Using a mat to gain an advantage.

[KenL]

Hoping someone can help with this one.

We use winter mats (fairway only if playing in a medal or submitting a whs score) on fairways and 1st cut in social golf.

Is it allowable for someone to position their ball right at the very front edge of the mat so that they can use their driver as if the ball is on a tee?

The purpose of the mat is to protect the course. Using a mat in this way could mean that contact with the ground occurs. Clearly done to gain an advantage as they use the mat correctly for all other shots.

Thoughts appreciated.

 

[upsidedown]

No , LR should specifically mention the action you described is prohibited

 

[PaulMdj]

No , LR should specifically mention the action you described is prohibited

Why? Nowhere is it mentioned how the ball is to be placed on the mat, some mats are actually designed to be used sideways as an option, Spurk mats now have a slope at the back enabling the ball to be played off the edge of the mat.

 

[upsidedown]

This is ours
Players are requested to use Fairway Mats as detailed below to protect the course .

The mat must be placed within 6 inches but not nearer the hole to where the ball originally lay. The ball should be placed anywhere along the central line of the mat but not on any edge in an attempt to “tee up” the ball.

A tee peg may be used to secure the mat, but the ball must NOT be played from the tee peg.

If a ball when placed rolls from the mat, it must be replaced without penalty. If it still fails to remain on the mat, the mat must be moved to the nearest spot not nearer the hole where the ball, when placed, will remain at rest.

There is no penalty should the ball move or be moved after being placed on the mat and before making a stroke, including when addressing the ball or taking a practice swing.



Greens/Match Committee.

November 2022

 

[rulefan]

Hoping someone can help with this one.

We use winter mats (fairway only if playing in a medal or submitting a whs score) on fairways and 1st cut in social golf.

Is it allowable for someone to position their ball right at the very front edge of the mat so that they can use their driver as if the ball is on a tee? Witnessed this today and the person actually turned their mat 90 degrees to make this possible.

The purpose of the mat is to protect the course. Using a mat in this way could mean that contact with the ground occurs. Clearly done to gain an advantage as they use the mat correctly for all other shots.

Thoughts appreciated.

No problem. As PaulMdj has said, there is no rule specifying where the ball may or may not be placed.
When I use such a mat I place the ball right at the back.

From England Golf: ‘When a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less and a putter is not being used for the stroke, the ball must be lifted, placed on and played from an Astroturf, or similar type, of mat. The mat must be placed as near as possible to where the ball originally lay,and the ball must be placed on the mat. The ball may be cleaned when lifted.’



The approved 'Rocket Launcher' is specifically designed so that the ball is perched on the top of a curve.
PS Edit: When the above was originally introduced it was approved for use on the fairway. It seemingly has now been reintroduced as the 'Masters Launcher' and is aimed at winter tees rather than fairways. I don't know if it is still approved for fairway use (without the rubber tees.

 

[PaulMdj]

This is ours
Players are requested to use Fairway Mats as detailed below to protect the course .

The mat must be placed within 6 inches but not nearer the hole to where the ball originally lay. The ball should be placed anywhere along the central line of the mat but not on any edge in an attempt to “tee up” the ball.

A tee peg may be used to secure the mat, but the ball must NOT be played from the tee peg.

If a ball when placed rolls from the mat, it must be replaced without penalty. If it still fails to remain on the mat, the mat must be moved to the nearest spot not nearer the hole where the ball, when placed, will remain at rest.

There is no penalty should the ball move or be moved after being placed on the mat and before making a stroke, including when addressing the ball or taking a practice swing.



Greens/Match Committee.

November 2022

This is virtually the model local rule from the RandA with the bit highlighted added in by your Club.

Are you also instructed to use a specific mat as some mats give you the sideways option?

 

[upsidedown]

No, but most players use a Spurk mat or the ones produced by Fairway Products, smooth and dimple sides..

 

[PaulMdj]

No, but most players use a Spurk mat or the ones produced by Fairway Products, smooth and dimple sides..

Maybe this is one of those rules that Clubs can state how the mats are to be used. No right or wrong way.

Here’s our wording:
When a player’s ball lies in part of the general area cut to fairway height or less and a putter is not being used for the stroke, the ball must be lifted, placed on and played from an Astroturf or similar type of mat. The mat must be placed as near as possible to where the ball originally lay and the ball must be placed on the mat. The ball may be cleaned when lifted.'

@KenL maybe you need to check the LR at the Club you were playing.

 

[rulefan]

The ball should be placed anywhere along the central line of the mat but not on any edge in an attempt to “tee up” the ball.

Where did the words above come from (other than the Committee)? I can't find any such ruling.

PS. I do note that it specifies 'should' rather than 'must'.

 

[KenL]

Where did the words above come from (other than the Committee)? I can't find any such ruling.

Maybe not, but that’s what it should be. The mat is to protect the course after all.

 

[upsidedown]

Where did the words above come from (other than the Committee)? I can't find any such ruling.

PS. I do note that it specifies 'should' rather than 'must'.

When we first started a trial to use Fairway mats on certain holes we used the Multimat and guess the LR came from their advice ? https://www.fairwayproductsonline.co.uk/docs/Multimat_Instruction_Sheet_LR.pdf

 

[KenL]

Maybe this is one of those rules that Clubs can state how the mats are to be used. No right or wrong way.

Here’s our wording:
When a player’s ball lies in part of the general area cut to fairway height or less and a putter is not being used for the stroke, the ball must be lifted, placed on and played from an Astroturf or similar type of mat. The mat must be placed as near as possible to where the ball originally lay and the ball must be placed on the mat. The ball may be cleaned when lifted.'

@KenL maybe you need to check the LR at the Club you were playing.

The LR is short.

 

[PaulMdj]

The LR is short.

In what way?

 

[KenL]

In what way?

It just tells you where to use a mat and that you can’t use one from the 1st cut.

 

[PaulMdj]

It just tells you where to use a mat and that you can’t use one from the 1st cut.

I only cut and pasted the bit pertinent to the discussion, didn’t see the point of posting the bottom bit as it’s not relevant to your op.

 

[rulefan]

When we first started a trial to use Fairway mats on certain holes we used the Multimat and guess the LR came from their advice ? https://www.fairwayproductsonline.co.uk/docs/Multimat_Instruction_Sheet_LR.pdf

Makes more sense now, really just a recommendation from the manufacturer, primarily to prevent miss hits.

 

[salfordlad]

As a general comment, RBs have been comfortable with clubs amending Model Local Rules to make them a little more restrictive that the approved model, with no requirement for them to be approved. The opposite is not the case.

 

[rulefan]

As a general comment, RBs have been comfortable with clubs amending Model Local Rules to make them a little more restrictive that the approved model, with no requirement for them to be approved. The opposite is not the case.

I hadn't noticed that. Not to say it doesn't happen but can you give examples?

 

[salfordlad]

I hadn't noticed that. Not to say it doesn't happen but can you give examples?

One I'm aware of is preferred lies MLR being amended restricting the player to use the same ball. Another is limiting preferred lies to balls in their own fairway, not the closely-mown of another hole.
But these are odd cases and it cannot clash with any broader rule - for example, requiring a ball to be marked when lifting to take preferred lies has been officially stamped 'not permitted' - this would clash with an overarching principle embedded in the Rules from 2019, a requirement to mark relates only to a lifted ball that needs to be replaced.

 

[Tashyboy]

Odd I should see this, a PP today borrowed one from the shop. It was one of those mats that has lugs on the underside to help grip the ground. However. He used it with the back of the mat lugs in the ground and the front of the mats lugs standing proud. Basically the Mat was used as a teed up launch mat with the ball at the front.. And the only club he used was the driver. And he always smoked it.
At the end of the round, he went in and bought one.