Rink Moving
It is favoured on the majority of greens to have a system of colours to indicate rink positions that are moved regularly to ensure even play across the green.
First of all establish the centre of the green using a tape measure. If going east to west, measurement must start at the left hand side of the green both near and far ends. Mark the centre with a red enamel paint line 75mm long on the edge of the bank section. Then proceed to measure from that line to establish three rinks to the right and three rinks to the left, leaving a minimum of 600mm each side between both outside rinks and the edges of the green. This minimum width will vary according to the size of the green and the chosen width of your rinks.
Once the rink positions are established, also mark them with a short red line. The centre of each rink position will be marked with a red dot to indicate where the rink numbers will be situated.
From these coloured marks further rink positions can be introduced by measuring say 300mm from the first red line, perhaps with a blue line and then 300mm from the red dot and so on, always taking the measurements from the left hand side of the green.
Up to seven colours can be used subject to the width of your green to enable maximum use and even wear over the whole surface. This procedure must then be repeated on the north and south edges again starting from the left hand side at both ends after centering up.
Alternatively when six rinks are not required the rink positions can be changed ‘between rinks’. For instance, number one rink could start on the red dot and the number would be on the red line. The rink divider would also fall on the next dot and this would allow five rinks on previously unplayed grass with the colours giving further alternative moves across the green, so spreading the wear.
Further marks will be required in line of play:
• Minimum distance of the jack or alley permissible – 25m from the ditch, mark up in blue and repeat this measurement NSE & W.
• Minimum distance from outside rink to edge of green – 600mm – mark with any colour.
• Rink widths – maximum 5.8m minimum, 5.5m for normal games and maximum 5.8 minimum, 4.3m for domestic games.
First of all establish the centre of the green using a tape measure. If going east to west, measurement must start at the left hand side of the green both near and far ends. Mark the centre with a red enamel paint line 75mm long on the edge of the bank section. Then proceed to measure from that line to establish three rinks to the right and three rinks to the left, leaving a minimum of 600mm each side between both outside rinks and the edges of the green. This minimum width will vary according to the size of the green and the chosen width of your rinks.
Once the rink positions are established, also mark them with a short red line. The centre of each rink position will be marked with a red dot to indicate where the rink numbers will be situated.
From these coloured marks further rink positions can be introduced by measuring say 300mm from the first red line, perhaps with a blue line and then 300mm from the red dot and so on, always taking the measurements from the left hand side of the green.
Up to seven colours can be used subject to the width of your green to enable maximum use and even wear over the whole surface. This procedure must then be repeated on the north and south edges again starting from the left hand side at both ends after centering up.
Alternatively when six rinks are not required the rink positions can be changed ‘between rinks’. For instance, number one rink could start on the red dot and the number would be on the red line. The rink divider would also fall on the next dot and this would allow five rinks on previously unplayed grass with the colours giving further alternative moves across the green, so spreading the wear.
Further marks will be required in line of play:
• Minimum distance of the jack or alley permissible – 25m from the ditch, mark up in blue and repeat this measurement NSE & W.
• Minimum distance from outside rink to edge of green – 600mm – mark with any colour.
• Rink widths – maximum 5.8m minimum, 5.5m for normal games and maximum 5.8 minimum, 4.3m for domestic games.
Acknowledgements to Dave Bracey for this article