Thanks Jim F.
Hi Jim.
Thank you for your question. Mowing your green up and down the way you are bowling is not a good practice. Once in a while it does not matter, but if you cut them up and down all the time it will create not only ruts but also the grass will be laying down a certain way that will cause a friction. Most golf courses will use the clock system from 1 to 7, from 2 to 8 etc. to avoid mowing the same way all the time.
Most bowling greens are cut from corner to corner, alternating direction every time they cut. This way the grass doesn’t have a chance to grow a certain way. Cutting, rolling and verticutting should be done from corner to corner.
Hope this helps.
Charles Roach