It's mats at Merion

Joe Logan from MyPhillyGolf.com, reports that in preparation for the 2013 U.S. Open at historic Merion Golf Club, members have been asked to hit off of artificial mats from the fairway for what Merion's Green Chairman Bob Rex told Logan was, "for divot control."

Logan reports:

The mats, which have been in use since October, are rectangular, about 5 inches wide by 15 inches long, with a little bulbous knob on the end.
 
It's a simple concept.  Each caddie at Merion, which is a walking-only course, carries a mat in the pouch of his caddie bib. By the time his player reaches his tee shot, the caddie has lifted, cleaned and placed his ball on the mat.
 
"They're just like something you’d find at the driving range," one Merion member said of the mats. "I actually find them easier to hit off of than turf."
 
Are members fuming over the inconvenience?  "There has been zero push back," said Rex.
 
"It's not the least bit controversial," confirmed the other Merion member. "You have to understand that Merion has a culture that we are a club that hosts major championships and in doing so, you have to make some sacrifices."

To read more about the mats at Merion from Logan, click here.