Spike marks

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TobieC

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Just watched Robert Karlsson have a putt on 18 clearly affected by a spike mark. Perhaps ironic because he was wearing spikes himself but it got me thinking, is it not a bit selfish of players to wear spikes, especially on what is clearly a nice dry course in Abu Dhabi? They surely do more damage to greens than softspikes, is there any reason players should be wearing spikes nowadays?
 
Think it possibly is selfish seems strange that some need metal spikes and other are taking to street shoes with moulded soles?

Could be an argument for banning all metal spikes?
 
With metal spikes you have almost chance of slipping, hence some try to take no risks at all.

Tiger changed to soft spikes with the new shoes he started wearing last year. He was always a metal spike guy.
 
I think it needs to be one or the other. Either ban metal spikes for all the pros or let them wear them and be allowed to repair them. It was clear what was going to happen and unfair on Karlsson for playing at the back end of the field. I've no problem with a guy losing shots through a bad shot but not being able to potentially hole out because of the "rub of the green" seems against the essence of the game to me
 
HomerJSimpson said:
I think it needs to be one or the other. Either ban metal spikes for all the pros or let them wear them and be allowed to repair them. It was clear what was going to happen and unfair on Karlsson for playing at the back end of the field. I've no problem with a guy losing shots through a bad shot but not being able to potentially hole out because of the "rub of the green" seems against the essence of the game to me
Click to expand...

But surely "rub of the green" is at the very heart of the game. Would we be having this discussion if he had managed to hole out with the ball taking a bit of a deflection OFF a spike mark?
 
I guess the reason the rule is there is to stop people taking weeks to decide what is and isn't a spike mark.
You can tell if a blemish or slight depression in the green is the result of a pitchmark and you can repair that but anything else - NO...it would take forever. You'd have to get the Referee involved practically on every green.
 
Not being able to tap down spike marks when you're on the green is an unjustifiable rule IMO. I don't know what advantage is being gained as it is the green and should be even.

Using a spike mark to ease your ball into the hole is something no golfer should have to factor into their shot.
 
Yer Maw said:
Not being able to tap down spike marks when you're on the green is an unjustifiable rule IMO. I don't know what advantage is being gained as it is the green and should be even.

Using a spike mark to ease your ball into the hole is something no golfer should have to factor into their shot.
Click to expand...

A similar thing could be said about divots on the fairway. What is and what isn't a divot...?
Too open to abuse.....
 
Imurg said:
I guess the reason the rule is there is to stop people taking weeks to decide what is and isn't a spike mark.
You can tell if a blemish or slight depression in the green is the result of a pitchmark and you can repair that but anything else - NO...it would take forever. You'd have to get the Referee involved practically on every green.
Click to expand...

But not if you were allowed to tap down spike marks etc. If it is sticking up on your line then tap it down. Can you repair pitch marks on your line? (Genuine question)
 
Imurg said:
I guess the reason the rule is there is to stop people taking weeks to decide what is and isn't a spike mark.
You can tell if a blemish or slight depression in the green is the result of a pitchmark and you can repair that but anything else - NO...it would take forever. You'd have to get the Referee involved practically on every green.
Click to expand...

Yes and no. You make a good point but...

What is an old pitch mark? It seems a little unfair that pitch marks can be repaired but not spike marks.
 
I have the same shoes as tiger, different colour though, and they will take spikes.

As for tapping spike marks own, what, are we going to give them a roller, to roll out along the line of their putt? No, it is the rub of the green. Saw karlssons putt, knew it would bobble off, felt a bit sorry for him, but that is golf. Tough.

Back in the day you couldn't lift a ball plugged on the green. At least we have moved on from that!
 
What if the "spike mark" wasn't actually caused by a spike?

What if. accidentally, the previous group made a mark putting the flag back in - are you going to allow that too?
It's defining what is and isn't a spikemark that's the problem....

Why not just make all putting greens perfectly flat and smooth to make it easier....
 
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