Using a mat to gain an advantage.

[Canfordhacker]

This was text from email from club

"Previously, a Local Rule has been brought in to allow the use of fairway mats in competition and for qualifying scores to help protect courses in winter.
If a club wishes to bring in Model Local Rule E-12 now it can only be done* if all players are required to use mats in competition and for qualifying scores,* it does not permit players to choose if they want to use them or not."

"My apologies if some members were advised contrary to this recently, however, clarification from the R&A and England Golf has been sought regarding this rule, which we've been advised cannot be amended to permit a choice to use in competition, it must be mandatory when used."

 

[Canfordhacker]

England Golf has approved their use for qualifiers.

https://static.whsplatform.englandgolf.org/clubs/1000-1/uploads/downloads/whs/winter_golf_checklist_071222.pdf

Page 4

That link does include the word "must", which does suggest the use of mats becomes compulsory

 

[salfordlad]

Me and Kraxx saw a couple of players using them down our first hole on Saturday. First lad threw his mat down about 2 ft in front of where his ball was. Second guy had his ball right up against a tree, no way he had a shot, he just put his mat about a foot to the side of the tree and hit it from there. Hopefully they weren’t playing in the winter league

LOL, this is the kind of thing that happens a bit in Clubland anytime a Committee enables players to lift their ball. If you are not prepared to call it out on the spot or with the Committee, it will most likely continue unabated and this is a choice we all have to make from time to time.

 

[rulefan]

That link does include the word "must", which does suggest the use of mats becomes compulsory

It would seem that this clause ".... when there is a Local Rule in place requiring the compulsory use of fairway mats ...." implies that if their use is not compulsory then there would be a penalty for improving their lie or wrong place

 

[2blue]

And the Spurk one also has a hole/dimple

No the they don't, not the new ones just the Mark 1's

 

[Colin L]

Since the main purpose of mats is to protect the course over the winter so that we start a new season with the turf in good condition. there would be little point in making their use optional.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Since the main purpose of mats is to protect the course over the winter so that we start a new season with the turf in good condition. there would be little point in making their use optional.

It's not at my club. Anyone seen not using a mat has their membership suspended.

 

[upsidedown]

No the they don't, not the new ones just the Mark 1's

Didn't know they did a newer version but if this is one there is a dimple where the tee goes ,on the other side ?

 

[2blue]

Didn't know they did a newer version but if this is one there is a dimple where the tee goes ,on the other side ?

Yes that's the Mk 1. There no hole on the newer version & theres a chambered slope to the rear to deflect inaccurate swings that might connect with the end of the mat..... have had some of those myself over the years with the Mk 1 & had to make some repairs.
Best mat by far & must have made a pretty penny for them

 

[2blue]

It's not at my club. Anyone seen not using a mat has their membership suspended.

How's that get reported, evidenced? During the winter period a significant % of players are societies/visitors etc so mats are optional with increasing numbers of members using Spurks & you can clearly see the difference that's making.

 

[PaulMdj]

How's that get reported, evidenced? During the winter period a significant % of players are societies/visitors etc so mats are optional with increasing numbers of members using Spurks & you can clearly see the difference that's making.

We have the same policy, mats only, visitors caught not using a mat are asked to leave, members get a warning first time and then ban if persists.
Policed by members and staff.
No mat, no play.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

How's that get reported, evidenced? During the winter period a significant % of players are societies/visitors etc so mats are optional with increasing numbers of members using Spurks & you can clearly see the difference that's making.

At weekends theres a mashal, plus the green staff report back. Memebers also police it as it's so easy to see divots now. visitors arent an issue, as there arent any. Guests are very few, and the responsibility of the member though again, theres very few this time of year.
Theres is no slap ont he wrists if caught, straight away your told to leave the course and your membership suspended. It may sound harsh and shcool rules like, but the difference in course condition come spring and summer is so much better and whilst they may not be universally liked, no one can argue they don't make a huge difference.

 

[Colin L]

Given the age demographic of our membership, I would prefer just a little tolerance of the occasional senior moment by otherwise willingly compliant folk.
Mind you it should be easier to remember this winter as we extended the requirement to use a mat to anywhere in the general area and so we are not changing from mat to no mat to mat again as we zig-zag our way to the green.

Apart from seeing a value in protecting the whole course particularly the first cut where the grass is in many places no longer than the fairway, it means that anyone you see even in the distance playing without a mat other than in a PA or bunker or on the green is in the wrong, making it easier to police. (The course is shortened too much for acceptable scores which takes handicapping out of the equation.)

 

[rulefan]

For some years we have used mats (on the fairway only) and our head keeper has been in the forefront in it's promotion. The difference come the Spring has converted virtually all the gainsayers. Our previous HG retired a year or so after their introduction.
The condition and quality of the fairways has been high on the (promoted) HG's agenda. So much so, that he has deferred their introduction because 'the grass is still growing and recovering quickly'. He will require their use at the first signs of need.
Their use is compulsory and members monitor their use. Default means a few weeks suspension.

 

[upsidedown]

Yes that's the Mk 1. There no hole on the newer version & theres a chambered slope to the rear to deflect inaccurate swings that might connect with the end of the mat..... have had some of those myself over the years with the Mk 1 & had to make some repairs.
Best mat by far & must have made a pretty penny for them

Where do you put the tee peg then ?

 

[NearHull]

Immediate suspension seems a little harsh. We are mandatory mats in the General Area and I forgot to use a mat when chipping from under a tree in a competition last week. (Called two sots on myself. ). It was forgetfulness and certainly not a suspension issue.

However, if we discovered a frequent non- user , he would be DQ’d from any competition ( serious breach) and if we judged it to be flagrant disregard, we would then withdraw his playing privileges for a while.

 

[KenL]

How's that get reported, evidenced? During the winter period a significant % of players are societies/visitors etc so mats are optional with increasing numbers of members using Spurks & you can clearly see the difference that's making.

There are no visitors at my club over the winter.

 

[KenL]

Immediate suspension seems a little harsh. We are mandatory mats in the General Area and I forgot to use a mat when chipping from under a tree in a competition last week. (Called two sots on myself. ). It was forgetfulness and certainly not a suspension issue.

However, if we discovered a frequent non- user , he would be DQ’d from any competition ( serious breach) and if we judged it to be flagrant disregard, we would then withdraw his playing privileges for a while.

Why give yourself a 2 shot penalty?

 

[rulefan]

Why give yourself a 2 shot penalty?

14.7a

 

[KenL]

14.7a

Playing from a wrong place?