Creating a ramp with a Spurk golf mat.

[Colin L]

A little bit of asking at my place confirmed that mats are currently not allowed in competition / qualifier rounds - except in the specific case of knockouts, when mats can be used if ALL players in the match agree. Plus as mats are therefore (mainly) only used in casual golf it matters not if a player 'creates a ramp' with a Spurk mat. If players use them in a KO match then it seems that it is left up to the match how they might use a mat - as long as all players agree.

Interestingly (perhaps) given this winter period is the first we've tried mats on the course so is considered a trial period...feedback is that lower handicappers like using a mat more than higher handicappers - with the reason being thought to be that the lower handicapper has more control over the bottom of his swing and so can more better accommodate the height change presented by the mat. Higher handicappers, it seems, are much more likely to be hitting the mat 'heavy'.

And though it hasn't been implemented this winter - if we decide to formalize use of mats next winter we may make the use of a mat mandatory on one of our holes - a short dog leg par 4 that suffers a LOT of divot damage in the dogleg over winter - with the use of a mate being mandatory for shots being played from an area of the dogleg (tbd). This approach to mat use has in fact been implemented on four holes of a very well known club near to us. In each case a small number of mats are made available in the proximity for players who don't have their own to use.

Since the sole purpose of using fairway mats is to protect the course so that you start the new season with it in good divot hole free condition, I don't get the idea of using them only in social golf. Why only reduce damage when you can eliminate it? By the way, what is. there in shortening your grip slightly to accommodate the height of a mat that is more difficult for the high handicapper?

Just curious.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Since the sole purpose of using fairway mats is to protect the course so that you start the new season with it in good divot hole free condition, I don't get the idea of using them only in social golf. Why only reduce damage when you can eliminate it? By the way, what is. there in shortening your grip slightly to accommodate the height of a mat that is more difficult for the high handicapper?

Just curious.

We are currently only trialling their use. The club has sold quite a few to members - I guess it’s going to see if their use has helped the fairways and how many have actually used them. And on the high/low handicap difference. Yes you’d have thought it wouldn’t be that difficult for anyone to adjust their grip so that their swing low point was consistent with the mat. But apparently feedback has suggested at least some higher handicappers find otherwise

 

[PaulMdj]

A little bit of asking at my place confirmed that mats are currently not allowed in competition / qualifier rounds - except in the specific case of knockouts, when mats can be used if ALL players in the match agree. Plus as mats are therefore (mainly) only used in casual golf it matters not if a player 'creates a ramp' with a Spurk mat. If players use them in a KO match then it seems that it is left up to the match how they might use a mat - as long as all players agree.

Interestingly (perhaps) given this winter period is the first we've tried mats on the course so is considered a trial period...feedback is that lower handicappers like using a mat more than higher handicappers - with the reason being thought to be that the lower handicapper has more control over the bottom of his swing and so can more better accommodate the height change presented by the mat. Higher handicappers, it seems, are much more likely to be hitting the mat 'heavy'.

And though it hasn't been implemented this winter - if we decide to formalize use of mats next winter we may make the use of a mat mandatory on one of our holes - a short dog leg par 4 that suffers a LOT of divot damage in the dogleg over winter - with the use of a mate being mandatory for shots being played from an area of the dogleg (tbd). This approach to mat use has in fact been implemented on four holes of a very well known club near to us. In each case a small number of mats are made available in the proximity for players who don't have their own to use.

That’s a entirely a Club decision as as I’m sure you aware Clubs can use mats and still hold qualifiers.

 

[Mel Smooth]

That’s a entirely a Club decision as as I’m sure you aware Clubs can use mats and still hold qualifiers.

Mats were required at The Hotchkin when we played there the other week, and you could submit qualifying scores, and that's the home of England Golf, so if it's good enough for them....

 

[Colin L]

We are currently only trialling their use. The club has sold quite a few to members - I guess it’s going to see if their use has helped the fairways and how many have actually used them. And on the high/low handicap difference. Yes you’d have thought it wouldn’t be that difficult for anyone to adjust their grip so that their swing low point was consistent with the mat. But apparently feedback has suggested at least some higher handicappers find otherwise

If your guys saw the excellent condition my own course is in right now with mandatory mats throughout the winter, they might jalouse that there is no need for a trial to find out what is already well established! We are even encouraged to use them throughout the general area in social golf which makes a difference to the first cut, for example.

As to higher handicappers, my problem with shortening my grip for the mat is the age-related matter of remembering to do it. The dull thwack of club to mat is a reminder too late.

 

[PaulMdj]

If your guys saw the excellent condition my own course is in right now with mandatory mats throughout the winter, they might jalouse that there is no need for a trial to find out what is already well established! We are even encouraged to use them throughout the general area in social golf which makes a difference to the first cut, for example.

As to higher handicappers, my problem with shortening my grip for the mat is the age-related matter of remembering to do it. The dull thwack of club to mat is a reminder too late.

This all day long, we introduced them about 4-5yrs back and initially there was a lot of resistance, that soon stopped once members saw the benefits.

Some Clubs just need to bite the bullet and go for it all in.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Mats will always been dependent on the soil type and location

Parklands down south won’t have too much of a need for them , links courses very much so , we have recovered well in most areas

But I wouldn’t have an issue if we looked at using mats

Still don’t think they should be used for any HC qualifying etc

 

[Colin L]

Mats will always been dependent on the soil type and location

Parklands down south won’t have too much of a need for them , links courses very much so , we have recovered well in most areas

But I wouldn’t have an issue if we looked at using mats

Still don’t think they should be used for any HC qualifying etc

That's interesting. Does turf heal throughout the winter in the south?

 

[clubchamp98]

Since the sole purpose of using fairway mats is to protect the course so that you start the new season with it in good divot hole free condition, I don't get the idea of using them only in social golf. Why only reduce damage when you can eliminate it? By the way, what is. there in shortening your grip slightly to accommodate the height of a mat that is more difficult for the high handicapper?

Just curious.

My pp said
“ the grips thinner if you go down the grip ,and if you hit the mat it’s difficult to hold on.”
We had a chuckle, but thinking it actually does make sense in a way.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

That's interesting. Does turf heal throughout the winter in the south?

All depends on the winter , the soil etc

We seem to do ok each year and course is recovering

 

[clubchamp98]

This all day long, we introduced them about 4-5yrs back and initially there was a lot of resistance, that soon stopped once members saw the benefits.

Some Clubs just need to bite the bullet and go for it all in.

Yes we’ve done it this year and it makes a big difference.

 

[clubchamp98]

Mats were required at The Hotchkin when we played there the other week, and you could submit qualifying scores, and that's the home of England Golf, so if it's good enough for them....

Won’t be long before we can put a Q card in on a simulator the way golf’s going.

 

[D-S]

That's interesting. Does turf heal throughout the winter in the south?

I assume not but this winter the grass has continued to grow throughout, albeit slowly. Temperatures above 10c have been frequent which is warm enough for grass seed germination, it is forecast to be 17c this week.
Our fairways have been cut quite a few times this winter.
My lawn is really long now but it has been so wet I haven’t attempted to hack it but will hopefully give it a go this week.

 

[Swango1980]

Won’t be long before we can put a Q card in on a simulator the way golf’s going.

But what do you do if your ball is on a virtual slope, yet you are hitting off a flat mat!? Penalise yourself?

 

[Crazyface]

I've just got hold of some all weather tennis court stuff. Looks like the spurk things without the spikes. I used it the other day at my course. It's great on the flat. But our front nine is a tad hilly. How the hell do players with those mats keep balls on mats when on slopes. I had to put a blob of mud behind the ball to keep in on the mat. Very frustrating. So if someone is creating a ramp with it, it can't be much of one really or the ball rolls off

 

[Backache]

I've just got hold of some all weather tennis court stuff. Looks like the spurk things without the spikes. I used it the other day at my course. It's great on the flat. But our front nine is a tad hilly. How the hell do players with those mats keep balls on mats when on slopes. I had to put a blob of mud behind the ball to keep in on the mat. Very frustrating. So if someone is creating a ramp with it, it can't be much of one really or the ball rolls off

I think the title of the thread is a bit misleading creating a ramp implies creating a slope to launch it.
What is actually being talked about is using the spikes differentially to create a flatter lie to stop the ball rolling.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I've just got hold of some all weather tennis court stuff. Looks like the spurk things without the spikes. I used it the other day at my course. It's great on the flat. But our front nine is a tad hilly. How the hell do players with those mats keep balls on mats when on slopes. I had to put a blob of mud behind the ball to keep in on the mat. Very frustrating. So if someone is creating a ramp with it, it can't be much of one really or the ball rolls off

Aaaargh...

You move it to the nearest place not nearer the hole where your ball doesn't roll off.

Looking at our fairways today - they are in good nick all things considered. I don't know how many have been using mats. If we were to mandate mats there would be 'demands' for a vote - and so on. There are a lot of members who think the club should only do the things that suits them as a member.

 

[upsidedown]

Looking at our fairways today ,with voluntary mats ,with 2 cuts they're better than our carpets at home