Using a mat to gain an advantage.

KenL

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Odd I should see this, a PP today borrowed one from the shop. It was one of those mats that has lugs on the underside to help grip the ground. However. He used it with the back of the mat lugs in the ground and the front of the mats lugs standing proud. Basically the Mat was used as a teed up launch mat with the ball at the front.. And the only club he used was the driver. And he always smoked it.
At the end of the round, he went in and bought one.
Wish you’d taken a picture.
 

D-S

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Odd I should see this, a PP today borrowed one from the shop. It was one of those mats that has lugs on the underside to help grip the ground. However. He used it with the back of the mat lugs in the ground and the front of the mats lugs standing proud. Basically the Mat was used as a teed up launch mat with the ball at the front.. And the only club he used was the driver. And he always smoked it.
At the end of the round, he went in and bought one.
How did the ball stay on the mat, wouldn’t it just roll off?
 

D-S

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I’ve never played off a mat on a course, it is a rarity in these parts but with wetter winters it is beginning to be seen.
However if you can use it to fundamentally alter the lie and therefore play a totally different club than otherwise, isn’t it then an absolute mockery to play ‘qualifying’ golf when they are being used?
I understand that as everyone has the same opportunity, then you could in theory play competitions but ‘qualifying’?
 

PaulMdj

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I’ve never played off a mat on a course, it is a rarity in these parts but with wetter winters it is beginning to be seen.
However if you can use it to fundamentally alter the lie and therefore play a totally different club than otherwise, isn’t it then an absolute mockery to play ‘qualifying’ golf when they are being used?
I understand that as everyone has the same opportunity, then you could in theory play competitions but ‘qualifying’?
But even using it “normally” you are altering the lie and can play a totally different club, ie, bare lie on the fairway, probably using a 7 or 8 iron to play it bump and run. Nice, perfect lie on the mat, I’ll use a wedge.
 

KenL

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We’ve been using winter mats at my club for years so feel able to comment.

There are some advantages such as using a mat to pitch over a bunker or never having to play out of a fairway divot.

The flip side is that the long game, especially into the wind is more difficult. You get ridiculous levels of spin from long clubs so long par 4s are more more difficult to reach. Side spin is also accentuated.

So, not a win win situation.
 

Canfordhacker

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Slightly different side of this. We have been told that mats cannot be used in qualifying comps or handicap rounds, despite the desire to protect the course. Guidance has been sought from appropriate authorities, and as it is seen as an advantage to use one and the club cannot provide for everybody, therefore we cannot use the local rule. Thoughts?
 

2blue

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The front of it has a little dimple it can sit in
It sounds as though it's the Spurk mat & NO it doesn't. Can be tilted to level it on a cross fairway or make a bit of a launce platform to us the driver but still does require quite a measure of skill so is hardly the 'cheat' you're trying to imply.
It's the best mat by miles & I've used them all. Turns a dingy winter round into a more pleasurable round. G#iven the conditions in winter it has little impact on the seasonal H/cap.
 

upsidedown

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It sounds as though it's the Spurk mat & NO it doesn't. Can be tilted to level it on a cross fairway or make a bit of a launce platform to us the driver but still does require quite a measure of skill so is hardly the 'cheat' you're trying to imply.
It's the best mat by miles & I've used them all. Turns a dingy winter round into a more pleasurable round. G#iven the conditions in winter it has little impact on the seasonal H/cap.
Yes it does ,because I have one and have to show other folks who have one where the dimple/hole is ..Where the tee peg goes through
 

KenL

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Slightly different side of this. We have been told that mats cannot be used in qualifying comps or handicap rounds, despite the desire to protect the course. Guidance has been sought from appropriate authorities, and as it is seen as an advantage to use one and the club cannot provide for everybody, therefore we cannot use the local rule. Thoughts?
There is guidance that says you can use a mat from parts of the course cut to fairway height or less.
No reason for your club to take this position unless you have other changes to the course such as length or more than 2 temp greens.
 

2blue

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Slightly different side of this. We have been told that mats cannot be used in qualifying comps or handicap rounds, despite the desire to protect the course. Guidance has been sought from appropriate authorities, and as it is seen as an advantage to use one and the club cannot provide for everybody, therefore we cannot use the local rule. Thoughts?
Who would this be then?
 

PaulMdj

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It sounds as though it's the Spurk mat & NO it doesn't. Can be tilted to level it on a cross fairway or make a bit of a launce platform to us the driver but still does require quite a measure of skill so is hardly the 'cheat' you're trying to imply.
It's the best mat by miles & I've used them all. Turns a dingy winter round into a more pleasurable round. G#iven the conditions in winter it has little impact on the seasonal H/cap.
It’s this one mate, the one upsidedown linked to, you can see on the photo the 2 sides, the smooth side has the dimple.👍🏻
IMG_7127.jpeg
 

Voyager EMH

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I used a Spurk mat for the first time yesterday. Bought it in the pro-shop just before teeing off and I've never used such a thing before.

I was very aware, from the first go, what a very unfair advantage it gave with alignment.

Giving yourself two parallel lines, either side of the ball, aimed at target.
 

Beezerk

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Me and Kraxx saw a couple of players using them down our first hole on Saturday. First lad threw his mat down about 2 ft in front of where his ball was. Second guy had his ball right up against a tree, no way he had a shot, he just put his mat about a foot to the side of the tree and hit it from there. Hopefully they weren’t playing in the winter league 😬
 
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