Two bowls look level with the jack. One player leans left, another leans right, and suddenly a quiet end has an audience. This is exactly when a calm measuring routine matters.
The basic principle is simple: compare the shortest distance between the nearest point of the jack and the nearest point of each bowl. The difficult part is doing that without moving anything.
When can you measure?
Under the World Bowls Laws, deciding the shots starts only after the last required bowl has come to rest. If a player asks for the permitted 30-second period because a bowl may fall, wait until that period has ended. Measuring early can affect the rest of the end, so never reach for equipment while bowls are still to be played.
A reliable close-head routine
Agree what needs deciding. Confirm which bowls are in contention. Remove only the bowls both sides have already agreed are not involved.
Protect the head. Secure any leaning bowl before measuring. Walk around the head rather than stepping between bowls.
Choose the right tool. A box string measure suits many ordinary distances. Callipers are useful for shorter gaps, feeler gauges for extremely tight spaces, and a long tape for minimum-distance checks.
Work from the open side. Get comfortable, keep your head over the measuring line and avoid casting a shadow across the contact points.
Set the first distance. Measure from the nearest point of the jack to the nearest point of the first bowl. Lock the measure without changing its length.
Compare the second bowl. Move the fixed setting carefully to the other bowl. Never adjust the device while it sits between the jack and a bowl.
Recheck. Return to the first bowl before making the call. A second look catches a surprising number of small handling errors.
Say the result clearly. Identify the shot bowl, agree the count and remove agreed shots without disturbing anything still to be measured.
Where a phone can help
A camera-assisted view is useful when players want to see the same head from above, especially during coaching, social play or a quick first check. WGTS guides the phone over the head, compares the visible bowls and jack, and presents one shared result in seconds.
Technology does not override the Laws, an umpire or competition conditions. Where an official physical measure is required, use it. Think of WGTS as a fast gameplay aid that helps everyone understand the close call before the game moves on.
Make the next close call calmer
Keep this routine in your bowls bag: agree, protect, measure, compare, recheck. For a clear camera-assisted view on the green, download WGTS from the App Store or Google Play.
Rules note: always use the current Laws of the Sport, your national authority's domestic regulations and the event's conditions of play.