clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
My original question.
Can you place the mat front lugs in the ground back lugs not in the ground to negate a slope.?
Creating a ramp with a Spurk golf mat.
- Thread starter clubchamp98
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Can you place the mat front lugs in the ground back lugs not in the ground to negate a slope.?
Swango1980
Well-known member
Many people have said yes. Has anybody said no?
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
I'm sure that in the previous long discussion on the matter (sorry
), I got to understand that you couldn't - that the mat had to be used in the way it was intended - so for instance that the spikes on the base of a Spurk were for the purpose of grip and so couldn't be used as a leveling mechanism. I may well be misremembering.
IanM
Journeyman Pro
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Surely if the lugs on a Spurk are not fully pressed in, when you hit the ball, they will be? (Unless you thin it!)
Savage over thinking going on.
Savage over thinking going on.
The Squirrel
Well-known member
I work on a helpline as a volunteer. One common phenomenon we encounter is that callers will phone repeatedly asking the same question when the answer they got the first time was not the one they wanted to hear.
They don’t want the actual answer; they want someone to tell them they were right.
These threads are exactly like that now…
IanM
Journeyman Pro
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I'm not fully awake yet, but on first glance I thought you worked on a Spurk Helpline!
Given the number of posts, maybe there should be.
Given the number of posts, maybe there should be.
Swango1980
Well-known member
Some have said they THINK that is the answer, without ever providing any documentation to back it up. And as someone pointed out, do the authorities really need to write up a big list of everything you CAN do? Of it was strictly prohibited, then you can guarantee that it will be written up somewhere. Not hidden away, and leaving thousands of golfers to guess.I'm sure that in the previous long discussion on the matter (sorry
Orikoru
Tour Winner
There is obviously no categorical right or wrong here, it is open to interpretation as we suspected in the first place. Not very satisfying, but that's the only answer we're going to get. I'm sticking with my view that I would try everything to get the ball to stay on the mat before considering moving the mat to a new location - which includes tilting it slightly.
PaulMdj
Well-known member
Nowhere as anybody said or shown were it is stipulated all 6 spurs are to put into the ground at the same depth.I'm sure that in the previous long discussion on the matter (sorry
I really don’t understand the issue, it’s actually a bit of a bind to get the spurk level at times as the surface is smooth, contrast that to the plastic one pictured previously in the thread and that has an actual hollow specifically designed to hold the ball on a slope, but that is somehow OK.
Swango1980
Well-known member
Is something only correct if it is written down?
I'm of the opinion that it is absolutely allowed for a fairway mat to not be perfectluy parallel to the ground, because if it wasn't, then the authorities would make it extremely clear.
There is also no rule that says the fairway mat cannot be lined up with the target, and therefore it is my belief that this is also absolutely allowed. However, if somebody started a thread "Lining up the fairway mat with the target, is it allowed?", would we have pages and pages of opinions saying yes and no, simply because there is no documents giving us a definitive answer?
I'm pleased I didn't buy a spurk mat #mademyown
Oh, and I absolutely do line it up in the direction I am taking my shot, why wouldn't you?
Oh, and I absolutely do line it up in the direction I am taking my shot, why wouldn't you?
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Lining up the mat to the target is the only logical way to have it. Why wouldn't you do that? That's the path the club would be swinging on so obviously you put it in line to the target.
Swango1980
Well-known member
Indeed, very logical, isn't it? Just like flattening the mat on a slope to stop your ball rolling off?
I don't need the R&A or England Golf to confirm either of these things for me
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
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
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
rulie
Head Pro
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.
Backache
Assistant Pro
I actually think you may be in more trouble if you did make a point of adjusting your mat for alignment because there is a rule specifically stopping you from doing that with objects.
Setting down object to help with aiming, taking stance or swinging
You must not set an object down to help with aiming or to help in taking a stance for the stroke to be made (such as a club set down on the ground to show where you should aim or position your feet).“Set an object down” means that the object is in contact with the ground and you are not touching the object.If you breach this Rule, you cannot avoid penalty by removing the object before you make your stroke.This Rule also applies to taking an action for a similar purpose, such as you putting a mark in sand or dew to help with your swing.
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
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.
woofers
Medal Winner
Indeed, have a look at page 4 of the EG Adverse / Extreme Weather Conditions guidance document where it shows a drawing of a fairway mat and the clubhead path, in my opinion being along the line of target.
But also note it states that “Fairway mats with alignment lines may not be used as this would be considered a training aid”. So you could use the edge of the mat to help line up your shot, but not one with a line down the middle.
But also note it states that “Fairway mats with alignment lines may not be used as this would be considered a training aid”. So you could use the edge of the mat to help line up your shot, but not one with a line down the middle.
Backache
Assistant Pro
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.
