Teeing Area Query

[Suffolkhacker]

Many years ago, I was told that the tee blocks should always be positioned no closer than two club lengths from the back edge of the teeing area. I was told that this is the only time
time you could tee off in front of the tee blocks, because you are allowed those two club lengths from the back edge of the teeing area.

I have always assumed this to be correct, but is it actually true? I have searched the internet and rules websites and cannot find anything about this. Have I been wrong to think this all these years?

 

[Slab]

If there isn't two club lengths I believe its just tough on the players and something to raise with committee after the round
Its one of those situations when 'should' is used in the Rules rather than 'must'

 

[Suffolkhacker]

Yes, I did find that in the rules. Looks like I've been labouring under a misapprehension all these years. I've always assumed this to be true ever since I was told this as a junior, and I'm in my sixties now.

 

[Colin L]

Yes, I did find that in the rules. Looks like I've been labouring under a misapprehension all these years. I've always assumed this to be true ever since I was told this as a junior, and I'm in my sixties now.

You have indeed been the victim of duff information. The front edge of teeing area is defined by the markers even if there is less than 2 club lengths of playable room behind them.

 

[rulefan]

Incidentally, when a Course Rating is done, if the physical fixed blocks are less than 4 yards (or metres or paces?) from the back of the tee 'box' (ie the ground that is used for teeing areas) the distance is taken from where the fixed markers should have been.

 

[backwoodsman]

Worth pointing out that, if the tee-markers are very close to the back of the prepared area, you can still use the full permitted 'two club lengths'. It's just that further back, you may be playing from long grass or nettles ...

 

[clubchamp98]

Worth pointing out that, if the tee-markers are very close to the back of the prepared area, you can still use the full permitted 'two club lengths'. It's just that further back, you may be playing from long grass or nettles ...

Or bushes

We had a young trainee GK who put the blocks so far back on the tee there wasn’t room for our backswing.

We were first out and moved them forward two paces.

 

[Tashyboy]

Our place had had a lot of winter tees built over the last few years. However some of the tees have old range mats. Some of them are that narrow your feet hang off the edge of the mat when your ball is teed up. Some of the lads have said “ sod it” and tee up behind the mat using the two club rule. It’s not gone down well with a few folk at the club.
Anyone seen a ball hit the front edge of a range mat when a ball is topped with the driver.

 

[NearHull]

We have three winter mats on par 3s. They are decent quality and of a good size. The gk puts the markers on either side of the front of the frame, in the grass, with no grass area between the marker and the frame.

Is it therefore obvious that the teeing area is limited to the frame and not to include the area up to two club lengths from the markers behind the frame on the grass?. But, is that sufficient to define the teeing area to the framed mat, or should there be a LR specifically defining the teeing area and restricting it to the mat.

 

[Colin L]

We have three winter mats on par 3s. They are decent quality and of a good size. The gk puts the markers on either side of the front of the frame, in the grass, with no grass area between the marker and the frame.

Is it therefore obvious that the teeing area is limited to the frame and not to include the area up to two club lengths from the markers behind the frame on the grass?. But, is that sufficient to define the teeing area to the framed mat, or should there be a LR specifically defining the teeing area and restricting it to the mat.

Best to have a Local Rule. Here's an example. The principle of requiring the player to stand on the mat was approved but the onus is on the course management to provide a mat that is big enough for the purpose.

MATS USED AS TEEING AREAS
The tee mat defines the teeing area. You must stand on it and play your the ball on it when starting the hole.
Penalty: Loss of hole in match play. Rule 6.1b(2) applies in stroke play.

 

[backwoodsman]

Best to have a Local Rule. Here's an example. The principle of requiring the player to stand on the mat was approved but the onus is on the course management to provide a mat that is big enough for the purpose.

MATS USED AS TEEING AREAS
The tee mat defines the teeing area. You must stand on it and play your the ball on it when starting the hole.
Penalty: Loss of hole in match play. Rule 6.1b(2) applies in stroke play.

We have this ^^ local rule. You have to play off the mat.

Some older mats aren't necessarily 2CL deep but tough. Newer mats are at least 2CL deep

 

[rulefan]

We have this ^^ local rule. You have to play off the mat.

Some older mats aren't necessarily 2CL deep but tough. Newer mats are at least 2CL deep

Why would you need 2cl when using a mat. Grass Teeing Areas may be irregular, worn or have divot holes but mats are regular and the holes for tee pegs are usually forward or centrally placed.

 

[jim8flog]

Why would you need 2cl when using a mat. Grass Teeing Areas may be irregular, worn or have divot holes but mats are regular and the holes for tee pegs are usually forward or centrally placed.

We once had mats that only had centrally place holes and there was not enough room on the mat for your trailing foot when wanting to to tee forward in your stance.

 

[Colin L]

A central hole must be the least effective use of space possible.

 

[rulefan]

We once had mats that only had centrally place holes and there was not enough room on the mat for your trailing foot when wanting to to tee forward in your stance.

Perhaps it was intended to be used as a protective putting surface

 

[backwoodsman]

Why would you need 2cl when using a mat. Grass Teeing Areas may be irregular, worn or have divot holes but mats are regular and the holes for tee pegs are usually forward or centrally placed.

Of course, one doesn’t 'need' 2CL on a mat - but if you have 2CL, then at least it stops (or should stop...) the numpties teeing up on the grass behind the mat as they insist on their 'right' to tee it up 2CL behind the markers (And also removes the need for the local rule).

(Ps. We dont have holes for tee pegs. Dont know the precise construction of the mats (a bit like astroturf?), but you can stick a tee peg in anywhere).

 

[rulie]

We have this ^^ local rule. You have to play off the mat.

Some older mats aren't necessarily 2CL deep but tough. Newer mats are at least 2CL deep

I like the concept of the local Rule, but the penalty statement is odd, shouldn't be loss of hole in match play. Likely not a local rule which would be approved.

 

[Colin L]

I like the concept of the local Rule, but the penalty statement is odd, shouldn't be loss of hole in match play. Likely not a local rule which would be approved.

I should have been clearer. The LR is R&A approved.

I'd suggest that the logic of the loss of hole in matchplay is that the penalty is for the breach of the requirements of the local rule and is not related to the no penalty, optional recall of the normal rule which is solely to do with playing from outside the teeing area. In this instance, you would also breach the LR by standing on the ground off the mat even though your ball was played from within the teeing area.

 

[jim8flog]

I like the concept of the local Rule, but the penalty statement is odd, shouldn't be loss of hole in match play. Likely not a local rule which would be approved.

This our LR (From memory ((some years ago)) I asked the R&A about it and this is the wording I got back from them)

Artificial Tee Mats​

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

Penalty for breach of rule

The General Penalty

 

[Colin L]

The reason why the version of this LR that I used refers players in stroke play to Rule 6.1b(2) is that in addition to the general penalty for playing from outside the teeing area, the error must be corrected by playing again from within the teeing area.