Mats used as teeing area

[jim8flog]

Is it permissible to have a local rule that requires a player to both stand on and tee off the mat when it is in use even if the mat regardless of its size.

If there is a model local rule or similar can someone please point me to it.

 

[duncan mackie]

I don't think so.

I believe you can define the teeing area to be the mat (which may require a LR as the markers alone may not do that) but you can't require a player to take their stance on it when playing their stroke.

 

[Colin L]

Contrarily, I believe you can. This is our local rule for which I think I got authority, but will have to check to make sure that is the case.

Teeing Areas
Where used, a tee mat defines the teeing area. You must, when starting the hole, stand on it and play from it.
Penalty: General Penalty. In stroke play, proceed under Rule 6.1b(2).

 

[duncan mackie]

Contrarily, I believe you can. This is our local rule for which I think I got authority, but will have to check to make sure that is the case.

Teeing Areas
Where used, a tee mat defines the teeing area. You must, when starting the hole, stand on it and play from it.
Penalty: General Penalty. In stroke play, proceed under Rule 6.1b(2).

I look forward to the confirmation!

Whilst the definition of the teeing area is sometimes changed a little (from 2cl deep) the requirement to stand in a particular place would seem a step too far.

As a LH player I frequently have to stand outside the mat to play from the only useable area on par 3 holes because everyone else stands where I would otherwise play from!

 

[Colin L]

This from Rulefan a while ago:
https://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/threads/winter-tees-and-ropes.84021/

Perhaps he can reference the authority.

My reasoning for requiring the player to stand on the mat was that the mat is there to protect the ground from both divots and member's hoof prints.
The world is built for right handers. You sinister types get a bum deal.

 

[rulefan]

This is the advice re a Local Rule received from the R&A a few years ago.

Winter Tee Mats
Where present, winter tee mats comprise the teeing ground. When starting a hole from a winter tee the player must take his stance on, and play a ball from, the mat.
Penalty for Breach of Local Rule
Match play-Loss of Hole; Stroke Play – Rule 11-4b applies.

 

[Colin L]

You beat me to it. I've just found the email conversation in which that wording was quoted as confirmed by the R&A. The sharp-eyed will notice that Rule 11-4b of a few years ago is now 6.1b(2).

[A "Spotlight" search of a Mac is much more reliable than my memory.]

 

[rulefan]

Colin
I've sent a pm

 

[duncan mackie]

This from Rulefan a while ago:
https://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/threads/winter-tees-and-ropes.84021/

Perhaps he can reference the authority.

My reasoning for requiring the player to stand on the mat was that the mat is there to protect the ground from both divots and member's hoof prints.
The world is built for right handers. You sinister types get a bum deal.

Well there you go....just as well that LR isn't in place at our place!

 

[jim8flog]

This is the advice re a Local Rule received from the R&A a few years ago.

Winter Tee Mats
Where present, winter tee mats comprise the teeing ground. When starting a hole from a winter tee the player must take his stance on, and play a ball from, the mat.
Penalty for Breach of Local Rule
Match play-Loss of Hole; Stroke Play – Rule 11-4b applies.

I knew there was something in the old rules but needed to be sure it has been brought forward in the 2019 rules.

 

[rulefan]

I knew there was something in the old rules but needed to be sure it has been brought forward in the 2019 rules.

I don't think it was ever published in exactly that form as an approved local rule but as a ruling following an enquiry by a fellow referee.

 

[jim8flog]

Thanks for all thoughts. Decision taken to ask the R&A.

I will let you know the outcome.

 

[rulefan]

I have discovered over the weekend a ruling from the R&A I received twelve years ago which predated the relatively recent ruling I posted above.

........the Committee can make it mandatory for a tee shot to be played from the astro-turf mat, however it would not be possible to require the player to stand on the mat.
It is the damage caused by the club as a result of a stroke that is considered to be the problem which causes the damage, rather than the player's stance on the teeing ground.

I have in my notes that the person who made the original ruling was aware of the later ruling (which I didn't receive directly). I understand the last sentence was the issue.

 

[jim8flog]

I have discovered over the weekend a ruling from the R&A I received twelve years ago which predated the relatively recent ruling I posted above.

........the Committee can make it mandatory for a tee shot to be played from the astro-turf mat, however it would not be possible to require the player to stand on the mat.
It is the damage caused by the club as a result of a stroke that is considered to be the problem which causes the damage, rather than the player's stance on the teeing ground.

I have in my notes that the person who made the original ruling was aware of the later ruling (which I didn't receive directly). I understand the last sentence was the issue.

Personally on one in particular of our permanently sited mats I would disagree the last sentence. The grass has been totally worn away to one side of the mat long before the end of winter on this tee. Players always standing in roughly the same area is just as much of a problem on sodden ground.

 

[jim8flog]

I have a ruling from the R&A

Dear Jim,

Thank you for your email regarding a query on the Rules of Golf.

It really depends on how the Committee wish for the mats to be used. If the Committee do not specify how the mats are to be used then players will still have their two club-lengths from the front of the tee markers.

It is permissible to make a Local Rule requiring players to play from tee mats. This is commonplace in winter when club’s wish to protect the teeing area but the same principle could be applied to the teeing areas that are being renovated.

Although a mat may not provide a teeing area that is two club-lengths in depth, the point of using the mat is to protect the teeing area at times when the conditions merit consideration. Allowing the player to stand or play from outside of the mat is really defeating the purpose of using the mat in the first place. As a result, it would be recommended that the Committee clarify by Local Rule that the mats must be used.

The recommended wording for such a Local Rule is as follows:

" Tee Mats.

Where present, tee mats comprise the teeing area. When starting a hole from a tee mat the player must stand and play a ball from the mat.

Penalty for Breach of Local Rule: Match play - Loss of hole; Stroke play - Two strokes."

 

[rulefan]

I have a ruling from the R&A
The recommended wording for such a Local Rule is as follows:
" Tee Mats.
Where present, tee mats comprise the teeing area. When starting a hole from a tee mat the player must stand and play a ball from the mat.
Penalty for Breach of Local Rule: Match play - Loss of hole; Stroke play - Two strokes."

Nice to an updated version of the ruling I posted earlier.
Winter Tee Mats
Where present, winter tee mats comprise the teeing ground. When starting a hole from a winter tee the player must take his stance on, and play a ball from, the mat.
Penalty for Breach of Local Rule
Match play-Loss of Hole; Stroke Play – Rule 11-4b applies.

 

[backwoodsman]

Just dug out this thread as we are considering introducing this local rule (ie requiring players to stand on, and play the ball from, the artificial mat).

If using the wording above for the rule itself, would it now be appropriate to say the penalty for breach of the local rule is "General Penalty" - rather than separately referring to match play and stroke play? (Or, is there some reason that means the two forms of play need to be specifically mentioned?)

 

[chrisd]

Just dug out this thread as we are considering introducing this local rule (ie requiring players to stand on, and play the ball from, the artificial mat).

If using the wording above for the rule itself, would it now be appropriate to say the penalty for breach of the local rule is "General Penalty" - rather than separately referring to match play and stroke play? (Or, is there some reason that means the two forms of play need to be specifically mentioned?)

If you don't mention Matchplay specifically then the players could overlook any breach surely?

 

[rulefan]

If you don't mention Matchplay specifically then the players could overlook any breach surely?

Why? The definition says exactly what it means.

You may simply say "Penalty for Breach of Rule: General Penalty"

 

[backwoodsman]

Why? The definition says exactly what it means.

You may simply say "Penalty for Breach of Rule: General Penalty"

Ta.

As a subsidiary question: given that the rule is being put in place as "course protection" measure, but in matchplay, a player can overlook a breach of a rule committed by an opponent, how can one (reasonably) ensure that the rule is adhered to in match play situations? Or will it be that one simply has to rely on the integrity of the players?