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Can my fairway mat have lines on it?

As winter golf courses increasingly turn to fairway mats to preserve turf, a growing debate has emerged over whether these mats can feature alignment aids. While many clubs now mandate their use under Local Rule E-12, the Rules of Golf remain sparse on specifics—only prohibiting balls from being placed on tees used to secure the mat.

However, Rule 4.3a(6) explicitly bans training aids that alter a player’s stroke preparation, including alignment. England Golf’s Adverse/Extreme Reference Guide clarifies that mats must be plain, as any lines would constitute an unfair advantage by aiding alignment.

The ruling underscores the fine line between practicality and rule compliance as golfers adapt to winter course conditions, with handicap scores still permissible even when mats are compulsory.

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