Why aren't trainers allowed on golf courses?

[sportsbob]

Please can someone explain to me why trainers are a big no no on golf courses - 'proper golf shoes are required'. I never understood this and as a parent wanting to get his kids into golf, I begrudge having to pay for yet another pair of shoes every summer with the speed that they grow out of them?

I have always been told that it is 'grumble grumble GREENS grumble grumble'???

 

[Foxholer]

There are many courses where that does not apply to Juniors.

It's certainly not about the Greens. Pro Caddies are required to wear Trainers to prevent damage to them!

It's most likely a mix of tradition and health and safety fears - as slippery surfaces and mud filled trainers are not the best mix!

 

[palindromicbob]

Please can someone explain to me why trainers are a big no no on golf courses - 'proper golf shoes are required'. I never understood this and as a parent wanting to get his kids into golf, I begrudge having to pay for yet another pair of shoes every summer with the speed that they grow out of them?

I have always been told that it is 'grumble grumble GREENS grumble grumble'???

If the caddies can walk over Augusta's greens in them then they can't be too bad.

Part of it is the traditions of the game and clubs being unable to pull forward with dress codes etc and the other is playing in something that is most suitable. Trainers won't offer much grip and stability on a damp day compared to spiked shoes for example.

Would you begrudge them studded football boots if they played on grass pitches??

A good compromise may be to look out for spikeless street syle shoes and some great deals and styles exist in kids sizes. The addidas ones are basically trainers with a different sole. Seen plenty that are styled like skate shoes. Also worth checking with club. I know my club don't mind teaching sessions with kids wearing trainers but again actual golf shoes are recommended for on the course purely to give them grip.

Edit: Typing while FH posted.

 

[Craigg]

I might be an old stick in the mud traditionalist but. Ya plays football, ya wears football boots, ya plays ten pin bowling, ya wears bowling shoes, ya plays golf.............

 

[guest100718]

It's old fogies who can't let go of the past.

 

[sportsbob]

I would always wear golf shoes, but if we are trying to get new players walking through the doors of our golf clubs and playing, whether they are young or old, allowing trainers must surely help?

 

[SVB]

To my eye, the line between the more modern spikeless golf shoe and a smart trainer is getting more and more blured. I think now any course would struggle to make a logical argument against trainers in the summer especially. Winter is a bit more difficult as I think the spikeless golfs shoes are less well suited to the muddy conditions that spikes will continue to have the edge on grip-wise but having said that, I have never personally tried spikeless on a muddy track as mine are nice and white and I'd like to keep them that way (well, near enough!)

 

[Martin70]

To my eye, the line between the more modern spikeless golf shoe and a smart trainer is getting more and more blured. I think now any course would struggle to make a logical argument against trainers in the summer especially. Winter is a bit more difficult as I think the spikeless golfs shoes are less well suited to the muddy conditions that spikes will continue to have the edge on grip-wise but having said that, I have never personally tried spikeless on a muddy track as mine are nice and white and I'd like to keep them that way (well, near enough!)

100% agreed

 

[USER1999]

I have always considered it to be daft.

I have golf shoes that look like trainers, and vice versa. I have goretex trail shoes that are more water proof than my golf shoes, and have more aggressive grips than my spikeless golf shoes too. But are still running shoes, and would do less damage than adizero's.

It's all cobblers. If you are happy swinging in them, there shouldn't be an issue.

Oh, and my Ecco spikeless are fine all year round. Unless I swing like an idiot. At which point I deserve to fall over.

 

[GB72]

I always find it odd that I can wear spikeless golf shoes in the clubhouse which are just trainers with knobbly bottoms but I cannot wear trainers even if they look identical to my spikeless shoes

 

[IanG]

I often think clubs use the golf shoes only rule as a way of dissuading the absolute beginners amongst visitors.

 

[USER1999]

I always find it odd that I can wear spikeless golf shoes in the clubhouse which are just trainers with knobbly bottoms but I cannot wear trainers even if they look identical to my spikeless shoes

We can't wear spikeless in the club house, unless they have not been used on the golf course, when you can. Along the lines of you can wear jean cut trousers that look like jeans, but not jeans, even if they look like Jean cut trousers, what ever that is!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

To my eye, the line between the more modern spikeless golf shoe and a smart trainer is getting more and more blured. I think now any course would struggle to make a logical argument against trainers in the summer especially. Winter is a bit more difficult as I think the spikeless golfs shoes are less well suited to the muddy conditions that spikes will continue to have the edge on grip-wise but having said that, I have never personally tried spikeless on a muddy track as mine are nice and white and I'd like to keep them that way (well, near enough!)

I agree but do thing "traditionalist" members are still against anything that smacks of change. I do see some merit of not using them in winter as I do find these shoes don't always give me a firm feeling base in very wet or icy conditions and so can see why the old elf and safety brigade will get twitchy about claims for slips or falls

 

[SVB]

I in winter as I do find these shoes don't aflways give me a firm feeling base in very wet or icy conditions

icy conditions is an interesting point. I find my soft spikes develop little hemispheres of ice on each cleat that both make the grips ineffective and I must remember to knock off prior to walking on the green else they leave a trail of eight deepish dimples for every step. I wonder whether the spikeless would be better for grip and the course in these conditions?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I've just bought some new shoes. I did quite a bit of research before buying and saw a massive move towards spikeless shoes. The Nike version is particular looks like a trainer with a few ridges on the sole. Some have dimples which show they are not plain trainers but many don't. It is going to be more and more difficult for clubs to police this so it may start to become a rule that disappears from more forward thinking clubs. It certainly looks outdated when you see the shoes being marketed by golf shoe manufacturers.

As long as your shoes don't damage the course and your feet are enclosed, no flip flops, I don't see why there needs to be restrictions on shoes.

 

[Evesdad]

Wear my ecco spikeless through the winter so far and have seen no difference in grip to my spikes and they don't pick up the leaves and cuttings etc. plus don't leave big dents in the greens.

 

[Fish]

We can't wear spikeless in the club house, unless they have not been used on the golf course, when you can. Along the lines of you can wear jean cut trousers that look like jeans, but not jeans, even if they look like Jean cut trousers, what ever that is!

What about clubs that have a room for a party, wedding reception or meeting etc but share the same bar, visitors are then in the clubhouse wearing what they like, including jeans etc and yet members sitting and using the same facilities at the same time can't, what's that all about?

 

[Tongo]

To my eye, the line between the more modern spikeless golf shoe and a smart trainer is getting more and more blured. I think now any course would struggle to make a logical argument against trainers in the summer especially. Winter is a bit more difficult as I think the spikeless golfs shoes are less well suited to the muddy conditions that spikes will continue to have the edge on grip-wise but having said that, I have never personally tried spikeless on a muddy track as mine are nice and white and I'd like to keep them that way (well, near enough!)

Yes, i was thinking the same thing. When you see what the likes of Freddie Couples and Justin Rose (they were the first 2 that come to mind, i'm sure there are others!) wear the clear distinction between trainers and golf shoes isnt that much any more.

 

[Tongo]

Two points occurred to me:

1.) Not sure what sort of grip / purchase you would get with a trainer when hitting shots? I remember switching from trainers to cricket spikes a few years back. At the time you dont think it'd make too much of a difference but it is amazing how much more purchase you get from a spike. I'd never go back to wearing trainers whilst playing cricket now.

2.) Decent golf shoes tend to be water proof. I'd imagine that most trainers probably aren't.

 

[Tongo]

And on a different note: golf isnt the only sport where this debate has reared its head. Believe it or not, darts had a similar issue a few years ago where Phil Taylor played in black trainers (due to some sort of injury / ailment i think) rather than shoes which, i believe, is the PDC rule. And there were a few rumblings about that so golf isnt alone on the footwear debate!