Bored at Work Thread - Would a Golf Club Ever Ban Golf Shoes

[GB72]

Just a bit of a hypothetical one but can you see a time when a golf club bans golf shoes as being outside of the dress code. May sound mad but on and off course appearance seems very important to some clubs and, having looked at some of the more recent golf shoe releases, both spiked and not, they do really bear very little resemblance to what is traditionally seen as a golf shoe. In fact many of them would not be allowed anywhere near a few golf clubs if they were not described as a golf shoe. Some spikeless shoes seem no different to an astroturf trainer or a cricket shoe, both of which have similar design, the same sole but cost far less as they do not say ‘golf’ on them.
Don’t get me wrong, this is not a dig at modern shoes (I prefer them to the traditional look) nor at club dress codes (if the club wants to impose a dress code then that it their prerogative) but more an interested query as to whether shoe design is going too far away from what a golf shoe has traditionally been to the extent that it almost makes a mockery of the intention of some on and off course dress codes.
This may sound like a ridiculous suggestion but it was not that long ago that the club that I was a member of banned the collarless golf shirts that Tiger Woods was wearing as they did not comply with the on course dress code and despite the fact that they were golf shirts made by a golf brand and worn by the Number One Golfer.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

To be honest, so long as they didn't damage the course I can't see an issue, although I understand were you're coming from.

 

[chrisd]

We had the same discussion on the "Tiger" shirts some years ago and decided to allow them. The argument "for" basically revolved around "what good would it do to ban them" and we decided it would be difficult to police, be difficult with home club matches where the opposition club allowed them and lead to more arguments overall. I have felt that ordinary trainers would be fine in the summer and was contemplating just buying them and see what happens, I don't see any clubs as having the time, or will, to inspect everyone's shoes and they look and feel so alike anyway

 

[Capella]

Fashion changes over the years. That's as true in the world of golf as it is anywhere else. And there are always a few early adopters and a few traditionalists banging heads about it.

 

[jdpjamesp]

I'm of the school of thought that you should be allowed to wear whatever you like to play if you're comfortable and it doesn't damage the course.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Think the only time they would ban shoes ( and indeed have done ) is if they damage the greens - like a number of clubs have banned the Adizero's

Cargo shorts is one that seems to creat a discussion - there are now cargo shorts with pockets manufactured by Nike and Callaway etc - some clubs still ban cargo shorts

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I'm of the school of thought that you should be allowed to wear whatever you like to play if you're comfortable and it doesn't damage the course.

I'm also in this school but plenty of clubs are not. The new Footjoy shoes must be pushing the boundaries somewhat. I also wonder if you would now stop players playing in trainers as are the differences between them, the garish Footjoys and spikeless shoes that great any more? A good one for the traditionalists to get huffed and puffed about whilst the rest of us just go about enjoying the game.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Being honest I don't know of or have ever heard of a club banning the use of any specific golf shoes based on looks - including the trainer style spikeless - can't see the new FJ causing any issues as they are clearly golf shoes

 

[Dando]

during my cricketing days I used to get trainers spiked up (one pair with full spikes for bowling and another with dimples for batting) and I often wore them for golf as they were more comfortable. I never had any issues at clubs while wearing them

 

[WWG]

My club doesn't allow metal studs, albeit there are loads of members that just ignore the rule.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Think the ship has sailed too long ago for clubs to start banning golf shoes as they look too much like trainers. I agree that some of the current golf shoes would be 'traditionally' unacceptable if they did not have golf in the title of the shoe and are virtually identical to astro turf boots or trainers. But as the saying goes we are where we are, there's still plenty of choice so people can wear something else if they don't like them.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Fashion changes over the years. That's as true everywhere apart from in the world of golf as it is anywhere else. And there are always a few early adopters and a few traditionalists banging heads about it.

Corrected that for you