; don’t drop them from a height or toss them from the sidelines.
• Try to roll the bowl smoothly when you deliver it. Avoid “dumping” or tossing the bowl.
• If you see a weed growing in the ditch, pull it.

A jitney is the type of game we play most often at Cosburn. It’s very much like a pickup game in other sports. Whoever shows up in time for the jitney game can play.

There are no set teams in a jitney; the drawmaster forms teams that are more or less random. Most often, jitney games are trebles (three players per team) or pairs (two per team).

At Cosburn, we like jitney play because it’s flexible and social, and members get to play with different people each time. Unlike league-style play, with fixed teams, members can play as often or as seldom as they like, without obligation to other team members.

We have open jitneys—when any member can play—on Mondays at 1 p.m., Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Saturdays at 1 p.m.

On Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m., we have a women’s jitney; on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Toronto Rainbowlers has a jitney for bowlers who identify as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender).

It’s easy! Arrive at the club about 10 minutes before the jitney starts (or earlier if you want to practise first), grab your bowls, and drop your draw card on the drawmaster’s desk. The card tells the drawmaster you want to be included in the game. The plastic draw cards are in the rack near the main door. If you don’t yet have a draw card with your name on it, you can use one of the guest cards.

The drawmaster will create teams and place the cards in one of the draw racks. Once the drawmaster announces “the draw’s up,” you can check the rack for your card—by its position, you can see which rink you’re playing on and who’s on your team. Head out to the green for your game.

In most games, first-year bowlers will be asked to play lead—that’s when you’re the first person on your team to bowl each end. With few other bowls in play, the lead can concentrate on consistently delivering a draw shot (where your bowl simply comes close to the jack without touching other bowls). It’s the fundamental shot in any bowler’s skill set.

Playing lead is a great way to learn about the game. You can watch how the skip uses strategy in the game. Watch too how the vice measures bowls and communicates with the skip. Your vice is also a good resource to answer your questions and offer you tips.

The lead is a very important player on any team. Your bowls set up the end for your vice and skip—you’re building the foundation for each end. A lead who can get closer to the jack than the opposing lead is a huge asset to any team.

In a casual Cosburn jitney, we may play through a light sprinkle, but we don’t expect anyone to suffer through a downpour. Usually both skips will agree to halt the game for a few minutes to see if the rain passes. In a serious tournament, however, rain rarely stops a game.

Lightning is a very different situation. If there’s any sign of lightning, no matter how serious or casual the game, you must come off the green immediately.

Only if it flatters your skin tone. There are no rules about what you wear for a jitney, except for the flat-soled shoes that protect the green. Most running shoes or sneakers are fine.

Lawn bowling isn’t as stuffy as some non-bowlers believe, but there are unspoken rules of good bowls behaviour. For the most part, bowls etiquette is about being friendly and respectful to other players.

• Before each game, shake hands with the other players and wish them “Good bowling.” Shake hands again after the game.  
• Be ready to bowl when it’s your turn. When you’re on the mat, you can take a few moments to focus your concentration and get ready to deliver; at other times, keep the game moving at a reasonable pace.
• Don’t do anything that could distract the bowler on the mat.
• If the other team’s shot doesn’t go where intended or accidentally helps your team, don’t comment on it. It’s fine, though, to cheer a good shot by either team.
• If you’re raking the bowls, leave them behind and to the right of the bowler on the mat. Collecting the bowls in one consistent spot is a safety measure, making it less likely anyone will trip on a bowl.
• Stay on your rink, especially when you’re walking to the other end.
• When the skips are bowling, you must stand out of the head and not block the bowler’s view of any bowl on the rink.
• While the vices are determining the score after an end, other players must also stand out of the head. It’s the vices’ job to determine the score.

It shouldn’t happen, and it’s not something the club encourages. Occasionally, an experienced bowler can be overly enthusiastic about helping, but members are expected to be careful about offering unsolicited coaching during a jitney, especially to someone on the opposing team.

There are a couple of situations where guidance is expected. On New Bowler Mondays, the games are intended to help newbies learn skills, strategy and the fine points of the rules. The drawmasters mix new and experienced bowlers so newer players have someone nearby who can give advice and answer questions.

As well, your skip’s role in any game includes managing the team, which may involve pointing out an issue that’s affecting play.

That said, coaching should always be invited and respectful. From time to time, a long-time bowler may suggest a delivery style that differs from what Cosburn’s coaches teach. You’re welcome to try suggestions if you wish—but you should feel free to use the technique that works best for you.

If someone’s advice feels distracting or unwelcome, it’s perfectly fine to deflect it with a brief response such as, “Thanks—I’ll work on that another time,” or “I’m focusing on my aim today.” If the behaviour continues, let your skip know; they can address it with the other player.

On the five statutory holidays that fall during our season, we have special events for all members at the club. There’s usually food, and there’s always a jitney game or two.

If you want to join in the meal, sign up in advance so the volunteers know how much to prepare. There’s often a small extra charge for the food. If you just want to come by for the games, just put your card on the drawmaster’s desk, like any other jitney.

There are tournaments geared to novices; they’re a great way for new bowlers to learn about tournament play.

In a novice-only tournament, the organizers usually provide more detailed instruction about the tournament because many of the players are completely new to tournaments. And although everyone wants to win, these tournaments can be more focused on having fun than on competing at a high level.

Other tournaments combine novices and experienced players in each team. These are great opportunities for novice bowlers to learn from other players. Skilled novices who enjoy tournament play are in high demand for these events. In your online Cosburn roster profile, you can let other members know that you’re available for tournaments.

Once you feel comfortable bowling in jitneys, we encourage you to consider entering a tournament. But choose wisely. There are tournaments geared to new bowlers, such as our novice tournament in August, and others that require a novice member on each team; those are good choices for your first tournament.

The atmosphere and expectations can be quite different than at a jitney, and tournaments are a great learning experience for all bowlers.

Most tournaments are one-day events, usually starting around 9:30 a.m. and finishing around 5 p.m., but there are also some two-day and even three-day tournaments.

In a one-day tournament, you’ll usually play three games.

Cosburn holds both in-club tournaments, which are open to Cosburn members only, and inter-club tournaments that any Ontario Lawn Bowling Association member can enter.

Many other clubs hold OLBA tournaments that you can enter. The OLBA publishes an online listing of tournaments in Ontario and the OLBA Annual, a printed book of tournament listings and other information for bowlers.

Yes, tournament games are very much like jitney games. Before the tournament, the organizers will announce how many ends will be played, how tie games will be resolved, and what happens if bad weather interrupts the tournament.

In general, teams play more seriously and competitively at tournaments, and lawn bowling rules are followed more strictly. If there’s a disagreement about rules or scoring and the skips can’t agree, most tournaments designate an umpire who will resolve a dispute.

Even in tournaments, most bowlers are friendly and helpful, but occasionally players will try to throw off opposing players by disputing scores, slowing down or speeding up the play, or just generally being unpleasant. Ignore them, stand your ground, and play your own game. If you believe another player’s behaviour crosses the line from annoying to inappropriate, tell your skip.

Not always. There are a few tournaments, including Cosburn’s novice tournament, that you can enter as an individual. In those tournaments, the tournament organizer creates teams, much like the drawmaster does for a jitney.

Most tournaments, though, require you to enter as a team. Each tournament will specify the gender mix, number of players, and often the experience level required to enter. You’ll see these terms on the tournament listing:

Men’s: a team of all men.
Women’s: a team of all women.
Mixed: a team that includes both men and women.
Open: a team with any combination of genders.

Pairs: a team of two players.
Trebles or Triples: a team of three players.
Fours: a team of four players.

Novice: a player who has been an OLBA members for five years or less. Some tournaments may require all novices; others require a minimum number of novices on a team. The OLBA extended novice status during COVID, so there are a few novices now who have been bowling for seven years.

Often the team requirements are abbreviated in listings. For example, “MP” is Mixed Pairs; “OT” is Open Triples.

Tournament listings will include registration instructions. Some clubs, including Cosburn, offer online registration, but most clubs require one member of the team to contact a tournament organizer by email or phone.

If you register a team and one member is unable to play, you may substitute another player who is eligible for the tournament. If the whole team must drop out, you must contact the tournament organizer as soon as possible so another team can enter in your place. If you don’t cancel your entry and don’t show up at a tournament, many clubs will blacklist you from future tournaments.

For most tournaments, you don’t have to wear the traditional all-white uniform, but it is customary to have a team uniform. For most teams, “uniform” just means “a similar look.” Usually your tops are a similar colour, and your shorts or pants are also a similar colour. They don’t need to be identical: two shades of grey, for instance, are fine. Tournament organizers may check that your footwear is flat.

Tournaments at the provincial and national level have more specific rules for uniforms. The OLBA publishes its rules here.

No. You can play in any OLBA tournament as long as you meet its eligibility requirements.

Tournaments with more senior bowlers, however, may have a more serious, competitive atmosphere, and you will be expected to be familiar with lawn bowling rules and gameplay.

First thing in the morning, you’ll need to sign in; be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before the tournament start time. When all of your team members are there, you can sign in and pay the entry fee (in cash). Some tournaments require you to show an OLBA card to prove eligibility.

Bring whatever you’ll need for the day, including bowls. (Cosburn members can borrow club bowls for a tournament.) Check the forecast and be prepared for changes in weather; we suggest bringing a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and rainwear.

Many bowlers arrive early to warm up before the games start. You may throw practice bowls only in a direction perpendicular to the tournament play—it’s an unfair advantage to practise in the direction of play.

Tournaments usually include three games, with a break between each game. One of the breaks will allow extra time for everyone to eat lunch. Bring your lunch, unless the tournament description specifies that lunch is provided. Many tournaments provide light snacks and soft drinks between games.

Your opponents for the first game are determined by a random draw. In subsequent games, you’ll usually play teams with a similar record as yours (winning teams play against winning teams, for example). 

You are expected to stay for all three games, even if your team is not playing well. Leaving a tournament early is very inconsiderate. Polite bowlers also stay for the announcement of the winners at the end of the tournament. Many tournaments draw for a random prize among the teams that didn’t win, so you may be lucky.

We’re not sure why, but raisin bread is one of the morning snacks at almost every tournament. It’s one of many quirky pleasures of lawn bowling culture. 

There are special tournaments, called “districts” or “district playdowns,” which allow players to represent their district at provincial competitions. (OLBA clubs are organized into 16 districts; Cosburn is in District 10.) Some district playdowns are for novices only; others are open to all bowlers in that district. Usually, there are district playdowns for pairs, trebles, singles, etc.

By entering district playdowns, you are committing to continue (if you win) to the provincial competitions. Before entering, be sure you are willing and able to travel to the provincial events. Similarly, if you win at provincials, you are expected to go to the Canadian national championships. To offset travel expenses, Cosburn offers a modest subsidy to players who win at the district and provincial level.