The REAL Fiasco at the PGA - Fans wearing Golf Shoes!

[pittpanther]

Check the tape of DJ's attempt at #18 from the bunker. Notice that a large number of fans surrounding the shot appeared to be wearing golf shoes. I always thought wearing golf shoes as a spectator was bad form, but it appears that a lot of people disagree...

[NI4NI]

I noticed the same thing, and chuckled. Perhaps given the course conditions and spectator access points, wearing golf shoes offered better traction. But, to me, it looked goofy, and is not something that I would do.

[wrx_junki]

I'm pretty sure I wore my golf shoes to the Barclays last year. The only waterproof shoes I have are my Timberlands and golf shoes. Wasn't planning on wearing boots in the middle of summer and don't want my feet to get soaking wet.

[Fontaine]

Standard if you ask me..

[James_Black]

I wore golf shoes when I went to the JP Mcmanus Pro-Am in june.

I thought it was normal to wear golf shoes on a golf course?

[pittpanther]

I wore golf shoes when I went to the JP Mcmanus Pro-Am in june.

There are a couple of sports who's footwear has become standard (basketball shoes, tennis shoes). but I wouldn't wear football or baseball cleats at a football or baseball game, even if I (somehow) had an on-field pass.

[NI4NI]

Why don't all caddies wear golf shoes? In any event, to each his own, but I just wear sneakers to golf events - no need to wear my FJ's. If it's wet, then I wear waterproof shoes (non-golf)

[PooN]

I wore my golf shoes to Whistling Straits... glad I did too. The whole course is very hilly and sandy and behind the ropes there are a bunch of weird hilly/bunkery places to navigate around, over, and through. Many footholds were on sloping angles that only people with golf shoes could stand on for very long.

[Tiger Spuds]

The PGA and officials at Whistling Straits released a statement asking fans to wear Golf shoes if possible during the event because of the difficult terrain on the course.When the PGA championship was held there in '04, several fans broke bones during falls around the course, so it seems pretty reasonable to ask them to wear the golf shoes, or anything else that would help people keep their balance.I'd agree though that golf shoes are needless and a bit silly at the usual flat, dry courses they play on tour.

[Zeph]

I don't see the problem here. You are walking all around a golf course, surely golf shoes would be the preferable footwear for a lot of people. If you are standing in slopes and walking sideways, having spikes under your shoes is nice.

To those mentioning not wearing baseball, basketball or football shoes; in which of those sports does the spectators actually walk on the playing field? Even if you did, all of them are completely flat.

Basketball shoes offer support and good traction on the floor.
Football shoes with spikes give good traction when running fast on soft grass.

I really don't see the need for spectators sitting at the stands to be wearing them. On a golf course though, the spectators walk around and follow the golfers, uphill and downhill.

[kafka01]

Why don't all caddies wear golf shoes? In any event, to each his own, but I just wear sneakers to golf events - no need to wear my FJ's. If it's wet, then I wear waterproof shoes (non-golf)

I think they are actually not allowed to wear golf shoes. Even in a local event we had, Caddies had to wear non-golf shoes. The only real reason i can think of is for less spikemarks on the greens.

[golfro]

I don't see the problem here. You are walking all around a golf course, surely golf shoes would be the preferable footwear for a lot of people. If you are standing in slopes and walking sideways, having spikes under your shoes is nice.

Agreed. I went to the Boeing Classic out in WA last year and early mornings, its about as slippery as you can get wearing sneakers. On hilly courses in the PNW, its like walking on ice when walking down hills and stuff.

I don't see what the problem is with wearing golf shoes on a golf course.

[NI4NI]

No problem; simply stating preferences. Spectators can wear snowshoes if they want...

[Chris223]

I remember the amount of people I used to see wear golf shoes to the BC Open I used to attend at the course down the street from me. Course is almost completely flat. I used to laugh at those people who'd show up wearing golf shoes. First... golf shoes are uncomfortable compared to regular sneakers. They're designed to give you grip and balance while striking a golf ball, as a result they're more stiff = uncomfortable.

I will also certainly never wear the old brown and white saddle shoes while playing... let alone watching, lol. So fugly. I'll stick to my all black Callaways while playing and regular pair of sneakers while watching.

[nevets88]

I've always dressed casual to watch PGA tournaments, plus Skechers or running sneakers. And I don't wear anything with a golf related logo - just want to go golf incognito I guess.

[pittpanther]

I remember the amount of people I used to see wear golf shoes to the BC Open I used to attend at the course down the street from me.

Not to mention, as a spectator the vast majority of walking you'll do will be on paths, not the grass.

[alo1984]

So, before reading all the comments I thought that the people who wore golf shoes to tournaments were total posers. But, after reading some of the reasons for wearing them I feel bad for thinking that. I personally wear my super comfy Asic running shoes to tourneys as they are way more comfortable than my golf shoes.

[Uber$winG]

This is good to know… next time I attend a PGA event I’m going to wear crampons, the same crampons I used to scale the north ridge of K2.