Why aren't trainers allowed on golf courses?

[Slab]

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'???

In addition to reasons posted I'm going to guess that to some, your very presence and appearance in such heinous footwear would actually offend them or the values of 'their' club in some way... quite a scarey thought really!

 

[Hacker Khan]

One of the guys I played with on The Blue Monster last year was wearing trainers. And although he was a nice guy, great to chat to, a very good player and got on with the game, unfortunately I had to sacrifice him in one of the fountains that Trump had built as I felt he was disrespecting for the game and its traditions. Them's the breaks

As others have said, the distinction between a trainer and some golf shoes has gone now when you look at them from the top. In fact I'd argue that a decent trainer looks smarter than some golf shoes now that resemble astroturf boots or day glo shoes with colours 8 year old girls like to wear. I do get the grip issue, but I would imagine for the type of person that may want to wear trainers (on the whole beginners or the more casual golfer) the lack of grip probably isn't going to effect them that much and more than likely won't be the main issue holding them back from having a decent swing or enjoying the game.

So why not let people wear them if they want to? And if you are worried about a lack of grip then don't wear them and wear something you feel more comfortable in that may improve your game. So the golf shoe manufacturers would like you to believe. Simples.

 

[jak kez 187]

I'd just make sure his next pair of trainers have some decent grip on them, then just use them and if anyone mentions anything just say they are spikeless.

I have a pair of nike Montreal racers that have mini square studs on the bottom, could easily get away with them.

 

[chrisd]

I'd just make sure his next pair of trainers have some decent grip on them, then just use them and if anyone mentions anything just say they are spikeless.

I have a pair of nike Montreal racers that have mini square studs on the bottom, could easily get away with them.

I think that's the way many have gone! I've seen lots of trainer looking shoes on the course and I doubt anyone would know whether they are for golf or not and certainly I doubt anyone would challenge the wearer! I wouldn't think anyone would be daft enough to wear ordinary trainers when it's wet and slippy though

 

[jak kez 187]

I think that's the way many have gone! I've seen lots of trainer looking shoes on the course and I doubt anyone would know whether they are for golf or not and certainly I doubt anyone would challenge the wearer! I wouldn't think anyone would be daft enough to wear ordinary trainers when it's wet and slippy though

Yeh I agree, I currently wear the adidas gripmore and could easily wear them with a pair of jeans and no one would have a clue they're golf shoes.

 

[Rooter]

Allow trainers on the golf course? Are you lot mad? they will let women in next, and don't even start me on "smart" jeans!!!

 

[sportsbob]

It really is divided opinion. My 12 year old plays hockey so he already has a pair of astro trainers which give him the extra better grip. This is why I begrudge paying for a pair of 'proper' golf shoes (sorry Footjoy etc) when they are easily good enough to give him the grip required on the golf course. I know that my previous club would not have allowed him on the 18 hole course (that is now closed), I have yet to test the management at my new club.

 

[Slab]

It really is divided opinion. My 12 year old plays hockey so he already has a pair of astro trainers which give him the extra better grip. This is why I begrudge paying for a pair of 'proper' golf shoes (sorry Footjoy etc) when they are easily good enough to give him the grip required on the golf course. I know that my previous club would not have allowed him on the 18 hole course (that is now closed), I have yet to test the management at my new club.

Why did the old club close?

 

[Scrindle]

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?

I can confirm this. I've been using my spikeless all winter on frosty/icy days. No build up to speak of and (I think) more grip.

 

[Hacker Khan]

One of the guys I played with on The Blue Monster last year was wearing trainers. And although he was a nice guy, great to chat to, a very good player and got on with the game, unfortunately I had to sacrifice him in one of the fountains that Trump had built as I felt he was disrespecting for the game and its traditions. Them's the breaks

As others have said, the distinction between a trainer and some golf shoes has gone now when you look at them from the top. In fact I'd argue that a decent trainer looks smarter than some golf shoes now that resemble astroturf boots or day glo shoes with colours 8 year old girls like to wear. I do get the grip issue, but I would imagine for the type of person that may want to wear trainers (on the whole beginners or the more casual golfer) the lack of grip probably isn't going to effect them that much and more than likely won't be the main issue holding them back from having a decent swing or enjoying the game.

So why not let people wear them if they want to? And if you are worried about a lack of grip then don't wear them and wear something you feel more comfortable in that may improve your game. So the golf shoe manufacturers would like you to believe. Simples.

Exhibit A me lud... http://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/news/gear-news/footjoy-hyperflex-golf-shoe-unveiled-63689 They can spout as much guff as they want about membranes, bridge cables etc etc, but that is basically a trainer with soft spikes on the bottom. And if that is allowed there is no reason why an identical trainer with no spikes on should not.

 

[garyinderry]

Why not start buying him a pair for his birthday every year or tell him if he needs new ones buy them with his pocket money.

They don't need to cost the world either.

 

[GB72]

Why not start buying him a pair for his birthday every year or tell him if he needs new ones buy them with his pocket money.

They don't need to cost the world either.

I was surprised, slightly more old models available at lower prices now but when I bought my nephew his first pair, the only ones commonly available online wer FJ sports at £40 a pop

 

[garyinderry]

30 quid should get a standard pair of Adidas.

 

[Sports_Fanatic]

Sports direct junior range goes from £9 dunlops to £29 footjoys if that helps. But agree, they could probably be more flexible, although they may argue once you blur the rules it makes them much harder to enforce for other points.

 

[Jimaroid]

What will the anti-trainer brigade make of these I wonder?

http://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/news/gear-news/footjoy-hyperflex-golf-shoe-unveiled-63689

 

[sportsbob]

What will the anti-trainer brigade make of these I wonder?

http://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/news/gear-news/footjoy-hyperflex-golf-shoe-unveiled-63689

Trainers from up above

 

[drdel]

And we wonder why fewer youngsters are taking up the game.

Watch a PGA / European Tour event and you'll see officials wearing normal shoes on the course. Ball spotters, caddies and ground-staff don't wear 'golf shoes'.

At the same events you'll see players with trousers cut in the same style as jeans but just not made of blue denim.

It's daft I see no good reason for golf to dictate what golfers should wear - unlike other sports the clothing does not have to provide protection or other special function.

If a golfer cannot decide form his or herself whether the shoes they wear will provide enough grip heaven help his club selection and course management decisions!

Its mostly because the 'Rulers' have committees who come up with rules and prevaricate to justify their existence and 'prove' they are needed and should, therefore, keep receiving their fees.

 

[garyinderry]

Everything in life needs some kind of boundary or you End up with clampets taking the piss.

Without a shoe policy you might get men wearing shoes with heels damaging greens with the excuse if 'it doesn't say not to'.

There was no real reason for us to wear black shoes at school but that was the rule. Everyone looked smart but that was about it.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Everything in life needs some kind of boundary or you End up with clampets taking the piss.

Without a shoe policy you might get men wearing shoes with heels damaging greens with the excuse if 'it doesn't say not to'.

There was no real reason for us to wear black shoes at school but that was the rule. Everyone looked smart but that was about it.

What like these?

You could just as easily say you have to wear a sports shoe, either a dedicated golf shoe or training shoe. If you have to have a 'shoe policy'.

 

[Tarkus1212]

And we wonder why fewer youngsters are taking up the game.

Watch a PGA / European Tour event and you'll see officials wearing normal shoes on the course. Ball spotters, caddies and ground-staff don't wear 'golf shoes'.

At the same events you'll see players with trousers cut in the same style as jeans but just not made of blue denim.

It's daft I see no good reason for golf to dictate what golfers should wear - unlike other sports the clothing does not have to provide protection or other special function.

If a golfer cannot decide form his or herself whether the shoes they wear will provide enough grip heaven help his club selection and course management decisions!

Its mostly because the 'Rulers' have committees who come up with rules and prevaricate to justify their existence and 'prove' they are needed and should, therefore, keep receiving their fees.

Go to pro tournament and you'll find that many if not most of the marshals, scorers and scoreboard carriers wear golf shoes as do a good number of the spectators. That has certainly been my experience at the Senior Masters over the past few years.

I was in the US a few years back in a golf shop with a friend who is a member of a reasonably prestigious club. We were making the most of a decent exchange rate and buying several pairs of golf shoes. I picked up a pair of trainer type golf shoes at which time she informed me that they would not be acceptable at her club, on the course or off it.