Fairway mats
17/10/2024
The use of fairway mats and divot ends
Since the publication recently of a new Adverse/ Extreme Weather reference guide created by England Golf (EG), there has been some confusion about whether or not our policy on the use of fairway mats has changed.
The EG guide covers a number of areas, all with the aim of supporting the World Handicapping System in the event of weather factors affecting play.
One section refers to the use of fairway mats and does use the word “compulsory” in the text.
However, the Management Board here at Stoke has reviewed the document and believes the context to be that where a club has a local rule in place that makes fairway mats compulsory, scores may still be included in Competitions and General Play rounds for handicapping purposes.
We do not have such a rule in place. Our local rule (Rule 6) refers to preferred lies, and simply includes the line “Fairway mats may also be used”.
At this time, we have no plans to change our local rule, so the use of fairway mats and/or divot ends will continue to be optional in both Competitions and General Play rounds for as long as preferred lies are in operation.
But we will continue to monitor the situation and if England Golf change their advice and after consultation with the resort, we will act accordingly.
Since the publication recently of a new Adverse/ Extreme Weather reference guide created by England Golf (EG), there has been some confusion about whether or not our policy on the use of fairway mats has changed.
The EG guide covers a number of areas, all with the aim of supporting the World Handicapping System in the event of weather factors affecting play.
One section refers to the use of fairway mats and does use the word “compulsory” in the text.
However, the Management Board here at Stoke has reviewed the document and believes the context to be that where a club has a local rule in place that makes fairway mats compulsory, scores may still be included in Competitions and General Play rounds for handicapping purposes.
We do not have such a rule in place. Our local rule (Rule 6) refers to preferred lies, and simply includes the line “Fairway mats may also be used”.
At this time, we have no plans to change our local rule, so the use of fairway mats and/or divot ends will continue to be optional in both Competitions and General Play rounds for as long as preferred lies are in operation.
But we will continue to monitor the situation and if England Golf change their advice and after consultation with the resort, we will act accordingly.