Maintaining a high-quality bowling green requires attention to every detail, including the condition and appearance of the ditches surrounding the green. Properly installed and maintained bowling green ditches not only ensure the rules of the game are met. but also help keep greens safe, organised and professional in appearance. By using the right equipment and installation methods, clubs and groundsmen can ensure their facilities meet competition standards while remaining easier to maintain throughout the season.
From installation to ongoing maintenance, understanding how to correctly mark and maintain the ditch area is essential for any well-managed green.
The Role of Ditch Markers
Clear visual guidance is vital around the perimeter of the green, and this is where bowling green ditch markers and dividers come into play. These Markers / Numbers help identify rink positions and boundaries and assist players in judging the position of bowls within the green.
Well-placed bowling green ditch markers also improve the organisation of competitive matches, ensuring each rink is clearly defined for both players and officials. Consistency is key, as markers should be positioned accurately and maintained regularly to remain visible throughout the playing season.
The use of our 2m and 25m red distance markers along the sides of the green, and our 50mm coloured disc markers used at the ends of the green, provides clear and easy information to players during the game.
Available in a wide range of Velcro or bracketed designs, including bespoke designs and sizes, our ditch markers and dividers should fit all designs of ditches and banks.
Installing Reliable Ditch Channels
When installing or refurbishing bowling green ditches, durability should be the main priority. Over time, weather conditions and repeated use can cause deterioration if the correct materials are not used.
Modern bowls ditch channel units are designed to form a strong barrier between the green and the surroundings, helping to contain the woods within the green and preventing them from hitting players while protecting the woods themselves from damage in the process. They help support and prevent soil erosion and damage caused to the inner green edge by players entering and exiting the green. They also fulfil a secondary function as helping with surface water drainage after heavy downpours or wet winters.
According to “the laws of the sport of bowls” they need to provide a height of at least 230mm (9”) above the green surface as well as providing a ditch depth between 50mm (2”) min and 200mm (8”) max, and a ditch width of min 200mm (8”) and max 380mm (15”).
They also need to provide a safe means of players entering and exiting play and provide a smart professional finish that enhances the overall look of the green. Proper installation also helps to ensure the above rules are met and provides a consistent ditch height, which is important for competitive play.
Sportsmark has long been recognised as the UK’s leading supplier of bowls equipment, providing ditch channels, artificial grass, ditch liners and other essential accessories that help clubs maintain high standards across their facilities.
Bowling Green Ditch Protection and Liners
Once you have a legal and effective ditch channel, you need to provide legally compliant and effective bowls protection to all faces.
The rules state the ditch and its facings must be non-damaging to the woods and jack.
The best way to achieve this is to install a tough and durable artificial grass such as our “Ditch face Curl “ to the vertical face, to absorb the impact of the woods.
At the bottom of the ditch, as well as being non-damaging, there is an additional requirement that the ditch shall provide a holding surface. This is to hold the woods and jacks in a location near where they drop into the ditch and prevent them rolling along it. This is where the ditch liners are required, such as our Hedgehog, Jubilee, or Dimple liners. As well as providing protection and a holding surface for the woods, they are also easy to remove and clean and allow the base of the ditch to be easily cleaned as well.
Maintaining Your Bowling Green Ditches
Regular inspection is recommended to ensure bowling green ditches remain in good condition. Groundsmen should check liners, markers, and surrounding turf for signs of wear or movement, particularly after periods of heavy rain or frequent use.
Keeping the ditch area clean and well-maintained helps preserve the structure of the green and supports the longevity of the installed equipment. Over time, upgrading older materials with modern bowls ditch liners and updated markers can significantly improve both durability and appearance.
Improve Your Bowling Green with Expert Equipment
With more than 60 years of experience supplying sports facilities across the UK, we understand the importance of reliable equipment for bowls clubs and sports grounds. From bowls ditch liners to markers and complete ditch systems, we supply high-quality solutions designed to keep bowling greens safe, professional and built to last.
If you are planning to build or refurbish a bowling green, contact us at Sportsmark Group Ltd today to discuss the right equipment for your facility. Our team is ready to help you create a bowling green that meets the highest standards of performance and presentation.
