From Nationalclubgolfer · Steve Carroll · · 40s
Fairway Mat Lines Rule Explained
Fairway mats with alignment lines are banned under golf rules to prevent cheating.
In brief
Fairway mats with alignment lines are banned under golf rules to prevent cheating. Golf rules prohibit fairway mats with center lines as they act as alignment aids. Originally reported by Nationalclubgolfer.
Fairway mats becoming popular
Golf clubs increasingly use fairway mats to protect turf during winter weather, enforcing their use in areas cut to fairway height or less.
Rule on fairway mats
Model Local Rule E-12 requires mats but forbids using tees to secure mats into the ground.
Alignment lines prohibited
England Golf states fairway mats must be plain without lines that help alignment as they would be considered training aids.
“the mats should be plain and may not have lines which help with alignment as they would then be considered a training aid”
The headline
Golf rules prohibit fairway mats with center lines as they act as alignment aids.
