Winter Mats – Key Information

Do I still get Preferred Lies?

No. Winter Mats have replaced Preferred Lies and must be used on the fairway.

Where should I use the Winter Mat?

Winter Mats must be used on:

• Fairways – those areas maintained as such and where previously preferred lies applied.
• Aprons – the approaches/entrances to greens.
• Fringes of greens – the first cut areas that encircle the green, generally about a club length wide
• If your ball lands on another holes tee box – applies to competition play, in general play, drop off the tee box instead.

If you elect to use a putter from the above areas you are not to use your Winter Mat. (The use of any other club used in a putting action is not deemed a putter)

What if I’m unsure where the fairway ends and the rough begins?

The Greens Team are working to better define the fairway and rough areas to assist with this.

If it’s difficult to see the cut line, please agree it with your playing partners.

Please refer to the below course layout for guidance on fairway areas. Some short-cut and worn areas outside the fairways and greens are not considered fairway and a mat should not be used there. Examples of this would include around most bunkers, walkways including those roped off between holes and areas cut short around greens that are beyond the fringe.

Where do I put the Winter Mat?

Place the mat directly underneath your golf ball. You may either mark your ball to the side before placing the mat, or simply lift your ball and position the mat underneath it.

What if my ball won’t stay on the mat?

If your ball will not rest on the mat, you may move it to the nearest spot (no nearer the hole) where it will stay on the mat.

What if I lose my mat during the round?

Winter Mats are compulsory. If you lose yours, you must share with a playing partner — you cannot play directly from the grass.

Cleaning the Ball

Although the model local rule adopted does not state this, due to the wet weather likely throughout winter we have made the decision to allow cleaning of the golf ball before being placed onto the winter mat.

Before placing your ball on the mat, you may lift and clean it.
If you are using a putter from the fairway or fringe and therefore not using a mat, you may mark, clean, and replace your ball in its original position as you would on the green.

Rule Summary:

When a player's ball lies in the general area cut to fairway height or less the ball may be lifted, cleaned and replaced without penalty. The player must mark the spot of the ball before lifting it (see Rule 14.1) and the ball must be replaced on its original spot (see Rule 14.2)

 "When a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less and a putter is not being used for the stroke, the player must take free relief by lifting the original ball and placing the original ball or another ball on an artificial mat and play it from there. The mat must be placed on top of the spot where the ball came to rest.

If a ball when placed rolls off the mat, the player must try to place it a second time. If the ball again does not stay on the mat, the mat must be moved to the nearest spot, not nearer the hole, where the ball will come to rest on the mat when placed.

If the ball on the mat is accidentally moved before a stroke is made, there is no penalty and the ball must be placed again on the mat.

If a tee is used to secure the mat into the ground, the ball must not be placed on the tee.

We’re pleased that to date there have been very few reports of members or visitors not using their mats — thank you all for your co-operation.

However, many Winter Mats have already gone missing, and only a very few have been handed in. If you have found one and forgotten to return it, please take it to the Golf Reception and let staff know when and where it was found.

We also encourage all members using Winter Mats to clearly label them with your name to help avoid confusion.

We appreciate that this is a new concept for many and there may still be some ambiguity regarding the use of mats. Should you have any queries contact us and we will be happy to assist and can communicate any further frequently asked questions to all members.