Spikes v. Soft Spikes?

[toonarmy]

No offence intended Homer and I think you're having a sense of humour bypass here.

I'm not seriously suggesting people are DUI on the course, merely linking balance issues with sobriety in time-honoured tradition.

No need to get upset by it as it's clearly not intended as either an insult or patronising.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Not having a sense of humour bypass but when you are lying in hospital for 3 weeks with two drips, cathetar bag and tube down your nose clearing out your stomach you realise that those late night lock ins at the local may not have been worth it. Makes you appreciate youu wife (don't have kids) parents and your health and happiness.

As for trying to convert so called dinosaurs "persimmon brigade" I'm afraid I find that a bit wide of the mark. As I said in my post I actually use the soft spikes in summer because I find them more comfortable. I choose to wear spikes not because of some antiquated notion of that being the correct thing to do, but because I find from my own preference, on my course, in winter conditions that they suit me better.

It was only last winter that Royal Ascot reallowed spikes to be worn. Why would a club make that decision if they thought it would be detrimental to the greens and tee boxes. Before that I had to wear soft spikes in winter and found I had far less purchase on tee shots and in particular when playing approach shots from very wet fairways and rough.

The thing with a forum is that people are entitled to their opinion. Just because somebody doesn't conform to the perceived norm, in this case wearing soft spikes in winter, it doesn't make them some kind of freak or dinosaur

 

[toonarmy]

Jesus, lighten up Homer!

I wasn't accusing you of anything! I was just wondering if any of the metal spike advocates were reluctant to change (much like many were when metal woods appeared) rather than having genuine issues with soft spikes. I'm personally not convinced that metal spikes give me any more grip than soft, but that's just my experience.

I couldn't give a toss whether people wear soft or metal. Clumsy inconsiderate walkers are going to do damage immaterial of what's underfoot. Likewise, careful floaters will do no damage.

I've no idea why you've taken this so personally. You're normally a bit more laid back. I would understand if I'd had a direct pop at you, but I wasn't having a pop at anyone, let alone you! Just trying to inject a bit of light relief which you obviously didn't appreciate and was obviosly off-tone on this occasion.

As I said, not even a hint of offence intended.

And my father-in-law died of drinking-related illness in the last couple of years, so don't think I don't understand the dangers of it. You're not the only one.

 

[Parmo]

when you are lying in hospital for 3 weeks with two drips, cathetar bag

Your taking the p*** (joking homer)

tbh the only people I see wearing metal spikes are older players, and to be honest there shoes look like they have seen their best days.

Golf is in a new age, golfers are more aware of looking after their own courses, it is a fact that metal spikes damage courses more than soft and the only defence against using soft is "they are hard to clean" or "they don't have the same grip" (that one is strange because more Pro golfers wear them than metal ones).

I take my shoe brush and if they get that clogged (spiders) I brush them which is not very often. I also clean and use dubbing on my shoes after every round, yes its a pain but I like to look after my gear and think if I do my gear will look after me.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm 42 and have just brought a new pair of footjoy dryjoys (the ones with the pods) and have switched to metal spikes. Does that fall into the old criteria or shoes having seen better days?

I think if you ever look at pro shoes during a tournament you will find that the majority still wear spikes

 

[GB72]

When I bought my last pair of shoes, Footjoy LTs, the pro recommended that I changed to spikes at the earliest opportunity. Have not done so as course had a soft spike only rule in place at the time but would be interested to give it a try to see if there is any difference.

 

[TonyN]

So what would you guys say if i told you i wear my football boots?

 

[grumpyjock]

When i started playing back in the early 60's the only option was hard spikes.
Bought myself a new pair of FJ's last year and they came with soft spikes changed these for hard and only use the soft for practice in the range. Went to get a new set of hard at the pro shop and found they had gone up in price to almost £7.
Can not see what the problem is and will wear hard all the summer but keep the soft just incase I come across a course that only allows soft.

 

[EchtLoon]

tbh the only people I see wearing metal spikes are older players, and to be honest there shoes look like they have seen their best days.

Golf is in a new age, golfers are more aware of looking after their own courses, it is a fact that metal spikes damage courses more than soft and the only defence against using soft is "they are hard to clean" or "they don't have the same grip" (that one is strange because more Pro golfers wear them than metal ones).

I'm 42 and have just brought a new pair of footjoy dryjoys (the ones with the pods) and have switched to metal spikes. Does that fall into the old criteria or shoes having seen better days?

I think if you ever look at pro shoes during a tournament you will find that the majority still wear spikes

Having asked this question in a couple of American forums as well, the "older" argument isn't really one as such. Many players now know nothing but soft spikes, so have no reason to change, hence the bias towards older players having spikes.

Like Homer says though, despite the fact that every golf shoe comes fitted with soft spikes as standard, and that EVERY course in the USA is soft spikes only, many pros (not sure if it's the majority?) do indeed change their spikes to use metal spikes, Tiger included.

 

[EchtLoon]

Soft spikes? I like them and always wear them now. I think they are every bit as good as the old metal spikes, but they do need cleaning more frequently. I don't agree that they are more friendly to the putting surface though, in fact they can cause more damage than spikes do.

I think you're meaning marking the greens here, apparently however the old adage that spikes cause more agricultural damage is actually incorrect.

From another forum:

A good friend of mine works for the Dept. of Agriculture in the County of Los Angeles. He tells me that golf courses have a love/hate relationship with soft spikes. The soft spikes are better for not wearing out the clubhouse areas, but make it much more difficult to keep disease and fungus off the greens. The reason is soft spikes are so much better at carrying and tracking the disease to all parts of the course. Believe it.

 

[Parmo]

Soft spikes? I like them and always wear them now. I think they are every bit as good as the old metal spikes, but they do need cleaning more frequently. I don't agree that they are more friendly to the putting surface though, in fact they can cause more damage than spikes do.

I think you're meaning marking the greens here, apparently however the old adage that spikes cause more agricultural damage is actually incorrect.

From another forum:

A good friend of mine works for the Dept. of Agriculture in the County of Los Angeles. He tells me that golf courses have a love/hate relationship with soft spikes. The soft spikes are better for not wearing out the clubhouse areas, but make it much more difficult to keep disease and fungus off the greens. The reason is soft spikes are so much better at carrying and tracking the disease to all parts of the course. Believe it.

Yeah and we all beleive everything that is posted on forums

My friend a greenkeeper also said to me that scuff marks on greens where twice as bad when metal spikes where common.

 

[geronimo]

Soft spikes? I like them and always wear them now. I think they are every bit as good as the old metal spikes, but they do need cleaning more frequently. I don't agree that they are more friendly to the putting surface though, in fact they can cause more damage than spikes do.

I think you're meaning marking the greens here, apparently however the old adage that spikes cause more agricultural damage is actually incorrect.

From another forum:

A good friend of mine works for the Dept. of Agriculture in the County of Los Angeles. He tells me that golf courses have a love/hate relationship with soft spikes. The soft spikes are better for not wearing out the clubhouse areas, but make it much more difficult to keep disease and fungus off the greens. The reason is soft spikes are so much better at carrying and tracking the disease to all parts of the course. Believe it.

Yeah and we all beleive everything that is posted on forums <img src="http://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/forums/images//graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

My friend a greenkeeper also said to me that scuff marks on greens where twice as bad when metal spikes where common. <img src="http://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/forums/images//graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I would have thought that metal spikes if dragged rather than walked across a green would make more of a mess, it would just be like several nails across the greens as compared to softer plastic.

This may sound daft but people who drive a lot for a job tend to drag there feet! All the drivers and rep's in my work are very lazy walkers, You can here them coming scuffing almost dragging the feet. They can trip over a match.
Like i said this might be daft but i think drivers tend to be feet dragers.

 

[viscount17]

Hard (spikes) in Winter - soft (cleats) on dry courses.

The argument about pro's using soft (which has been refuted for other reasons) is a non-starter - have you seen the pro's play on heavy wet courses?

Soft are more comfortable in the dry but their wear rate is useless, I find the cleats start to rip off in one round. Clogging is a real pain and on wet concrete or wood cleats are dangerous (not that spikes are that much safer).

One of our own greenkeepers, in an earlier thread, disputed the 'soft do less damage' theory. Have you never looked behind after an iron shot and seen the torn grass?

As for the oldies doing all the damage with their spikes - I suggest that you will find that the vast majority of that generation were taught to pick up their feet when walking. You won't catch many of them scuffing their feet.

 

[Sam]

Clogging is a real pain and on wet concrete or wood cleats are dangerous (not that spikes are that much safer).

You really should let the concrete set first