bunkered
Head Pro
Alot of the bigger clubs in Fife use mats at certain times in the winter. St Andrews, Ladybank, Leven, Lundin Links, i think it was Scotscraig that started this a few years ago.
fairway mats
- Thread starter slicedagain
- Start date
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
At the moment we have mats to tee-off on the par 3's only.
Last club I was at had mats from Nov 1st to March 31st on every tee - regardless of conditions!
Out tees are reasonably large and they just make the teeing area quite small and move it about every couple of days.
Can't think that I'd enjoy hitting every shot off a mat - that's what ranges are for innit?
Last club I was at had mats from Nov 1st to March 31st on every tee - regardless of conditions!
Out tees are reasonably large and they just make the teeing area quite small and move it about every couple of days.
Can't think that I'd enjoy hitting every shot off a mat - that's what ranges are for innit?
RichE
Club Champion
In my opinion they spoil any game of golf and i dislike using them. If they do need to be used they should only be used on 9 hole courses.
Split_Fairway
Assistant Pro
we have them on the par 3s as well. though i always avoid using them when no-one is looking
Owen_Thomas_14
Journeyman Pro
We have them in place to but i hate them so i just drop ball in rough, the greens are always soft enough to stop the ball anyway.
tebbs19
Hacker
Hi, I played one course where mats were forced upon you when playing from the fairway... Ended up aiming for the rough to get a better game.. Whats wrong with playing prefered lies? If the course can't handle it then it should be closed.
andiritchie
Journeyman Pro
We dont have good well drained turf
Its something we have to got on with
Swings and round abouts
Its something we have to got on with
Swings and round abouts
DCB
Well-known member
Some interesting responses on this post. IMO if you want to play golf on an inland course during the winter, there normally has to be compromises. Fairway mats or moving to the first cut of rough seem to be most favoured methods in use at the moment.
A question to those who don't like to use them and in some cases appear not to use them when no-one is looking, are you playing at a private club or is it a pay & play.
If it's a private club, have you voiced your concerns over the use of fairway mats in the winter to the committee ? If it's pay & play have you complained to the operating body ?
Seems to me there are some rather self centred players out there only thinking of their own good and not the greater good of all players / members at a course/club.
A question to those who don't like to use them and in some cases appear not to use them when no-one is looking, are you playing at a private club or is it a pay & play.
If it's a private club, have you voiced your concerns over the use of fairway mats in the winter to the committee ? If it's pay & play have you complained to the operating body ?
Seems to me there are some rather self centred players out there only thinking of their own good and not the greater good of all players / members at a course/club.
And would your track close if they didn't use plastic DCB??
Surely you were getting a bit carried away in saying that?
Surely you were getting a bit carried away in saying that?
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
I have to say I think my club has it pretty spot on at the moment. We have reasonably sized tee boxes but make sure they are moved around every other day and so there is no significant wear and tear and not a mat in sight. We currently take two or three greens per week out of action from Monday-Friday (use temps) on a rotational basis to allow them to rest. We seem to be doing pretty well despite the back nine being lower lying and more waterlogged than the front. I know they have closed the back a couple of times to protect it but in general despite the exceptional rainfall in November it is coping alright and we are playing off fairways to full greens in all competitions
DCB
Well-known member
Dodger,
We're currently undergoing some serious drainage works on 4 holes. Not a good advert for winter golf at the moment. Hopefully this will improve things in future years although a rolling programme of further drainage works may lead to another couple of winter seasons like this one.
We've tried mats and dropping in the first cut, both have pluses and minuses. With some low lying ground and poor drainage it can be a nighmatre at times. A lot of guys play down the coast at this time of year for this very reason. Ask J.A. what it's like next time you see him. probably one of the reasons he moved down the coast. His last place Prestonfield seemed to be wet all year round mind you
IMO winter golf is about getting out and having a good time. We don't play qualifying comps over the winter so it is more social golf thats played than serious golf.
You guys on the coast have a far better chance of playing "proper" golf than we do at this time of year.
We're currently undergoing some serious drainage works on 4 holes. Not a good advert for winter golf at the moment. Hopefully this will improve things in future years although a rolling programme of further drainage works may lead to another couple of winter seasons like this one.
We've tried mats and dropping in the first cut, both have pluses and minuses. With some low lying ground and poor drainage it can be a nighmatre at times. A lot of guys play down the coast at this time of year for this very reason. Ask J.A. what it's like next time you see him. probably one of the reasons he moved down the coast. His last place Prestonfield seemed to be wet all year round mind you
IMO winter golf is about getting out and having a good time. We don't play qualifying comps over the winter so it is more social golf thats played than serious golf.
You guys on the coast have a far better chance of playing "proper" golf than we do at this time of year.
Aye we don't know how lucky we are to be able to play on turf like ours.
Think J.A.maybe shifts down the coast due to his 'cheap' membership.
Think J.A.maybe shifts down the coast due to his 'cheap' membership.
DCB
Well-known member
Think he moved there before that opportunity came along. Still comes back to show us how it's done now and again
He won our Championship, last season, beating one of the new young guns in the final. Probably got a win in each of the last three or four decades now.
He won our Championship, last season, beating one of the new young guns in the final. Probably got a win in each of the last three or four decades now.
DCB
Well-known member
He must be older than he looks then
Won in every one of of the last 4 decades as he told me ..again and again and again...
greensman
Club Champion
Hello all, I want to place a greenkeeping perspective on this one. Every course is different, some recover from winter play quickly and some don’t. Some are very busy during the winter and some are not, sometimes (for the good of summer / tournament golf) your course may require more protection than others.
Those who protect the course during the wet winter months will see the benefits during the spring / summer and those who don’t…won’t. It would be nice to put the onus on the ‘member’ to decide, but sadly some members don’t appreciate the difficult situation and some can be selfish.
In my humble opinion, golf has become an all year round sport (thanks to the developments in waterproof clothing). And by working towards producing drier firmer surfaces and courses the opportunity to play all year increases. However the grass still doesn’t grow in winter so if you are at a course that feels protection is necessary I feel it must be necessary.
I am lucky in that we have invested in drainage and my course recovers very quickly during the spring. However, even we suffer during the summer with the walk off walk on areas wearing out., and yes those members who have played all year, with no trolley restrictions and open in all weathers have created the problem, yet they still complain. It’s a no win situation for the greenkeeper, protect the course and members complain… don’t protect and in the spring members complain.
Those who protect the course during the wet winter months will see the benefits during the spring / summer and those who don’t…won’t. It would be nice to put the onus on the ‘member’ to decide, but sadly some members don’t appreciate the difficult situation and some can be selfish.
In my humble opinion, golf has become an all year round sport (thanks to the developments in waterproof clothing). And by working towards producing drier firmer surfaces and courses the opportunity to play all year increases. However the grass still doesn’t grow in winter so if you are at a course that feels protection is necessary I feel it must be necessary.
I am lucky in that we have invested in drainage and my course recovers very quickly during the spring. However, even we suffer during the summer with the walk off walk on areas wearing out., and yes those members who have played all year, with no trolley restrictions and open in all weathers have created the problem, yet they still complain. It’s a no win situation for the greenkeeper, protect the course and members complain… don’t protect and in the spring members complain.
DCB
Well-known member
Thanks for the insight Greensman.
Like most things you (green keepers) have to do to keep a course in good condition, you're on the receiving end of the members moans. You must love the job and have a skin like a rhino to cope with all that.
Like most things you (green keepers) have to do to keep a course in good condition, you're on the receiving end of the members moans. You must love the job and have a skin like a rhino to cope with all that.
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
Greensman
As always fascinatng to see it from your side of the fence. My club is very much in the recover quickly in Spring and then suffer walk off damage come the summer. It is an issue that became very apparent on a number of holes last summer and which I know is already being discussed by the committee to ensure the sides of greens aren't damaged irreprably and that some tee areas are given more protection
As always fascinatng to see it from your side of the fence. My club is very much in the recover quickly in Spring and then suffer walk off damage come the summer. It is an issue that became very apparent on a number of holes last summer and which I know is already being discussed by the committee to ensure the sides of greens aren't damaged irreprably and that some tee areas are given more protection
didsbury_duffer
Challenge Tour Pro
Can understand why some clubs ask for them to be used, but I much prefer the placing in the first cut of rough option. It saves damage to the fairways, but also allows you to play off grass. Luckily we don't use mats, because I can't imagine having to lug one around for 18 holes.
Jigger
Club Champion
I was annoyed my course was closed this weekend after a week of rain. Post like this make me realise why I pay £865 a year. No winter greens, generally great drainage and a handfull of winte tee boxes unless it's a league match where noraml tees are used.= alloying handicap changes to come into affect.
