Visiting a course using winter fairway mats

[BubbaP]

For those who are members at, or who have visited courses where mats are mandated is it fair to assume the course supplies them?

I notice some options out there to purchase:

"Smart mat"
"Rocket launcher"
"Multimat"

Any views on them?

I suspect transitioning to mats is mostly between the ears.

 

[Coffey]

My club uses during the winter. Either use the matt or lift off and play from side of fairway. Not supplied by club but they are sold in the proshop.
I only bought one because they have sanded a lot of the course for drainage and kept finding hitting from the rough was like a bunker. But in saying that, I hate using it and only use it when I need to, like lifting off fairway will give me a harder shot or the ground is very sandy

I hate using it as mine is quite thick and raises the ball about an inch upwards and i find it hard to hit irons off. And when i do connect, it is so clean it goes so much further. I have to say it is great for hitting woods off though as its such a clean lie.

 

[Dan2501]

I've got a Smart Mat. Definitely recommend!

 

[louise_a]

We have fairways in place at our club, I have a multimat they only cost around £6

 

[BubbaP]

Thanks for replies.

Looks like the first two I listed are the same product.
Searching for "divotend" has highlighted some older threads on the subject.

Received a surprise chrimbo present for the Castle course at St Andrews and so looks like one will be mandatory. May buy on and become used to it prior. I've emailed the links trust to find out more.

Cheers

 

[FairwayDodger]

I have a "rocket launcher" and definitely prefer it to the old style ones that are just like a square of carpet.

I'd agree it's mostly between the ears and as long as you are hitting with a descending blow it's much the same as playing off a good lie. If you're more of a "picker" though, catching the ball on the up, this can be a bit like teeing it up and might train some bad habits over the winter if you're not careful.

 

[CliveW]

Received a surprise chrimbo present for the Castle course at St Andrews and so looks like one will be mandatory. May buy on and become used to it prior. I've emailed the links trust to find out more.

Cheers

I've never played the Castle during the winter, but regularly play the Eden, Jubilee or New as they have great deals and are more playable than Blairgowerie at this time of year. All supply winter mats free of charge at the starter box and at the end of your round you leave the mat in the basket provided. It is quite easy to forget and leave the mat hanging on your bag and by the end of the season you can have quite a few in the boot of your car!

 

[hovis]

i play beau destert alot and they ask visitors to place the ball on the 1st cut or tee up

 

[Andy]

Thanks for replies.

Looks like the first two I listed are the same product.
Searching for "divotend" has highlighted some older threads on the subject.

Received a surprise chrimbo present for the Castle course at St Andrews and so looks like one will be mandatory. May buy on and become used to it prior. I've emailed the links trust to find out more.

Cheers

The Castle is closed, reopens in March. All mats are mandatory at St Andrews and supplied free.Good quality mat too.

 

[Craigg]

i play beau destert alot and they ask visitors to place the ball on the 1st cut or tee up

I've never understood the thinking behind teeing it up with an iron. I can't stop myself taking a divot. If I tried to hit up on the ball with an iron it could go anywhere.

 

[hovis]

I've never understood the thinking behind teeing it up with an iron. I can't stop myself taking a divot. If I tried to hit up on the ball with an iron it could go anywhere.

me neither. even the members tee up about 0.5mm and take a strapper.

 

[KenL]

Teeing the ball on the fairway will not help them at all.

Moving to the semi just makes it a nightmare when you just miss the fairway in April.

 

[upsidedown]

i play beau destert alot and they ask visitors to place the ball on the 1st cut or tee up

Played there lastJan and had to use mats, big dustbin of them outside the pro shop. Great for getting loads of backspin