Fairway mats

[clubchamp98]

Model Local Rule E12 outlines the use of fairway mats, and whilst it does not specifically state that mats cannot be folded in the manner described, it does say that if a tee is used to secure the mat to the ground, the ball cannot be placed on it. That would IMPLY that a mat cannot be used to tee the ball up, although that is only how I have interpreted it.

This really is one for either the rules experts here, or for your club to resolve. I imagine that the use of mats was accompanied by a local rule?

Regardless, my common sense view has to be that the use of a mat in this manner, irrespective of ruling, has to be some sort of breach of etiquette at the very least. It’s just not right.

Yes I think if mats are going to be allowed in comps or GP cards the rules need updating
What you can and can’t do.

 

[Billysboots]

Is it possible to ask the R&A?

I would guess (and I stress this is a guess, before any rules expert shoots me down in flames ), that the R & A will merely direct anyone to Model Local Rule E12, and say it is then down to individual clubs to set out their own local rule based upon it.

 

[2blue]

Thoughts on this please.
I played a Winter comp this year where fairway mats were compulsory, I reached the final against a player that used a folded over soft mat as well as a normal mat, the folded mat was used for driver use on the fairway as held the ball at driver tee height with the ball placed at the back, so a par 5 was two hits of the driver and one putt for an eagle which would be no way possible without mat use. He said there are no rules covering this, if not there needs to be but even so I don't think this is in the spirit of the game.

His use of a mat in the way you describe does not comply with Model Local Rule E-12 so would incur a General Penalty for doing so.... 'teeing up'. Your Club needs to advise him

 

[IanM]

Not using the mat as designed is effectively teeing it up. Even if he's not using a tee. That's why the cheating scumbag is carrying two mats.

I wonder what your competition committee have to say on the subject?

He did all winter as no one challenged it.

Where's the @rulie @Steven Rules etc gang when you need them?

 

[Golfnut1957]

Thoughts on this please.
I played a Winter comp this year where fairway mats were compulsory, I reached the final against a player that used a folded over soft mat as well as a normal mat, the folded mat was used for driver use on the fairway as held the ball at driver tee height with the ball placed at the back, so a par 5 was two hits of the driver and one putt for an eagle which would be no way possible without mat use. He said there are no rules covering this, if not there needs to be but even so I don't think this is in the spirit of the game.

I don't recall how they went about it, but my club banned the practice of teeing up by using the actual mat. I'll see if I can find the ruling.

 

[Tashyboy]

Thoughts on this please.
I played a Winter comp this year where fairway mats were compulsory, I reached the final against a player that used a folded over soft mat as well as a normal mat, the folded mat was used for driver use on the fairway as held the ball at driver tee height with the ball placed at the back, so a par 5 was two hits of the driver and one putt for an eagle which would be no way possible without mat use. He said there are no rules covering this, if not there needs to be but even so I don't think this is in the spirit of the game.

This is exactly what I was on about on a previous post. It’s time that the powers that be sat down and put it in black and white how a fairway mat should be used. I have said this before that at times the mats are used in a way that is tantamount to cheating.

 

[rulie]

This is exactly what I was on about on a previous post. It’s time that the powers that be sat down and put it in black and white how a fairway mat should be used. I have said this before that at times the mats are used in a way that is tantamount to cheating.

Imo, the "powers that be" are the local Committees. Rule 1 (play by the Rules and the spirit of the game), Rule 4.3a (Prohibited uses of equipment - must not create a potential advantage) provide the local Committee with all the authority that is needed. They just need to act.

 

[IanM]

Not sure why additional clarification is needed.

You have a mat. You place it on the ground. Any additional manipulation to gain an advantage is cheating.

 

[Magcargo]

Dimensions need to come into any new rulings, you can tee a ball on the edge of some/possibly most.

Fortunately only been forced to use them once, but then again maybe they need to be a little more common given the state of some fairways I've seen the last few months.

 

[clubchamp98]

Dimensions need to come into any new rulings, you can tee a ball on the edge of some/possibly most.

Fortunately only been forced to use them once, but then again maybe they need to be a little more common given the state of some fairways I've seen the last few months.

First year using mats and they do protect the course.
Ours looks very good atm.

 

[Magcargo]

Having started playing in October, I signed up to a place that makes a big point of not using mats or winter greens. Although this makes for better winter golf, the fairways and greens are pretty cut up now. Elsewhere, some places I've been to that have used mats and temp greens are a world apart. I know it sounds obvious on paper but it's a big resort/chain that owns where I play - I thought the maintenance budgets would have offset no mats or temp greens, but seemingly not.

 

[Billysboots]

Not sure why additional clarification is needed.

You have a mat. You place it on the ground. Any additional manipulation to gain an advantage is cheating.

I think we’re all agreed there. But when someone claims there’s no rule preventing their actions, merely saying that there is is almost always insufficient.

They will ask which rule is being breached.

 

[IanM]

You're right, but you can't specifically mention everything. The point Rulie makes above re 1 and 4.3 is good enough for me.

The guy knows what he's doing. He's smuggly cheating because he's been allowed to.

There's no specific Rule of Golf about weeing on the green, but it doesnt mean you should.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

You're right, but you can't specifically mention everything. The point Rulie makes above re 1 and 4.3 is good enough for me.

The guy knows what he's doing. He's smuggly cheating because he's been allowed to.

There's no specific Rule of Golf about weeing on the green, but it doesnt mean you should.

In my mind, if the item in question is not being use as intended, it's against the rules. What suprises me is that no one seems to have questioned this at the club concerned.......if it did that is

 

[Flashheart8]

In my mind, if the item in question is not being use as intended, it's against the rules. What suprises me is that no one seems to have questioned this at the club concerned.......if it did that is

I would imagine this went undetected for most of the Winter, I only noticed as my ball was next to his but apparently he used it twice on previous holes that round. As far as I know the club aren't aware but I'll remedy that, at least to stop it next year.
For clarity no Tee was used to secure to the ground, the mat was a soft material folded in half (glued I assume).

 

[IanM]

Yep. Cheating scumbag!

 

[PaulMdj]

This is part of our local rule:
Highlighted the important bit.


Place the ball on the mat, in the middle, not on an edge.

If the ball rolls off the mat, place it back on the mat without penalty.

If the ball continues to roll off, move the mat to the nearest spot where the ball will stay on the mat. This new spot must not be closer to the hole.

The only exception to this is when you are using a putter in and around the green, in this instance you may choose not to us the mat.

Curling or bending the mat to create a "tee" is considered an attempt to gain an unfair advantage and is prohibited by local rules.

Rules of golf: This action is against the spirit of the rules, which state you should play the ball as it lies, even with winter rules allowing the use of mats.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

IMO the best solution is to make the course unacceptable for HC when using mats

 

[PaulMdj]

IMO the best solution is to make the course unacceptable for HC when using mats

Why? We’ve used them for the past few years and had no problems.

 

[NearHull]

This is part of our local rule:
Highlighted the important bit.


Place the ball on the mat, in the middle, not on an edge.

If the ball rolls off the mat, place it back on the mat without penalty.

If the ball continues to roll off, move the mat to the nearest spot where the ball will stay on the mat. This new spot must not be closer to the hole.

The only exception to this is when you are using a putter in and around the green, in this instance you may choose not to us the mat.

Curling or bending the mat to create a "tee" is considered an attempt to gain an unfair advantage and is prohibited by local rules.

Rules of golf: This action is against the spirit of the rules, which state you should play the ball as it lies, even with winter rules allowing the use of mats.

I clarified the wording of the use of a putter on a mat with EG. You cannot use a putter on a mat - it isn’t a choice, the interpretation made by this Committee is incorrect.