Soft spikes and walking on the line

[CraiginKSA]

Back in the day when everyone wore metal spikes, it was bad form to walk on your playing partner's line, as the spikes could wreak havoc with a green. Now that everyone is wearing soft spikes, is that still an issue? I see all manner of twisting and straddling and getting into some form of weird tripod trying to avoid stepping on a player's line while tapping out. But if you look, is there any real deformation of the green?

Is it time to do away with this tradition, or is there still some validity to it? In fact, I never understood it anyway. If you avoid your playing partner's line, who's to say you didn't just walk on the next foursome's line, or the one after that?

[Kieran123]

It's common courtesy not to. I never do, but don't really care if someone walks on mine - unless they drag their feet.

[Zeph]

[SIZE=10pt][FONT=Arial][COLOR=000000]Back in the day when everyone wore metal spikes, it was bad form to walk on your playing partner's line, as the spikes could wreak havoc with a green.[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=10pt][FONT=Arial][COLOR=000000]Now that everyone is wearing soft spikes, is that still an issue? I see all manner of twisting and straddling and getting into some form of weird tripod trying to avoid stepping on a player's line while tapping out. But if you look, is there any real deformation of the green?[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE]

There may be enough to give the ball a small bump in either direction. I never walk in someone's line. If I have to stand too awkward, I just mark it and wait for my turn. You still apply the pressure of your entire body on the foot, so the spikes will still create a pattern in the grass. [quote name="CraiginKSA" url="/t/58420/soft-spikes-and-walking-on-the-line#post_716935"][SIZE=10pt][FONT=Arial][COLOR=000000]Is it time to do away with this tradition, or is there still some validity to it? [/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=10pt][FONT=Arial][COLOR=000000]In fact, I never understood it anyway. If you avoid your playing partner's line, who's to say you didn't just walk on the next foursome's line, or the one after that?[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE] [/quote] I'm thinking that the grass may "reset" before the next group comes by. You push it down, and slowly it expands back up. It's probably such a small issue that it doesn't make that big a difference, depending on the quality of the green, but I still don't see why we should walk in someone's line. If anything, it could throw them off. If my ball is in the way, I usually ask if I can putt first to avoid the moving of the marker entirely.

[carpediem4300]

its just etiquette in my book something else that will eventually fade into obscurity i guess

[CraiginKSA]

From a practical standpoint, there is probably some deformation of the green - especially if it's soft or just watered.  Some of the greens I've played on (munis), you could probably drive the cart right up on there and not leave a mark.

I think that to not make anyone mad, it's probably best - even from a psycholigical standpoint - to stay off a player's line.

[NM Golf]

When greens are soft you can leave a nasty depression especially if the spikes you wear have an aggressive tread pattern. Plus it's just bad form.

[iacas]

If it's not really soft, and/or you're not really heavy, and/or you don't drag your feet, where you walk is imperceptible.

So I don't care if others walk on my line. I'll avoid walking through theirs as much as I can help it, but I do know more and more people feel similarly to me: they don't care if I do.

I don't remember the last time someone pointed out "you stepped in my line" (to anyone in my group, I mean, not to me - I'm not sure anyone's ever said that to me).

I should note that I don't use soft spikes either, but rather, True Linkswear shoes. They leave even less of a mark than current generation plastic spikes.

[jamo]

I'll avoid stepping on other people's line out of respect (though if I have to stand at such an awkward angle I'll just mark my ball and let them putt), but I've never been upset if someone else steps on my line. I could see circumstances where if the grass was really wet or the person dragged their feet it might impact the green, but people seem to be pretty good about avoiding lines so that's never come up.

[allin]

Golfers of my generation, over 55 still make a big deal about this, because pros are obsessive about this, and of course if they do it they know best ;-). I had a partner throw a fit because I walked across his line, maybe 25-30 feet from the hole on his 50 foot putt last year. Peltz did a study a few years ago and on soft greens there is a very slight influence , that last several hours. So there is as much chance a previous groups footsteps affecting your putt as your own group. Since the impressions accumulate extra care close to the cup is still warranted.

[WUTiger]

Originally Posted by allin

... Peltz did a study a few years ago and on soft greens there is a very slight influence , that last several hours. ...

When I walk on a putting green in early morning, my spike marks look like little animal tracks when I'm done. So, I would avoid stepping in another's line.  From my metal spike days, I believe the player's weight denting the green was always more of a factor than the actual spike mark. Even a temporary half-inch dip could influence a putt.

[Aquaguru]

I don't walk in other people lines just out of respect but when I see one of my playing partners go out of their way to avoid my line I just tell them "don't worry about my line its not going to affect it"  To this day I have not had a putt that missed because someone walked in my line.