Free Bowl - Official Rules

Clubhouse Images

All-terrain balls supplied by the Free Bowl clubhouse will be used for all games. All games will consist of two players in opposition. All games will be played to a score decided by the tournament organizer.

All games will be conducted through a series of frames. Each frame will be comprised of marker placement, followed by two bowls per player, delivered in alternation.

A toss of the coin will initiate each game. The winner of the coin toss may choose either initial control of the marker ball or the choice of the color of balls, with the remainder awarded to the other player. The player with control of the marker ball is the starting player.

The starting player will decide on the first location of play, and will toss the marker into play, thus determining the field of play.

The starting player may re-toss the marker if its final resting position is mutually agreed upon to be inappropriate or inadequate for play. Any dispute in the marker placement must be legitimately supported in accordance with the Free Bowl Code of Conduct.

The first ball is bowled by the player who initially tossed the marker ball. The players will then roll alternately, only after the opposition’s previous roll has come to rest. The player without marker control thus gets the final roll in the frame.

Both players shall deliver each bowl from the approximate position that the marker was initially tossed. All balls will remain in play until the final ball thrown comes to rest. At this time players may approach the balls in play to determine the final score of the given frame.

A player has the option of rolling, tossing, bouncing, or banking balls (marker included) into position. A player also has the option of hitting any ball in play in trying to obtain a point.

SCORING: concluding each frame, one point shall be awarded to each of the balls of the player that are closer to the marker than the closest ball of the opposing player. If necessary, a measuring device may be used to determine the result. The aggregate score shall be kept by both players.

Following a frame of play, the game may continue from the same location, or any other location, decided upon by the player that scored the previous frame. This same player will also gain control of the marker placement for the present frame.

The field of play, as decided by marker placement, may be of any length or proportion within reason. Frames may be played indoors or outdoors, and may alternate between the two, as seen fit. As many frames will be played in order to reach a final score.

Any location of play must, however, be deemed acceptable for play by both players. If such a matter comes into dispute, both players will negotiate the situation in accordance with the Free Bowl Code of Conduct.

It is to the discretion of all players to seek appropriate areas for play, and to be considerate of a space’s incidental occupants and passers-by. Extended delays, interruptions, or interferences to game play caused by Civil Disorder, Acts of God, or Other Unforseen Reasons, shall result in restarting the interrupted frame.

Players with any outstanding disputes with respect to any aspect of these rules shall report the matter to the tournament organizer.

The winning player of each match shall report the match result and score to the Clubhouse.

Championship Match