How do I measure a close end?

You must measure any disputed shot using suitable measuring equipment (law 43.2.2). Key points from the laws:

• When: the process of deciding the shots must not start until the last bowl of the end has come to rest. Either skip (or the Singles opponent) can ask for a 30-second wait first, for example to see whether a leaning bowl falls of its own accord. No bowl likely to fall may be secured during that period (law 23.1 and 23.2).
• Before measuring: no bowl is moved until the opponents have agreed whether it is a shot, except where a bowl must be moved so another can be measured (law 22.2).
• Where to measure: between the nearest points of the jack and the bowl (law 23.4).
• Jack or bowl in the ditch: when measuring between a jack in the ditch and a bowl on the green, or a jack on the green and a bowl in the ditch, use a flexible or string measure wherever possible (law 23.5).
• Leaning bowls: if a bowl is likely to fall, the best available means can be used to secure it. If a bowl to be measured is resting on another bowl that interferes, secure the resting bowl and then remove the other (law 23.6).
• If you displace the jack or a bowl with your equipment: you must put it back to its former position (laws 37.4.3 and 38.4.3).
• Tied end: if the nearest bowl of each side is touching the jack, or the same distance from it, or no live bowls are left in the rink, no shot is scored and the end is declared tied and recorded as a completed end (law 24).