UK Golfers. Thoughts on plastic mats.

[elwhippy]

Our club makes playing off plastic mats mandatory from 1st November. Using them in the rough is also encouraged in bounce games. To add insult to injury scores off mats count towards handicap. 

 

Elsewhere dry, well draining links courses are also using mats. Golf is a game played off grass. Not clumps of Astro Turf. 

 

What are your thoughts?

[MattM97]

If this is to keep the course healthy in the peak season I'd make the sacrifice. If it's a deal breaker find a new club/course.

[Mostly]

We go to mandatory mats everywhere from early Dec to end Feb - if the weather is bad enough that period might get stretched.  We don’t have any individual medals during that period and we can’t put handicap cards in.  I think it’s a good idea as it does save the course from some damage at a time when it’s muddy and the grass isn’t growing.

[bcjim]

Is it majority rule or dictated by an owner?

[elwhippy]

The rule is made by our committee (two of whom are never seen from Nov to April). Our head greenkeeper suggested them years ago and each committee since just agrees. 

[Mostly]

Our midweek sweep will probably start using mats before they become compulsory if we have a wet November.  For a few months in the middle of winter it’s definitely a good thing given that it means we will have the course in better condition come the spring.

[bcjim]

Do you have to use these things even for chipping and other short shots?

[Mostly]

Yes - which is great as you get sooooo much spin playing off a smooth mat!

[Shilgy]

15 hours ago, elwhippy said:

The rule is made by our committee (two of whom are never seen from Nov to April). Our head greenkeeper suggested them years ago and each committee since just agrees. 

You think the members know better than the head greenkeeper?  
 

I’ve got the feeling the same members would be complaining come spring about the terrible conditions-caused by the members tearing up the turf when it’s not growing and healing.

[riddyl]

We did this last year and the fairways come spring were immaculate, its definitely worth it. My advice would be to get the Spurk mat - its about £30 and doesn't require tees to hold in place. 

[E2EGOLFER53]

Let me get this strait.  Are you saying that you carry a matt around with you and place your ball on it to hit anywhere on the course instead of off the tuff?  I have never seen this done in the USA but I may start doing it when I play just to get a better lie during the winter.

 

Stan

[Nickc]

1 hour ago, riddyl said:

advice would be to get the Spurk mat -

Do you use the short pile one for the fairway and the long pile for the rough?

😄

I get upset with winter tees, hope they don't also decide to make the use of mats on the course compulsory.

[riddyl]

11 hours ago, Nickc said:

Do you use the short pile one for the fairway and the long pile for the rough?

😄

I get upset with winter tees, hope they don't also decide to make the use of mats on the course compulsory.

 

I'm not Rockefeller so I just use the short pile 😉

[titleistmad]

On 11/5/2023 at 7:44 PM, riddyl said:

We did this last year and the fairways come spring were immaculate, its definitely worth it. My advice would be to get the Spurk mat - its about £30 and doesn't require tees to hold in place. 

Totally agree with the Spurk mat. Starting using one for the first time this year, far better that the plastic 2 sided ones that i had been using. With the spikes on the bottom of the mat you are not  worried about the mat flexing or moving when striking the ball.

[GolfTurkey]

"Spurk".. that sounds like what my dog does on the back seat of the car after he's been to the beach and drank too much salt water

[hatethefade]

I love winter mats. I've no need for the Spurk, although it's a good mat. If you hit the ball first it doesn't matter. I'm in N Yorkshire at 2 clubs....one is practically unplayable during the winter.....hitting off a mat keeps from ripping out a divot that will not grow in until at least April....and really May onwards. Nothing but clay soil around here....I'm all for making golf more pleasant in unpleasant weather conditions....others disagree. Mandatory mats at the course closest to me....the other club is resisting and the old farts (I'm 66, so....) insist on tearing grass because "that's the way it's always been".

[PedronNiall]

Luckily it's not a thing anywhere I've played or play. I certainly see the good on terms of keeping waterlogged playing areas from being destroyed over the winter but I hate the thought of all the extra plastic bits it's got to be working into the soil & water at any course using them. I already feel badly looking at all the synthetic shavings that build up off range mats.

[skim4]

My High School golf team went and played Carnoustie and we had to use mats on the fairways. I thought it was fair as the British Open was coming to town at some point in the near future. But some guys on the team still talk about it angrily to this day. This was 15+ years ago...