Creating a ramp with a Spurk golf mat.

[rulie]

Well although you don’t really say “no you can’t do it”

That to me means No !

You didn't answer the questions?
And your answers will be required to form the referee's outcome.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Many have said yes to their interpretation of MLR E-12.

I was hoping one of the rules experts would put it to bed but they have only quoted the MLR which imho is wide open to interpretation.

What is the issue at the end of th day ?

Someone adjust a mat to ensure the ball stays still

Using a mat to get a better lie

 

[Swango1980]

it’s just a Mat it already helps a player significantly by giving a player a perfect lie


IMO you shouldn’t play off comps using a mat but that’s just my opinion

Surely the course still needs to be protected during competitions? And given the competitions are likely to be pretty relaxed off-season comps to keep the swing going over the winter, does it really matter if mats are used? It is the same for everyone. It is not like clubs play their club champs in the winter.

 

[rulie]

A questioning technique that I was taught to help identify the root cause of an issue was to ask "Why?" five times. And further advice, never try that with your spouse.

 

[Orikoru]

There isn't as far as I can see a procedure in the rule to stop the ball rolling off the mat. There is a procedure of what to do if the ball rolls off the mat twice , a slightly different situation than stopping the ball from rolling in the first place.

Exactly that. The rule says what to do if the ball won't stay on the mat. It does not however tell you what lengths you can go to to try and make it stay on the mat before you take the next course of action.

 

[clubchamp98]

Let me ask a couple questions - why are you doing that? Is it to stop the ball from rolling off the mat if you didn't do it? If so, there's already a procedure in the Local Rule to deal with that. Is it because you are creating a potential advantage for yourself? If so, that's perhaps a breach of Rule 4.3a (using equipment (other than a club or a ball) that artificially eliminates or reduces the need for a skill or judgement that is essential to the challenge of the game). Or, is there another reason for this action?
These are questions a referee would likely ask the player if he or she were called for a ruling.

It wasn’t me but here we go.

1 Yes it was
2 yes he reduced the upslope he had to play from
3 he thinks it’s ok in his interpretation of MLR E-12

 

[clubchamp98]

What is the issue at the end of th day ?

Someone adjust a mat to ensure the ball stays still

Using a mat to get a better lie

It’s a discussion about an incident at the club Saturday.
I thought you liked a discussion

 

[rulie]

It wasn’t me but here we go.

1 Yes it was
2 yes he reduced the upslope he had to play from
3 he thinks it’s ok in his interpretation of MLR E-12

Ah, "asking for a friend"?
Well, imo, he's wrong on all three counts. It's not his interpretation of MLR E-12 that matters, it's the referee's interpretation.

I'm going for lunch today with a group of golfing buddies, we call ourselves the "grumpy old men". Maybe you want to join us?

 

[clubchamp98]

Ah, "asking for a friend"?
Well, imo, he's wrong on all three counts. It's not his interpretation of MLR E-12 that matters, it's the referee's interpretation.

I'm going for lunch today with a group of golfing buddies, we call ourselves the "grumpy old men". Maybe you want to join us?

Thank you but no.
I couldn’t stand all those questions before I get an answer!

So now we know when playing off mats in a comp always make sure you have a referee with you


It was in a comp so questions were asked.

 

[rulie]

Thank you but no.
I couldn’t stand all those questions before I get an answer!

So now we know when playing off mats in a comp always make sure you have a referee with you


It was in a comp so questions were asked.

The comp Committee needs to make the ruling based on the Rules and the player's actions and intent. The referee is part of that Committee.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

It’s a discussion about an incident at the club Saturday.
I thought you liked a discussion

But what’s the rule break ?

If the mat needed to be adjusted so the ball didn’t roll off then can’t see what is the issue

If the players mat position reduced the incline of the slop because of that what is the rule that’s broken ?

When playing preferred lies etc and you place a ball down on a slope and it keeps rolling then you move the ball to a spot where it’s still - is using the mat not essentially the same thing

 

[jim8flog]

Out of curiosity, how many clubs actually implement MLR E-12? Or do clubs use some other invented local rule?

We do not, although it has appeared in the suggestion book. Some in the swindle have taken to using one (they are the ones that put in to the suggestion book).

 

[Crazyface]

Honestly not even sure why he perceives that as helpful. If you gave me the choice between an uphill lie and a nice, flat one, I'd choose flat every time.

It's not really helpful at all. As I said, he only hits it about 120 with a driver. Big fella too. I think it's a psychological thing.