It is indeed, a symptom of waterlogged/compacted soil.
RHS advice below
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/profile?PID=414

Thank you klahanie I looked up Peltigera canina and yes it looks like that . Yes Seaburngirl it is very wet but on a step slope it has a lot of moss and does not get sun as its north front of house .

Might be worth replacing the lawn with something that likes wet shade conditions as the problem will not go away unless you put land drains under the grass.. Not joking but have you considered going over completely to a moss lawn? Of course you might have trouble in a drought but you can't win 'em all.
There is some info on line if you are interested.