Why do.....

[dog377]

.....golf spectators wear golf shoes? I've noticed this particularly this weekend at the Irish Open. I have also noticed it when spectating at the Open before. It seems odd as they are not actually going on the course. Caddies don't wear golf shoes. Most of them seem to wear trainers and I have seen one wearing Jesus sandals.

 

[CMAC]

Spectators are walking through rough and the steeper undulating areas either side of the holes, plus where thousands have walked it gets muddier and slippier, common sense really.

 

[dog377]

Hiking boots or wellies might be more practical especially given the wet weather recently. I walk into the rough in my golf shoes once and I can feel my socks starting to get wet. I thought it might be a rule that you have to wear golf shoes to spectate? If so that is not fair on the spectating public. Golf shoes are expensive and could be ruined in one round of spectating. Also one's enjoyement of the day would be impaired by having wet feet. Imagine if tennis spectators all wore tennis shoes or football fans wore football boots. That would be totally impractical and ruin the footwear which are designed to participate in the sport, not to watch.

 

[jplkorea83]

I've not been to watch live golf but I would imagine if thousands of people are wearing golf shoes rather than trainers, it would do a lot more damage to the course. I would have thought that the course wouldn't want them to wear golf shoes

 

[CMAC]

They're not 'in the rough' exactly, it's prepared areas but they can get very slippy plus golf shoes are comfortable and minimise slippage.

 

[CMAC]

I've not been to watch live golf but I would imagine if thousands of people are wearing golf shoes rather than trainers, it would do a lot more damage to the course. I would have thought that the course wouldn't want them to wear golf shoes

Spectators are on designated areas which yes do get 'damaged' with all the traffic, but it recovers in a few weeks. Grass is hardy stuff!

 

[Stub]

Walking shoes/boots would be more appropriate unless they are hopeful a competitor mightdrop out and they want to be ready to step in straight away, assuming their clubs are in the car park.

 

[dog377]

Walking shoes/boots would be more appropriate unless they are hopeful a competitor mightdrop out and they want to be ready to step in straight away, assuming their clubs are in the car park.

That could be it - maybe they are thinking "I'm with you Tiger or G Mac and I've got the gear on too. I'm a golfer not just a spectator."

 

[dog377]

Walking shoes/boots would be more appropriate unless they are hopeful a competitor mightdrop out and they want to be ready to step in straight away, assuming their clubs are in the car park.

Maybe they should carry their clubs as well. It would seem to be just as appropriate. Or maybe just a sand wedge or a rescue club - just to say "hey look at me I'm a golfer too". Just so there's no confusion...

 

[USER1999]

Surely having one white hand marks you out as a golfer, with out the need to wear golf apparel.

 

[DCB]

Caddies don't wear golf shoes. Most of them seem to wear trainers and I have seen one wearing Jesus sandals.​

Caddies are not allowed to wear golf shoes, that's why you see them wearing trainers on the course.

As for spectators and their footwear, I tend to use golf shoes when out at an event. Think most spectators (serious ones) do likewise.

 

[garyinderry]

its pretty clear that golf shoes are the preferred choice at events. when its wet and you are climbing some linksy hills they are nearly essentail. i had to grab my father a few times incase he went on his backside as he was just wearing normal shoes. grip and keeping the feet dry are the main reasons for wearing them. if it sunny and dry is just wear trainers for extra comfort.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Hiking boots or wellies might be more practical especially given the wet weather recently. I walk into the rough in my golf shoes once and I can feel my socks starting to get wet. I thought it might be a rule that you have to wear golf shoes to spectate? If so that is not fair on the spectating public. Golf shoes are expensive and could be ruined in one round of spectating. Also one's enjoyement of the day would be impaired by having wet feet. Imagine if tennis spectators all wore tennis shoes or football fans wore football boots. That would be totally impractical and ruin the footwear which are designed to participate in the sport, not to watch.

Not everyone has hiking boots and I wouldn't want to wear wellies all day. If I didn't hve hiking boots, it would be golf shoes for me

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Golf shoes are comfy, mostly waterproof and give a good grip. Why not use them?

 

[RGDave]

.....golf spectators wear golf shoes? I've noticed this particularly this weekend at the Irish Open. I have also noticed it when spectating at the Open before. It seems odd as they are not actually going on the course. Caddies don't wear golf shoes. Most of them seem to wear trainers and I have seen one wearing Jesus sandals.

I tell you what. You want to join me at the Open?

I'll wear my footjoys and you can come in something else.

I have golf shoes and hiking boots for the Open (working, not paying guest), both are advisable. Unless it's really dry, but this is the UK.

 

[RGDave]

Surely having one white hand marks you out as a golfer, with out the need to wear golf apparel.

or even a Ping top that says "Golf Monthly" on it.

You've got one of those too?

 

[palindromicbob]

I wore my golf shoes every day. They were dry, comfortable and gave excellent grip climbing up and down dunes. Why not wear them.

 

[Birchy]

Most people who spectate play golf and therefore have golf shoes. Nobody is going to go out and buy hiking boots just to go watch golf when theyve got a prefectly good set of golf shoes at home. Anybody who wears trainers/sandals to watch golf in britain is rather crazy as we all know what the weather is like.

 

[sydney greenstreet]

Good job i have both, at the next Johnny walker championship i think the walking boots will be on
:thup: