The demise of metal spikes

[Robster59]

Now, on this one I know that everyone has personal opinions on this but in the winter I like to wear hybrid metal spikes. Our course is pretty hilly with a fair number of steep slopes so I, and a few of my friends, still prefer the security of metal spikes. Also better for those days when the ground is hard.
Historically I always used to buy the Champ Pro-Stinger and I have a pair of dryjoys with the fast-twist fitting which I use purely for the winter. I'd say it's time to change them now and, thankfully, I can still buy a set for them.
But..... looking at the websites for Softspikes, Champ, Masters, nobody is making the hybrid spikes anymore and I think there is only one company still making pure metal spikes. And of those that are available, none seem to be available for the latest fittings such as PINS. One of my friends has a pair of Skechers and was looking for metal or hybrid spikes for them but nobody that we can find makes them.
I can understand the reason why they're not made anymore, as the demand I guess just isn't there. Especially with so many clubs banning metal spikes. But it's a shame that by the time I come to try to source my next set of hybrid or metal spikes that they probably won't be available.

 

[garyinderry]

Have you tired Ebay. Seems to have all shapes and sizes.

 

[jim8flog]

Not golf -

I used to keep an old pair for general walking around in snow and ice - soft spikes are useless.

 

[jim8flog]

The simple answer is to stock up whilst you can still get them.

 

[Robster59]

Have you tired Ebay. Seems to have all shapes and sizes.

Yes, and I've ordered some off Amazon but I am guessing that they are just using old stock and they will eventually go.

The simple answer is to stock up whilst you can still get them.

I could stock up but it depends on what shoes I want to fit the spikes to at a later date. Eventually my Footjoys will have to go and I like my Skechers but they use the PINS system and there are none available for them at all.

 

[garyinderry]

Yes, and I've ordered some off Amazon but I am guessing that they are just using old stock and they will eventually go.


I could stock up but it depends on what shoes I want to fit the spikes to at a later date. Eventually my Footjoys will have to go and I like my Skechers but they use the PINS system and there are none available for them at all.

I'd say while they still sell there will always be someone making them in China. I wouldn't worry about.

 

[cliveb]

... And of those that are available, none seem to be available for the latest fittings such as PINS. One of my friends has a pair of Skechers and was looking for metal or hybrid spikes for them but nobody that we can find makes them.

I'm with you - I prefer metal spikes in winter.

Regarding PINS specifically: I did find some hybrid PINS spikes on eBay and installed them in my Skechers. They break out. The PINS locking system uses very thin flanges and they just aren't suitable for metal spikes. So from now on I will refuse to buy any shoes that use PINS.

 

[greenone]

Buy a pair of cricket boots. They use normal metal spikes. I used mine last week got a few strange looks but who cares.

 

[Robster59]

I'm with you - I prefer metal spikes in winter.

Regarding PINS specifically: I did find some hybrid PINS spikes on eBay and installed them in my Skechers. They break out. The PINS locking system uses very thin flanges and they just aren't suitable for metal spikes. So from now on I will refuse to buy any shoes that use PINS.

I had a similar problem with a pair of Adidas shoes with PINS fittings. The standard Adidas spikes just broke, really poor quality. I replaced them with Masters golf spikes and they've been great. Never lost one.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Fortunately never had PINS in any of the shoes. They sound a nightmare across several brands. I've the Quik-Lok in my FJ's and fortunately plenty of stock of Pro Stinger for those. Have one pair of winter shoes with these in and I personally feel I get more stability in the winter both when hitting and walking than softspikes. Mine isn't a particularly hilly course but does get wet and muddy in places at times

 

[Robster59]

Buy a pair of cricket boots. They use normal metal spikes. I used mine last week got a few strange looks but who cares.

How waterproof are they though to stand up to a Scottish winter?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

How waterproof are they though to stand up to a Scottish winter?

Not sure they would be overly waterproof although waterproof socks would assist that. My biggest fear would be how comfy they'd be for 18 holes walking

 

[jim8flog]

Buy a pair of cricket boots. They use normal metal spikes. I used mine last week got a few strange looks but who cares.

Four!! takes on a new meaning.

 

[greenone]

How waterproof are they though to stand up to a Scottish winter?

I've got new balance boots with leather uppers, more waterproof than my last pair of sketchers golf shoes.

Comfort is no issue as they are designed for you to be stood fielding in them for 4+ hours.

 

[sunshine]

Not sure they would be overly waterproof although waterproof socks would assist that. My biggest fear would be how comfy they'd be for 18 holes walking

Probably fair to say that cricket boots designed for running around a field all day are going to be as comfy, if not more so, than golf shoes.

 

[sunshine]

Buy a pair of cricket boots. They use normal metal spikes. I used mine last week got a few strange looks but who cares.

This sort of suggestion makes me chuckle. It is an excellent idea, but I wonder how often this would fall foul of the dress code.

Golf footwear has come a long way in the last few years with more and more trainer style shoes, so I expect in practice it would be fine, but as they are not specifically designed for golf there will be some pedants out there who will not accept them (aside from the fact that metal spikes are banned at many clubs anyway).

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Whilst it was true 25 years ago that metal spikes offered better grip in wet conditions I personally find that current generation soft spikes provide more than adequate grip.

I appreciate that some pro's continue to use metal but that is for stability when swinging (far more dynamically than the club golfer).

I have never witnessed a course so muddy that I would not feel confident walking on it and if I did I wouldn't consider it worth playing on.

 

[greenone]

This sort of suggestion makes me chuckle. It is an excellent idea, but I wonder how often this would fall foul of the dress code.

Golf footwear has come a long way in the last few years with more and more trainer style shoes, so I expect in practice it would be fine, but as they are not specifically designed for golf there will be some pedants out there who will not accept them (aside from the fact that metal spikes are banned at many clubs anyway).

Dress code less of an issue up here. About half the people stood on the first tee are in jeans. Im far less likely to damage the course with metal spikes when it's wet than i am sliding around with my spikeless golf shoes.

 

[sunshine]

Dress code less of an issue up here. About half the people stood on the first tee are in jeans. Im far less likely to damage the course with metal spikes when it's wet than i am sliding around with my spikeless golf shoes.

Where is up here?

 

[greenone]

Ne scotland