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 ?