Fairway mats

[Bunkermagnet]

Club will be introducing fairway mats this winter whilst the fairways recover.

Having never used them , what do I need to know.

They are supplying mats but is it worth getting my own and which one ?

This will be our third winter using mats. The difference come the spring is noticeable.
The club supply the cheap plastic ones with long blades, but so many buy a Spurk, as a) they last longer and wear better and b) you get a better ball/club/mat interaction with them.

 

[Slime]

Are fairway mats permissable for handicap purposes?

 

[KenL]

Are fairway mats permissable for handicap purposes?

Yes, but only from the fairway.
I say that as we are told to use the mats from semi-rough also unless putting in a score.

 

[rudebhoy]

It sounds a bit counter intuitive, but I struggle to hit well off a mat. I’ve tried a few, and have a Spurk, but I tend to hit a lot of bad shots. As a consequence, I prefer to move the ball to the semi where we can play it off the deck.

Part of the problem is that I can’t do my normal pre-shot routine which is two practice swings, brushing the grass, then hitting.

I’m sure it’s as much a mental thing as anything.

I’m determined to master the mat this winter. Out of interest, what’s the best ball position on the Spurk, front, middle or back?

 

[spongebob59]

Couple more questions:

How are they policed?
I can see quite a few of the more stubborn not using them ( the sort that ignore the roped off areas during winter).

Does the ground need to soft?
Looks like they need to be pushed into the fairway

 

[upsidedown]

It sounds a bit counter intuitive, but I struggle to hit well off a mat. I’ve tried a few, and have a Spurk, but I tend to hit a lot of bad shots. As a consequence, I prefer to move the ball to the semi where we can play it off the deck.

Part of the problem is that I can’t do my normal pre-shot routine which is two practice swings, brushing the grass, then hitting.

I’m sure it’s as much a mental thing as anything.

I’m determined to master the mat this winter. Out of interest, what’s the best ball position on the Spurk, front, middle or back?

Do your practice swings before you put the ball on the mat? I use the little dimple for my ball

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Couple more questions:

How are they policed?
I can see quite a few of the more stubborn not using them ( the sort that ignore the roped off areas during winter).

Does the ground need to soft?
Looks like they need to be pushed into the fairway

It's self policing. Some people just won't use a mat or move to the side. They think it's their right to hit off the fairway, ignore the club. You then have a decision to make if you see it or play with people like this

Not soft. The mats sit on top of the ground. If the ground is bone hard it will just sit a little higher.

I'm with @rudebhoy in that I struggled with mats. It's knowing the ball is a little higher, I try to pick the ball off the surf. I couldn't force myself to hit lower. Thankfully, my current club doesn't require mats.

 

[Golfnut1957]

Couple more questions:

How are they policed?
I can see quite a few of the more stubborn not using them ( the sort that ignore the roped off areas during winter).

Does the ground need to soft?
Looks like they need to be pushed into the fairway

It can only be policed by those in the area. I had a pop last winter at someone who thought he was special.

The Spurks only flaw that I can see is frozen ground. As you say the little legs need to be pushed in the ground, with bell iron it's impossible the mat just sits on the top, at which point the bed can now flex when the club contacts it, not good. I have a bog-standard mat for these occasions.

 

[rudebhoy]

It's self policing. Some people just won't use a mat or move to the side. They think it's their right to hit off the fairway, ignore the club. You then have a decision to make if you see it or play with people like this

Not soft. The mats sit on top of the ground. If the ground is bone hard it will just sit a little higher.

I'm with @rudebhoy in that I struggled with mats. It's knowing the ball is a little higher, I try to pick the ball off the surf. I couldn't force myself to hit lower. Thankfully, my current club doesn't require mats.

What really gets me is the number of folk who say hitting off a mat is so easy, it’s like cheating. It’s the polar opposite for me!

 

[KenL]

Couple more questions:

How are they policed?
I can see quite a few of the more stubborn not using them ( the sort that ignore the roped off areas during winter).

Does the ground need to soft?
Looks like they need to be pushed into the fairway

I just hit the ball the same as normal with my spurk mat.
Worst aspect of the mat is the increase in spin, a downer into the wind.

 

[Yorkhacker]

I'm in the Mandofred camp. I have a short pile Spurk mat and I don't use it anymore.
I found it to be too solid and sit too high above the ground when I made a bad contact, which was often. As mentioned its not great on frozen fairways either.

I much prefer the carpet tile mats as they're softer and lower and can be pegged to the ground to stop them flying off. They give me more confidence to hit the ball harder too.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Couple more questions:

How are they policed?
I can see quite a few of the more stubborn not using them ( the sort that ignore the roped off areas during winter).

Does the ground need to soft?
Looks like they need to be pushed into the fairway

If it's mandatory mats, and you are seen/found not using a mat you are banned from playing. The evidence is obvious.

 

[D-S]

Are fairway mats permissable for handicap purposes?

Yes, but only from the fairway.
I say that as we are told to use the mats from semi-rough also unless putting in a score.

Also mats must be compulsory on areas cut to fairway height for scores to be acceptable. Scores are not acceptable if mats are optional.

 

[louise_a]

I use the ones in the video, they are cheap and do curl if you arent careful though.

 

[Voyager EMH]

We introduced them last year on a voluntary basis. Got a Spurk with pro-shop credit.
I had an open mind and not sure whether I would take to it.

Took to it straight away. Don't need to clean the irons much after each shot.
Also a very cheeky alignment aid.

Nice little lauchpad from just off the green to use the putter - another benefit.

I keep it in a plastic bag that I turn inside out for each use - rather like treating the mat as a dog-poo. Keeps the inside of the golf bag clean.

 

[Robin Hood]

I’ve tried several types and for me it’s the spurk I prefer to use.

The only irritant I have is that I sometimes used to forget to pick it up. It was so hard to find again !!
I attached a white practice ball to the mat as a visual aid to remember to pick it up.
I know - a senior thing to do.
At least I don’t tie my tees together with a piece of string (yet !!)

 

[Mandofred]

One of the advantages to me of using the "cheap" plastic mats....(especially for those who don't like the ball sitting up, which I don't really understand since the ball is slightly above/lower than foot level a lot on a golf course so you should be used to it) is that when I turn it over (grass side down) I just step on it and shazam!, the flat side is at ground level. The downside....that grass side of the mat gets pretty dirty since I've forced it into the ground a bit. I have absolutely nothing against the Spurks.....I think they are a good product. Although if I were carrying my bag....which happens at times in the winter.....the plastic mat doesn't weigh much of anything which is a good thing.

 

[Voyager EMH]

I’ve tried several types and for me it’s the spurk I prefer to use.

The only irritant I have is that I sometimes used to forget to pick it up. It was so hard to find again !!
I attached a white practice ball to the mat as a visual aid to remember to pick it up.
I know - a senior thing to do.
At least I don’t tie my tees together with a piece of string (yet !!)

You don't have to tie your tees together.

They come ready tied. Or so I have been told.

 

[Mandofred]

I use the ones in the video, they are cheap and do curl if you arent careful though.

Yeah, when mine starts to curl up I just grab it and give it good bend in the other direction....fixes the curl for a while.

 

[NearHull]

We introduced them last year on a voluntary basis. Got a Spurk with pro-shop credit.
I had an open mind and not sure whether I would take to it.

Took to it straight away. Don't need to clean the irons much after each shot.
Also a very cheeky alignment aid.

Nice little lauchpad from just off the green to use the putter - another benefit.

I keep it in a plastic bag that I turn inside out for each use - rather like treating the mat as a dog-poo. Keeps the inside of the golf bag clean.

From Rules of Golf

Compulsory Use of Fairway Mats
Purpose. It may be necessary to protect parts of the course from damage during play, such as when prolonged periods of cold weather are limiting the amount of grass growth. When this is the case, a Committee may decide to require the use of mats on parts of the general area cut to fairway height or less, when a putter is not being used for the stroke.