Winter matts

[jusme]

Specific Question. They are compulsory at our course - no problems with that. Rows are starting already as the club is selling a specific mat to their members (renting same to guests). Some of us are using different types of mats and some members feel that this should not be allowed. Their argument goes - if your using a better/different mat you may be gaining an unfair advantage.

I suppose I'm not interested in opinion re any argument, more specifically what does the rules say?

Can the club, if they wish specify a type of mat and use a local rule to enforce that, ONLY that type can be used? I see the problem escalating so trying to get ahead of the game

Edit - all our comps till March are non qualifiers and handicaps are frozen till then

 

[clubchamp98]

Is it classed as part of your equipment?
If so everyone would have to have the same driver / ball etc .
Don’t know the answer but would think it’s a non qualifier if these were used , my guess would be no.
I have never used one.

 

[patricks148]

We go on mats today at Nairn and Nairn Dunbar were on them a week ago. we use the green carpet style which the club provides free for use. Box of them on the first tee and you are asked to deposit it in another box by the 18th green after play. Nairn Dunbar sell them i think and all there members have the double sided plastic version with the spikes on side and a smooth bit with a slight raised bit for a ball on the reverse.

I have tried both versions and the rocket launcher types, but i prefer the carpet one, only real downside is its difficult to get the ball to stay on if you are on any kind of slope.


I don't believe there is any advantage from one or the other.

 

[rulefan]

They can certainly be used when playing qualifiers. There is no restriction on the type, rocket launchers are approved.
See CONGU decisions 1(a) and 1(d)

 

[duncan mackie]

You have answered the question with the ststement that the competitions are non qualifiying.

As such the club can specify any rules they chose for a competition e.g. limit the number of clubs, even require you to play with hickory clubs! As such they can specify a specific mat for use.

Whether you are required to use that mat will be down to the club's conditions of competition, and whether they say this, or the specific LR requiring the use of 'X'.

Whether they should is, of course, a completely different matter. I little bit like insisting everyone uses the same golf glove, ball or model of clubs unless there is a course benefit to the use of a particular one.

 

[jusme]

You have answered the question with the ststement that the competitions are non qualifiying.

As such the club can specify any rules they chose for a competition e.g. limit the number of clubs, even require you to play with hickory clubs! As such they can specify a specific mat for use.

Whether you are required to use that mat will be down to the club's conditions of competition, and whether they say this, or the specific LR requiring the use of 'X'.

Whether they should is, of course, a completely different matter. I little bit like insisting everyone uses the same golf glove, ball or model of clubs unless there is a course benefit to the use of a particular one.

Thanks - I am not interested in whether they should or should not, just whether they can and as you state, rounds played now are non qualifiers so they can enforce on us anything they want.

 

[Robster59]

Our club go on to mats today. I don't believe there's an advantage of one form over another. At our club we have loan mats but I personally use the rocket launcher (or divotEND as it is called now). I prefer the divotEND but people use a variety of mats.
For some people to complain that one is better than another is just being silly and petty IMHO.

 

[jusme]

Our club go on to mats today. I don't believe there's an advantage of one form over another. At our club we have loan mats but I personally use the rocket launcher (or divotEND as it is called now). I prefer the divotEND but people use a variety of mats.
For some people to complain that one is better than another is just being silly and petty IMHO.

I don't disagree, sadly perceived advantage will get people moaning, whether there concerns are based on reality or not.

I used the rocket launcher/Divotend but didn't like it. It done what many say online - promoted a higher ball flight, which does not help my game. I passed it on to a friend who sometimes struggles to get the ball in the air or at best hits a low ball. The launcher certainly seems to have helped him, therefore some are thinking he is getting an unfair advantage. It's interesting. Using the normal plastic or pieces of turf mats and he gets no where near the launch conditions the rocket launcher allows him.

Is this an unfair advantage? My specific question is answered so happy to debate whether a type can give you an advantage over another

 

[rulefan]

I prefer the rocket launcher but I sometimes use the 'spikes one side, smooth the other' where I can get a good run by placing the ball so it is on the very back near corner of the mat and peg the mat to the ground. The rocket launcher is easier to carry round the course.

 

[duncan mackie]

Is this an unfair advantage? My specific question is answered so happy to debate whether a type can give you an advantage over another

Given that even the mental thought that you have an advantage with any equipment, or in any conditions etc, will deliver an advantage I think it's safe to say that the ability to select the mat used is a defacto advantage, although as in the example you posted it can, of course, go further than that.

For those advocating that one type only removes such a disparity....sadly it doesn't. By the same logic the mats specified will suit someone better than another! It follows that the true leveller is the let people select their own 'poison' 🤔

 

[IanM]

Only played one round of golf in my life using fairway mat...and have no intention of repeating the experience

I would have thought it isnt covered by the actual "Rules" and Clubs could issue a local rule if they saw fit. My advice, move to a latitude where the only evidence of their existance is on pages such as these.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Ive never played a course that has them, but then I have used a mat on my own lawn, and hated it every moment. Have to say I wouldnt play at a course that used them.
I thought though that all these wonderful ( Scopttish) links courses drained that well so these things wouldnt be needed?

 

[patricks148]

Ive never played a course that has them, but then I have used a mat on my own lawn, and hated it every moment. Have to say I wouldnt play at a course that used them.
I thought though that all these wonderful ( Scopttish) links courses drained that well so these things wouldnt be needed?

its nothing to do with Drainage, its more the fact that some parts of the UK, not necessarily just Scotland get little of no grass growth for 6 months. its to stop the fairways getting trashed over winter, even the old course uses them over winter

 

[Colin L]

Ive never played a course that has them, but then I have used a mat on my own lawn, and hated it every moment. Have to say I wouldnt play at a course that used them.
I thought though that all these wonderful ( Scopttish) links courses drained that well so these things wouldnt be needed?

There are plenty of wonderful Scottish courses that are not links ones which can get significantly soggy. A mat can make the difference between enjoyable and nealry impossible golf. Why deny yourself enjoyment? And, as just said, they protect the course.

 

[rulefan]

We started making them compulsory about 5/6 years ago. The difference in the state of the fairways in early spring is remarkable. Last year we started to build two new holes and completed them this year. One went completely, the other shared most of the fairway of the original.
We allowed (encouraged rather) players not to use mats on the defunct hole. It was very obvious to those that had been dissenters previously why we use mats.

 

[Robster59]

its nothing to do with Drainage, its more the fact that some parts of the UK, not necessarily just Scotland get little of no grass growth for 6 months. its to stop the fairways getting trashed over winter, even the old course uses them over winter

There are plenty of wonderful Scottish courses that are not links ones which can get significantly soggy. A mat can make the difference between enjoyable and nealry impossible golf. Why deny yourself enjoyment? And, as just said, they protect the course.

Exactly this. It would be nice to be in a position to not be on mats but we have the option to take the ball to the rough but you get used to it and it means I can still enjoy my golf and the course is ready when spring comes. It's all very well saying "I'd never play a course on mats" but you have to be pragmatic and understand the conditions carry in different parts of the country.

 

[clubchamp98]

I can’t belive qualifiers are allowed on them that just sounds wrong.
Ball in hand ,it must be at least 1/2” higher than normal sitting on a mat.
This would promote a hook for most .

 

[rulefan]

When on a mat the height from the surface of the mat is the same as the height from the grass when sitting on the grass. ie touching
Of course, when on grass there is enough space to get the edge of a club underneath or take a divot if that is your natural iron shot.

 

[garyinderry]

Comps with mats is just plain silly imo. Thats not golf.

 

[Colin L]

When everyone is playing to the same condition ie playing off mats, what makes it silly? Would you prefer to deny yourself the enjoyment of a game of golf because you have to play fairway shots from a mat? Alternatively, would you prefer to start the season in spring on a hacked up golf course?