User20205
Money List Winner
No not treated poorer, just see the bigger picture.
All this talk of leaving, for as Rich says, 8 shots a round for 3 months ....because I pay £xxxx = consumerism. I thought being a member meant more than that.
No more playing off fairways until March :(
- Thread starter louise_a
- Start date
No not treated poorer, just see the bigger picture.
All this talk of leaving, for as Rich says, 8 shots a round for 3 months ....because I pay £xxxx = consumerism. I thought being a member meant more than that.
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Matter of perception and how much you value being a "member" I guess. Not worth massive amounts to me, so predominantly Im a consumer and want all year golf not for 7 or 8 months. Theres a great spirit at our club amongst the members, but most would happily go elsewhere if the playing experience was diminshed.
Where do you draw the line? How much do you take in lieu of being a member before you become a consumer? If this is acceptable what wouldnt be?
chrisd
Major Champion
Member or consumer, I can't see too much difference but I don't see the need for mats down in Kent. Our course hasn't had any major problems as far as I know in the 100 years of its life and when the spring comes the fairways, and areas that are used by trolleys, quickly recover, so if we were to be asked to use mats I would see it as a huge over reaction and be very much against it. I don't have any problem with anyone who supports there use at their own club, but please leave me and mine to my view!
Foxholer
Blackballed
It's not just 8 shots though is it! In the 87 shots I played last round, I hit 24 of then from fairway! An earlier round, 22 shots from fairway out of 77 total!
Liverbirdie
Ryder Cup Winner
Are a large portion of them 8-9 month a year golfers.
If so it wouldn't surprise me if it doesn't affect the greatly.
It would be interesting to see if the voting patterns changed for all year round golfers.
richart
Major Champion
Surely most golfers playing in the winter months don't take it too seriously, more social golf, bit of fresh air, and playing a few shots off a mat is hardly cause to leave the club ?
Foxholer
Blackballed
CliveW
Tour Winner
There is a vast difference between the weather in Scotland and the SE of England. At Blairgowrie we play off fairway mats, or first cut, from the beginning of November until March. The first cut is often hard to discern from the fairway so there is little difference in lie etc. This is the third year that we have done this, and there is a big difference in the course come the spring. On Wednesday, the temperature here was minus three when I teed off at 9.30 am, the course was completely white with frost and it was a struggle to push a tee into the ground. Wedges off mats are brilliant, the spin you can generate is awesome.
As said before, most courses up here, especially in the Highlands, play off mats in the winter, and that includes many links courses such as St. Andrews. It is a price I'm happy to pay just to play golf, but I am prepared to travel to Gullane etc, to play without them.
Incidentally, we currently have a weather warning for heavy snow at Blairgowrie on Sunday, so it looks like there won't be any golf at all, but then we are only 20 miles away from the ski slopes.
As said before, most courses up here, especially in the Highlands, play off mats in the winter, and that includes many links courses such as St. Andrews. It is a price I'm happy to pay just to play golf, but I am prepared to travel to Gullane etc, to play without them.
Incidentally, we currently have a weather warning for heavy snow at Blairgowrie on Sunday, so it looks like there won't be any golf at all, but then we are only 20 miles away from the ski slopes.
Foxholer
Blackballed
That's fair enough. And I've not encountered any course in the South East that has them. Somewhere in between, there must be a cross-over and, if I was contemplating club in that area, I would look at their policy and price before considering joining - along with all the other 'Winter related' matters = abandonment of qualifying comps, forward or temporary tees, Winter or temporary greens etc - to judge any decision to join there or elsewhere.
Just where that cross-over point is, I have no idea.
SocketRocket
Ryder Cup Winner
The clubs I have played that don't use them don't seem to have rubbish fairways in the summer.
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
As soon as mats went down I'd be looking for somewhere else to play for the duration.
I hate hitting off of mats, this is why I never visit driving ranges.
I would rather not play golf for 3 months (or even more) than risk doing myself an injury with my shonky swing.
I hate hitting off of mats, this is why I never visit driving ranges.
I would rather not play golf for 3 months (or even more) than risk doing myself an injury with my shonky swing.
User20205
Money List Winner
You might like it mate. You get a little raised section to put your ball in, you'd be hitting those new irons lovely off there.
When they were optional last year some of the seniors preferred using them. You get some height on your 9 wood.
The only question I have about them is how they can be authorised for use in qualifiers. There is a definite advantage to using them for some golfers.
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
Duckster
Tour Rookie
They use mats at my place (which I knew before I joined) but they also have, consistently, the best fairways in the area. They do make a difference. Personally I'm not too bothered about playing off them. Like some others have mentioned, I consider winter golf to be more about the social side. Just getting out there, keeping a swing going and playing matchplay most weekends. Trying to bed in any swing changes for the next season. I spend the majority of the year at weekends trying to get my handicap down, I could do with a few months off from playing medals.
As for leaving my club due to playing off mats. Nah. I'd leave if the price of it went stupid, but not because of having to use mats. (Especially as the other club right next to me uses mats as well)
As for leaving my club due to playing off mats. Nah. I'd leave if the price of it went stupid, but not because of having to use mats. (Especially as the other club right next to me uses mats as well)
sawtooth
Tour Winner
I've never played off mats on fairways before but I must admit the idea doesn't appeal at all. Hypothetically, if the course requested that for a period of time due to exceptional bad weather then yes I would comply - of course. But if it was a regular year on year arrangement for winter then I would try to find another course I think.
D
Deleted Member 1156
Guest
Stub
Challenge Tour Pro
Time to look for another club if it was me:mmm:
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
I will have a look at your set up on Monday if you want Gordon and give you a few pointers
DCB
Well-known member
I play on a parkland course where, depending on conditions, we use mats during the worst of the winter months. As Toad said earlier, not a popular option until you can compare the wear and tear to the course before use and the after use. It makes a huge difference in the early months of the new season. Given that the ground temp won't get above 8°C until well into April, an already slow growing season is definitely helped by their use. It reduces wear on the pinch points on the course where everyone seems to play from.
With last years milder conditions we were able to avoid their use for much of the winter, but, if it's a cold one this winter, they'll be back in use.
With last years milder conditions we were able to avoid their use for much of the winter, but, if it's a cold one this winter, they'll be back in use.
D
Deleted Member 1156
Guest
I find the comments about leaving your club if mats were introduced really interesting. OK, it's not ideal but presumably you joined your current club because it's the best one for you within a reasonable distance.
So you would leave what is the best club for you and join a worse one for the sake of 3 months playing off mats in the middle of winter? Sounds a bit like cutting off your nose to spite your face.
So you would leave what is the best club for you and join a worse one for the sake of 3 months playing off mats in the middle of winter? Sounds a bit like cutting off your nose to spite your face.
