During the winter season we play all our bowls on the Dales carpet green. At that time of the year on sunny days the sun is low on the western horizon by about 3 pm which makes visibility a bit tricky when playing into the sun. Each year members ask “Why can’t we play North to South at that time of the year to overcome that problem?” Recently our Greens Superintendent suggested that we play from North to South for the last game of the day but on seeking advice decided against it.
So why should we play only in one direction? What are the factors involved?
- When the green was constructed and the carpet laid it was after consultation with the manufacturers and contractors. It was laid to match the predominant direction of play. This is determined by the prevailing wind. In Levin the prevailing wind in the mornings is from the north east and in the afternoon from the northwest. Direct northerlies and southerlies are rare. So basically we play up and down the direction of the wind, rather than across the wind. This means that generally both hands draw about the same amount rather than having a wide hand and a narrow hand.
- The direction of play is across the seams in the carpet rather than along the seams. On the rare occasions we have played north to south the seams have produced some unusual effects on the bowls.
- The main reason Dales recommend playing in one direction is to preserve the running surface on the ditch hand of the two end rinks. This is the really the only place where damage to the surface can occur, either when players drop bowls from the bank onto the green, or dump their bowls during delivery. If we play north to south then any such damage would occur on the ditch hands of rinks 1 and 8 when playing east west.
- Damage to the base under the carpet is difficult to fix. To repair dents the carpet would have to rolled back several metres to re-level the base – an expensive exercise. (We play both directions on the cotula green to even out the wear and because any surface damage is easily repaired.)
- Our policy is identical to that of other clubs who have Dales carpet greens. Waikanae and Paraparaumu Beach only play in one direction on their Dales greens. Other clubs such as Kapiti, Raumati South and Takaro play in one direction on their greens though they play on Tiger Turf or Astrograss greens.
Our Dales green has now been in use for six seasons without any noticeable damage apart from the odd section of the stainless steel thread coming loose at the seams. It is well maintained with vacuuming and spraying and has been a major factor in the recent growth in our membership. We don’t know how long the carpet it will last – perhaps 15 to 20 years and then it may be able to be turned over and the other surface used.
In general the frost at the northern end on cold mornings is a bigger hazard than the afternoon sun. So if the late afternoon sun is a problem for you think about wearing a hat, cap or sunshade or sunglasses.
Ken Hayward