Creating a ramp with a Spurk golf mat.

[rulie]

There is no mention of how he mat is to be placed in the local rule to keep the ball on it.

I believe that is on purpose as there are many different varities of mat and it would be impossible for the local rule to cover them all.

But the Local Rule does outline what to do if the ball won't stay on the mat and it seems very straight-forward.
"If a ball when placed rolls off the mat, the player must try to place it a second time. If the ball again does not stay on the mat, the mat must be moved to the nearest spot, not nearer the hole, where the ball will come to rest on the mat when placed."

 

[rulie]

Does anyone think Rule 4.3a Allowed and Prohibited Uses of Equipment, (must not use equipment to create a potential advantage), might be relevant to this discussion?

Yes, it is very relevant! Just follow the Rules and Local Rules.

 

[Orikoru]

But the Local Rule does outline what to do if the ball won't stay on the mat and it seems very straight-forward.
"If a ball when placed rolls off the mat, the player must try to place it a second time. If the ball again does not stay on the mat, the mat must be moved to the nearest spot, not nearer the hole, where the ball will come to rest on the mat when placed."

So the nearest spot might be exactly where it is now, as long as you leave one corner of it not quite affixed in the ground. So, fine to do that?

 

[PaulMdj]

But the Local Rule does outline what to do if the ball won't stay on the mat and it seems very straight-forward.
"If a ball when placed rolls off the mat, the player must try to place it a second time. If the ball again does not stay on the mat, the mat must be moved to the nearest spot, not nearer the hole, where the ball will come to rest on the mat when placed."

And I agree, that is straightforward, but as I said before there are many variations of mats that can be used and will respind differently to differing slopes.

 

[DickInShorts]

That seems tob e breaking the rule

Of course I suspect the rule was written before Spurk mats were available

 

[rulie]

So the nearest spot might be exactly where it is now, as long as you leave one corner of it not quite affixed in the ground. So, fine to do that?

Why would you it that way? (See woofers post above)

 

[rulie]

That seems tob e breaking the rule

Of course I suspect the rule was written before Spurk mats were available

Don't know that, but the MLR under discussion wasn't in the Official Guide until January 2023.

 

[clubchamp98]

Why just Spurk Mats? Surely if you are genuinely concerned about the issue you should be questioning all mats that can be used in this way?

Any mat !
Just thought it might stop any confusion with ones that don’t have the lugs on.

 

[Orikoru]

Why would you it that way? (See woofers post above)

All it says is position the mat as close to the original lie of the ball as possible, where the ball will not fall off it. So my priority would be to do just that - have it as close as possible to where the ball actually was. It does not say the mat has to perfectly match the slope of the ground beneath it.

 

[clubchamp98]

Yes, I can.

But would you ?

 

[rulie]

All it says is position the mat as close to the original lie of the ball as possible, where the ball will not fall off it. So my priority would be to do just that - have it as close as possible to where the ball actually was. It does not say the mat has to perfectly match the slope of the ground beneath it.

Any intent to gain an advantage by doing so?

 

[Orikoru]

Any intent to gain an advantage by doing so?

No, if anything the total opposite, since moving to a larger flat area would give you an advantage.

 

[jim8flog]

Does anyone think Rule 4.3a Allowed and Prohibited Uses of Equipment, (must not use equipment to create a potential advantage), might be relevant to this discussion?

Surely just using a mat in the first instance creates a potential advantage. There are lots of areas on our fairways where there is no grass within 6" of where it lies.

 

[PaulMdj]

Any intent to gain an advantage by doing so?

Surely the only intent is to protect the course?

Using the mat as directed is then to place the ball on it as near as the ball has come to rest.

If then you are suggesti g people should move the ball to the side the course off the fairways will take a battering and goes against the whole point of protecting the course.

Surely the use of mats gives everybody a level playing field, each type of mat has its own advantage and I genuinely believe people are looking for answer to a problem that doesn’t exist.

 

[PaulMdj]

Any mat !
Just thought it might stop any confusion with ones that don’t have the lugs on.

The cheap plastic ones you can put the ball on the rear plugs and the ball is literally teed up for every shot!

Is that within the spirit of the game?

 

[PaulMdj]

Does anyone think Rule 4.3a Allowed and Prohibited Uses of Equipment, (must not use equipment to create a potential advantage), might be relevant to this discussion?

No, as the mats have been approved for use and are available to everyone.

 

[rulie]

No, if anything the total opposite, since moving to a larger flat area would give you an advantage.

Following the Rules is not considered gaining an advantage.

 

[PaulMdj]

Following the Rules is not considered gaining an advantage.

The use of mats is within the rules.

 

[rulie]

No, as the mats have been approved for use and are available to everyone.

Is there an "approved/conforming mat list" somewhere?

 

[Red scorpion]

Just follow the directions in the Model Local Rule, it's quite clear (imo). And note the penalty statement.