Mats

[Leereed]

Played a course today that a group of us are thinking of joining had to play off fairway mats.its the first time I have played off these.not sure I like them,full shots ok, but owt else they don't feel right.what everyone else think?

 

[Andy]

They protect the course, end of. If it wasn't for them you may find your course being closed.

 

[Duckster]

Have them at ours. They do protect the course and you get used to them. Although everyone loves the "fairway mats no longer required" notice. Shouldn't be long now before it's up.

 

[davidy233]

Played during the week for first time this winter without mats - Our finished on the 28th of Feb - don't mind them too much in winter but wouldn't want to play comps of them.

 

[Lump]

Ours come off this wednesday. At the start of winter you don't mind them that much, come the new year and early spring you've had enough.

 

[Tashyboy]

Heard about about a few elite courses round us that used um and I thought no wonder members were leaving to join our club. However I went to horsley lodge and saw they used mats and I thought now I know why.

ave seen the state of some of our fairways and the bottom line is that some players! members! society day players simply do not know what replacing a divot or repairing a pitch mark means.

So if it means pick and place or using mats, then it looks like mats are the future because of poor etiquette by a lot of Golfers

 

[davidg2010uk]

They are a bit of pain, but the grass doesn't grow (in the West of Scotland) over the winter so are unfortunately a necessity at most clubs. Nothing worse than the ball moving slightly on the mat on your downswing! :fore:

 

[rosecott]

They are a bit of pain, but the grass doesn't grow (in the West of Scotland) over the winter so are unfortunately a necessity at most clubs. Nothing worse than the ball moving slightly on the mat on your downswing! :fore:

Yes, played Woodhall Spa last weekend and mats had to be used on 2 holes -didn't like it one bit ( only posted to brag that I was on both those fairways - most of the rest of the round is not open for discussion).

 

[Birchy]

They are a disgrace imo. I hate them with a passion, its just not golf.

IMHO there is just no need whatsoever for them.

 

[bluewolf]

They are a disgrace imo. I hate them with a passion, its just not golf.

IMHO there is just no need whatsoever for them.

Much as I hate disagreeing with you mate (unless its about football), I've got to say you're wrong... At my last club they were mandatory and I hated them with a passion. At my new club they are optional and the fairways are in a mess already.. It's not that people don't replace the divots (and some don't), but that the replaced divots are then turned over by the birds.. The difference between the fairways at my old and new clubs is worrying..

Use the mats, or move the ball to the first cut.. Simple.. You'll benefit from it eventually..:thup:

 

[Birchy]

Much as I hate disagreeing with you mate (unless its about football), I've got to say you're wrong... At my last club they were mandatory and I hated them with a passion. At my new club they are optional and the fairways are in a mess already.. It's not that people don't replace the divots (and some don't), but that the replaced divots are then turned over by the birds.. The difference between the fairways at my old and new clubs is worrying..

Use the mats, or move the ball to the first cut.. Simple.. You'll benefit from it eventually..:thup:

The grass will recover quick enough mate im telling thee

Plenty courses don't use them and the fairways are fine. I wont play off them ever again as its just ridiculous.

 

[Jason Daisycutter]

How on earth did we manage for several hundred years without them?
The main rule in golf is to play the ball as it lies. If you can't, because of having to put a mat under it, what's the point?
I have never used them and never will. If I go to a course and they insist on using mats I'll be back in my car and heading off somewhere else.

 

[bluewolf]

The grass will recover quick enough mate im telling thee

Plenty courses don't use them and the fairways are fine. I wont play off them ever again as its just ridiculous.

But it's not just the grass that is displaced.. It's the grass and at least half an inch of top soil.. This ends up leaving a mess of a fairway.. Trust me mate, I was just as much against them as you, but now I''ve seen the results of not using them then I would prefer people to use them... Just move the ball to the first cut.. It's no big deal through the winter is it?

Anyway, what time you setting off on Saturday? Long drive then 18 round Silloth, then a few bevvies.. Gonna be a long day..

 

[User20205]

they've been optional at our place all winter, as a trial. I've not used them but if/when they are made compulsory next year, I'll be fully behind it. I can't see the point in hacking up the fairways when it's preferred lies anyway. Winter golf is all about the walk, I'd rather the course be saved for the summer

 

[Birchy]

But it's not just the grass that is displaced.. It's the grass and at least half an inch of top soil.. This ends up leaving a mess of a fairway.. Trust me mate, I was just as much against them as you, but now I''ve seen the results of not using them then I would prefer people to use them... Just move the ball to the first cut.. It's no big deal through the winter is it?

Anyway, what time you setting off on Saturday? Long drive then 18 round Silloth, then a few bevvies.. Gonna be a long day..

I think we are aiming to be away from mine by 8 at the latest. We are aiming to arrive at Silloth around 10-10:15 so we can have a bite and a brew before we get chewed to pieces

Could be a few nodding dogs later in the pub :rofl:

 

[Birchy]

On the mats it could hinge on how much traffic is on a certain course as well maybe??

I know my new place has a lot less members so that may be a factor in them not bothering with mats??

 

[Foxholer]

How on earth did we manage for several hundred years without them?
The main rule in golf is to play the ball as it lies. If you can't, because of having to put a mat under it, what's the point?
I have never used them and never will. If I go to a course and they insist on using mats I'll be back in my car and heading off somewhere else.

Mainly it was the traffic - far fewer played during the Winter.

And the fairways were not cut anywhere near as short as now - if they were 'cut' at all - so it was like playing from the semi anyway.

Not keen on mats, but if it protects the course sufficiently....

 

[One Planer]

We have them at our place and I hate them with a passion :angry:

I agree they protect the course but they are a nightmare to play off, especially close to the green where you have a short pitch or chip.

Hateful, hateful things.