Creating a ramp with a Spurk golf mat.

[Orikoru]

It's funny that this debate has only taken off in mid March, shortly before we are hopefully back to normal fairways.

I guess some of us have either been quite content about how we and others have used the mats. Whilst others have been very troubled about a lack of information and guidance as to what rules apply, but have not been troubled enough to ask the question earlier in the winter.

I've was taken aback when I saw people use the cheap mat upside down. Some even stuck it in the hole to stop it rolling about. Only becuase I wouldn't have thought about that if I used that mat. However, I had no concerns about it. We are in the preferred lies period. Even without mats, everyone is allowed to give themselved the best possible lie they can find within the relief area. So if mats must be used, as long as the mat is on the ground and the ball is on the mat, I really have no concern how they decide to use it. They can have it flat. They can have it angled up to be a "ramp" (although I'd not sure how that helps a lot, but each to their own). And I'll continue to think that until the authorities document otherwise.

I've still never in my life been at any course where using mats has been a thing.

 

[IanM]

I've still never in my life been at any course where using mats has been a thing.

Scotland's worst export! Crept south recently.

Actually not as bad as you might think. I think trudging through muck on a course that wouldn't be open it it was for mats, is worse than using the actual mat.

 

[PaulMdj]

4.3a

Allowed and Prohibited Uses of Equipment​

A player may use equipment to help their play during a round, except that a player must not create a potential advantage by:

• Using equipment (other than a club or a ball) that artificially eliminates or reduces the need for a skill or judgment that is essential to the challenge of the game, or
• Using equipment (including a club or a ball) in an abnormal way in making a stroke. “Abnormal way” means a way that is fundamentally different than its intended use and is not normally recognized as part of playing the game.

Maybe because the mat with the hollowed bit to prevent the ball rolling is being used as intended, whereas using the prongs on one end of a Spurk mat to provide an artificially level lie is creating an advantage by using it in a way other than is intended.

But the manafacturer is not the Authoriy on Golf and its rules, nowhere on the instructions for the spurk does it say all 6 spurs must be pushed into the ground an equal amount.

I’m not sure if you own or have used a spurk mat, but sometimes even on what appears to be a level fairway one side or end of the spurk mat needs to be raised or lowered as the mat is smooth and the fairway is not.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

@Swango1980 , using the mat upside down, classic Taskmaster approach

 

[RichA]

But the manafacturer is not the Authoriy on Golf and its rules, nowhere on the instructions for the spurk does it say all 6 spurs must be pushed into the ground an equal amount.

I’m not sure if you own or have used a spurk mat, but sometimes even on what appears to be a level fairway one side or end of the spurk mat needs to be raised or lowered as the mat is smooth and the fairway is not.

From Spurk website…
“Our patented golf mats benefit from a unique design, with a rigid body and 6 spikes that lock into the grass at an angle, providing a consistent stable surface and resulting in a strike without compromise.”

Looks like leaving any of the spikes out of the ground is not using it as intended. If the surface is too smooth for the ball to stay put on an incline then maybe their long pile mat is a better option for hilly courses than the short pile mat.

Fortunately, mats aren’t a thing at any of my local courses. We’d need a mat that replicates mud rather than grass.

 

[nickjdavis]

Surely the solution to the ball rolling off when on a slope is to buy the Spurk "long pile" mat ?

I've never used a mat, but over the last couple of days am feeling increasingly compelled to buy a mat, so I can contribute meaningfully to the discussion....but now I find there are two versions.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

If the ball keeps rolling then you just move the mat to somewhere that stops the ball from rolling - ie a flatter area

 

[woofers]

From Spurk website…
“Our patented golf mats benefit from a unique design, with a rigid body and 6 spikes that lock into the grass at an angle, providing a consistent stable surface and resulting in a strike without compromise.”

Looks like leaving any of the spikes out of the ground is not using it as intended.

Certainly something to be considered in line with rule 4.3a and this thread title does start with “Creating a ramp….” which perhaps indicates a use that is not normal?

 

[Voyager EMH]

I've been thinking about the possibility of a ball rolling up to and resting against a tree root. Preferred lies allows you to replace a few inches behind the tree root.
But the placing of a Spurk fairway mat behind the tree root elevates the ball considerably making the tree root less of an obstacle to get over.
Of course anyone who finds themself in this position will be able to do the same, so no one person is gaining an advantage over another.
The same goes for tilting the mat slightly. Everyone can do it so no one person gains an advantage over another.
Sidehill lie ball above the feet - press mat down well. Sidehill lie ball below feet - rest mat gently on the ground. Advantage being gained. But is it "unfairly" when everyone can do it.

The only issue, for me, is qualifying scores being allowed with these advantages.
The issue of "lie" of ball need not be considered, because the clear and obvious alignment aid should negate qualifying scores. (end of...)

Jet plane on a conveyor was far more interesting.

 

[woofers]

If the ball keeps rolling then you just move the mat to somewhere that stops the ball from rolling - ie a flatter area

I think some of us know that, others think you can bend, raise and adjust the mat to stop the ball rolling.

 

[clubchamp98]

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

Creating a ramp to lessen a slope.

 

[clubchamp98]

I've been thinking about the possibility of a ball rolling up to and resting against a tree root. Preferred lies allows you to replace a few inches behind the tree root.
But the placing of a Spurk fairway mat behind the tree root elevates the ball considerably making the tree root less of an obstacle to get over.
Of course anyone who finds themself in this position will be able to do the same, so no one person is gaining an advantage over another.
The same goes for tilting the mat slightly. Everyone can do it so no one person gains an advantage over another.
Sidehill lie ball above the feet - press mat down well. Sidehill lie ball below feet - rest mat gently on the ground. Advantage being gained. But is it "unfairly" when everyone can do it.

The only issue, for me, is qualifying scores being allowed with these advantages.
The issue of "lie" of ball need not be considered, because the clear and obvious alignment aid should negate qualifying scores. (end of...)

Jet plane on a conveyor was far more interesting.

Shouldn’t be many tree roots in the cut areas that a mat is used!

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Creating a ramp to lessen a slope.

So the slope has been lessened to stop the ball rolling

Which rule does it break

 

[clubchamp98]

So the slope has been lessened to stop the ball rolling

Which rule does it break

You didn’t think it an issue earlier.
Now your interested

MLR E-12 as explained by a golf referee.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

You didn’t think it an issue earlier.
Now your interested

MLR E-12 as explained by a golf referee.

Still can’t see the issue

The mat is used to stop the ball moving

What do you do when the ball is placed in a spot and it doesn’t stop moving

The use of a mat is intending to give you an improved lie due to inconsistent ground conditions

Using a mat in a way to stop the ball rolling is ok surely

 

[PaulMdj]

From Spurk website…
“Our patented golf mats benefit from a unique design, with a rigid body and 6 spikes that lock into the grass at an angle, providing a consistent stable surface and resulting in a strike without compromise.”

Looks like leaving any of the spikes out of the ground is not using it as intended. If the surface is too smooth for the ball to stay put on an incline then maybe their long pile mat is a better option for hilly courses than the short pile mat.

Fortunately, mats aren’t a thing at any of my local courses. We’d need a mat that replicates mud rather than grass.

Again though, it doesn’t say at the same depth! Having 3 spikes on one side fully pressed in and the 3 on the opposite only halfway in to make the mat level is not cheating or trying to gain an advantage it is simply to make the ball playable.

 

[PaulMdj]

Creating a ramp to lessen a slope.

Is that any different to someone teeing it up at the rear of the plastic mat to get a cleaner strike?

 

[clubchamp98]

Still can’t see the issue

The mat is used to stop the ball moving

What do you do when the ball is placed in a spot and it doesn’t stop moving

The use of a mat is intending to give you an improved lie due to inconsistent ground conditions

Using a mat in a way to stop the ball rolling is ok surely

That’s not what you said in post #107

If the ball keeps rolling then you just move the mat to somewhere that stops the ball from rolling - ie a flatter area

 

[PaulMdj]

I think some of us know that, others think you can bend, raise and adjust the mat to stop the ball rolling.

No, one thing though the spurk mats are rigid and can’t be bent, you can however push the spikes in at different heights to keep the ball in place, no different to the plastic mats in that respect, those can however, be bent twisted etc to try and gain an advantage, which is against the rules and hopefully Clubs have put that in a local rule to remind members not to do it.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

That’s not what you said in post #107

What difference does it make ?

Is the issue the fact the player has a better lie and has reduced the slope