Bowling Greens

Introduction

I've introduced this topic to the latest edition of my site for two reasons: firstly, to provide information, albeit limited, for those visitors who are involved with greenkeeping; and secondly, for the sake of 'completeness' in the broader subject of 'books on bowls'.

I have to admit that my interest in books on bowling greens is minimal and doesn't extend to collecting them. However, my research into bowls books has inevitably led to the discovery of a few relevant titles, and so far I've found seven books (one an ebook) and one video that deal exclusively with bowling greens and these are listed below. There are perhaps a dozen or more books that include sections on bowling greens as part of a more general work.

A number of websites well worth bookmarking include:

• Bowls England offers practical assistance to clubs through its Greens Maintenance Advisory Service, and although its website appears to provide no information on the scheme, details are available in its Year Book. Somewhat hidden in the website is an enlightening set of notes on 'Contracts for Greens Maintenance'. To reach the document, which requires installation of the free Adobe Reader program, follow this sequence: Click Original EBA Home Page > Click 'News and Useful Documents' > Click 'News from Bowls England' and scroll down.
  
  
• Greenkeepers Corner is part of the extensive Lawn Bowls Forum at Julian Haines Bowls very professional site.
  
  
• Green Thumb is a similar forum at BowlsWorld.com.au, 'Australia's first true one stop online lawn bowls shop'.
  
  
• The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), in conjunction with the English Bowling Association (EBA), has developed a structured three-tier training programme for the development of bowling greenkeeper skills. The programme provides a solid foundation for greenkeepers to prepare and maintain a better playing surface. A course on levelling a bowling green is also available.
  
  
• Pitchcare.com is the interactive online magazine for the grounds and greenkeeping industry. Free subscription provides access to hundreds of articles on bowling greens.
  
  
• Sisis have been designing and manufacturing turf maintenance machinery since 1932 and their site provides an article giving year-round maintenance tips from an authority on the maintenance of flat and crown greens.
  
  
• The Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) is the independent market leader in turfgrass research and agronomy. It is the UK's national centre for consultancy in sports and amenity turf and a recognised world centre for research.

	Title  (Click title below)	Author, Compiler, etc
Books	Annual Maintenance of the Bowling Green	IOG and EBA
	Bowling Greens	William Howell
	Bowling Greens - Their History, Construction and Maintenance	Roger D C Evans
	Construction of the Lawn Bowling Green, The	Edgar R Haley
	Green Manual - The Construction of Bowling Greens and their Maintenance, The	W D Powell
	Maintenance of the Lawn Bowling Green, The	Edgar R Haley
	EBA Professional Programme for the Care of Bowling Greens	EBA Greens Maintenance Scheme
Video	Bowling Green Maintenance Video, The	STRI