Metal Cleats

[iacas]

Players who use plastic cleats want to spike those who prefer metal on the PGA Tour. At issue: 8-millimeter metal spikes used by 10 or so players including Phil Mickelson. A petition circulated at last week's Buick Open sought support from the player advisory council in dealing with metal spikes chewing up greens.

Thoughts?

[gripitandripit]

Some players, like Lee Janzen, claim they still slip playing with soft spikes. I much prefer soft spikes to metal. They are so much more comfortable than metal, and I've never had trouble with slipping. I think the tour should allow players to tap down spike marks or just ban metal all together.

[iacas]

Some players, like Lee Janzen, claim they still slip playing with soft spikes. I much prefer soft spikes to metal. They are so much more comfortable than metal, and I've never had trouble with slipping. I think the tour should allow players to tap down spike marks or just ban metal all together.

Tapping down spike marks! D'oh!!!

I don't know how I forgot about that one . D'oh!!! Anyway, it's tough to imagine someone who swings as slowly (relatively) as Lee Janzen slipping, but someone like Tiger wearing plastic spikes just fine.

[gripitandripit]

Anyway, it's tough to imagine someone who swings as slowly (relatively) as Lee Janzen slipping, but someone like Tiger wearing plastic spikes just fine.

I couldn't agree more. How is it that soft spikes are fine for 85% of players but the others supposedly still slip?

[noodles]

We just in general need to completely phase out metal spikes. I don't care who complains, it's better for the courses and the game. How many times do leaders playing later day rounds on the weekend deal with putts breaking randomly because of spike marks?

[Rickins]

I won't wear metal spikes and have never had a problem with slipping but, folks...

There were good scores being recorded when we still had "stymies". Remember those?

Some 250-pound dumbass steps on your line to mark his putt? Rude, to be sure, but we don't "outlaw" it.

Just how "pristine" do we want the game to become? "10 or so players" have thrown the entire PGA tour into the dilly? Let's do a little history research before we start complaining about the course conditions that our "pros" have to play under. (Seems to me that Tiger was still pounding the crap out of Phil while Phil was wearing metal spikes...)

Rick

P.S. Please don't bring up the money involved. Icons of the game played for money just to survive let alone afford yachts.

[NCGolfer]

There were good scores being recorded when we still had "stymies". Remember those?

Yeah...but that rule didn't last. 95% of tournaments now are golfers playing against the course and not someone (or something) else.

Some 250-pound dumbass steps on your line to mark his putt? Rude, to be sure, but we don't "outlaw" it.

No, but the PGA Tour doesn't have 250 pound dumbasses stepping on someones line wearing metal spikes. We're talking about the tour, not average joes out on the course. On the tour, we have 235 pound lefties circling the hole with metal spikes.

Just how "pristine" do we want the game to become? "10 or so players" have thrown the entire PGA tour into the dilly? Let's do a little history research before we start complaining about the course conditions that our "pros" have to play under.

I don't think that this is such a big change. All it does is help make the conditions of the course remain consisitent throughout the day. Again...going back to letting players play against the course AND keeping conditions similar for everyone.

(Seems to me that Tiger was still pounding the crap out of Phil while Phil was wearing metal spikes...)

And Tiger will continue to do so wearing soft spikes.

This is all coming from the Phil-Vijay confrontation at the Masters earlier this year. I think Vijay was out of line to complain to someone other than Phil (especially during a round), but Phil has to understand why. I don't think I've had to tap a single spikemark down in the past 2-3 years because most courses down here are softspike only. I can understand why tour players want the same.

[Rickins]

Dave,

Points well taken and mine weren't particularly well made. Sorry about that...

First, I don't honestly think that Phil wears metal spikes on the tour simply to be a horse's ass. If I'm wrong, then someone needs to escort him behind the equipment shed and "learn him some manners".

Second, I do find it odd that repairing spike marks is a violation of 16.1(c) and no one seems interested in addressing that rule with the R&A; or USGA. You can repair ball plugs and remove loose impediments but, if someone trashes your line, with metal spikes or anything else, oh, well... Easier to compel a player to change his equipment, perhaps. (Probably is now that I think about it.)

As far as the Tour players wanting the same thing that we "average joes" enjoy at our local muni's (read that as "local cow pastures"), does that stick float in the other direction as well? (I wonder how much scores might change without a host of "spotters" noting the location of balls driven off into the ticky-weeds.)

Rick

[dipgolf]

I love making people feel old. I have never worn metal spikes.

[mediaguru]

I loved wearing metal spikes. Someone once told me to use my lower body and legs for power. Ever since then I've done that, and subsequently needed a lot of traction... I have to make sure my soft spikes are fresh or my right foot will start slipping.

[Everardo]

I liked wearing metal spikes but feel just fine with plastic cleats. I just think not being able to tap a spike mark down is ridiculous.
As far as Phil, Tiger or anyone else - Some of these guys are notorious for being able to tell little differences in equipment. It's probably more of a mental thing than anything. It's all up to the R&A;, USGA and governing bodies, all they have to say is "Spikes are outlawed" and people would switch because they have to so until then they'll where or play with what they please and I think they should.