With effect from Monday 13th December and until further notice, the use of mats will be mandatory on all closely mown areas, including the first cut of rough. In ‘bounce’ games we would also encourage Members to use their mats in the rough to protect the course as much as possible, but this is optional.

Mats this year will be available to purchase from the Professional at a cost of £5 and due to Coivd 19 restrictions will not need returned.

The local rule for competitions and general play regarding mandatory mats is as follows:

‘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 ball must be lifted, placed on and played from an Astroturf or similar type of mat. The mat must be placed as near as possible to where the ball originally lay, and the ball must be placed on the mat. The ball may be cleaned when lifted. 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 player accidentally causes the ball on the mat to move 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.’

Graham Callander - General Manager