Jump to content
Check out the Spin Axis Podcast! ×
Check out the Spin Axis Podcast!
IGNORED

Curious - what percentage of tour players still wear metal spikes now?

nevets88

By nevets88
in Tour Talk

 Share
Note: This thread is 2855 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

  • Moderator
nevets88 Incredible Member

nevets88

Posted
  • Moderator
Posted

Read on social media that Golf Channel said it was around 20% who wore metal spikes or a hybrid of metal and plastic. Is that accurate? I'm assuming that's the male players, wonder if there's any difference for the LPGA tour.

Do most courses ban metal spikes now or are they still allowed?

 

Steve

Kill slow play. Allow walking. Reduce ineffective golf instruction. Use environmentally friendly course maintenance.

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1

MuniGrit Great Member

MuniGrit

Posted
Posted

How are they to play in? I have only had one pair in my life. I was probably 12 and the only thing I remember was running in them and sliding out on concrete goofing around with my buddies. I didn't take golf that seriously and quit playing until mid 20s at about 16.

Trollin' is the life


jsgolfer Super Member

jsgolfer

Posted
Posted
24 minutes ago, nevets88 said:

Read on social media that Golf Channel said it was around 20% who wore metal spikes or a hybrid of metal and plastic. Is that accurate? I'm assuming that's the male players, wonder if there's any difference for the LPGA tour.

Do most courses ban metal spikes now or are they still allowed?

 

I'm not sure the percentage but when I was doing Shotlink, there were several players that were.  I don't think the no metal spike policy is in effect for the tour.

-Jerry

Driver: Titleist 913 D3 (9.5 degree) – Aldila RIP 60-2.9-Stiff; Callaway Mini-Driver Kura Kage 60g shaft - 12 degree Hybrids: Callway X2 Hot Pro - 16 degree & 23 degree – Pro-Shaft; Callway X2 Hot – 5H & 6H Irons: Titleist 714 AP2 7 thru AW with S300 Dynamic Gold Wedges: Titleist Vokey GW (54 degree), Callaway MackDaddy PM Grind SW (58 degree) Putter: Ping Cadence TR Ketsch Heavy Balls: Titleist Pro V1x & Snell MyTourBall

"Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots but you have to play the ball where it lies."- Bobby Jones

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

  • Administrator
iacas Hall of Fame Member

iacas

Posted
  • Administrator
Posted
33 minutes ago, jsgolfer said:

I'm not sure the percentage but when I was doing Shotlink, there were several players that were.  I don't think the no metal spike policy is in effect for the tour.

No, a PGA Tour course can't keep that policy and host a PGA Tour event.

@kpaulhus can tell us about the LPGA Tour's policy.

Erik J. Barzeski — ⛳ I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • Author, Lowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

  • Moderator
billchao Incredible Member

billchao

Posted
  • Moderator
Posted
1 hour ago, iacas said:

No, a PGA Tour course can't keep that policy and host a PGA Tour event.

They're closed for an extended period of time afterwards, anyway. The spike damage from a few tour players is significantly less than the damage caused by the spectators. 

Bill

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” - Confucius

My Swing Thread

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1

  • 3 weeks later...
3jacker Great Member

3jacker

Posted
Posted

I get why the Gen X'rs and old timers wear them still, holding on to tradition and the notion that they grab better (they do in wet, slippery conditions or pine straw but that's about it).

If you are on your feet 7+ miles a day, it takes a true dedication to tradition to keep wearing them.  They are not nearly as comfortable as modern spikes/designs. I remember how they'd push into the balls of your feet after the shoes broke in, even on firm turf (I'm in FL where a lot of the courses I played were seaside on packed sand). 

 


  • Moderator
nevets88 Incredible Member

nevets88

Posted
  • Author
  • Moderator
Posted
10 minutes ago, 3jacker said:

I get why the Gen X'rs and old timers wear them still, holding on to tradition and the notion that they grab better (they do in wet, slippery conditions or pine straw but that's about it).

If you are on your feet 7+ miles a day, it takes a true dedication to tradition to keep wearing them.  They are not nearly as comfortable as modern spikes/designs. I remember how they'd push into the balls of your feet after the shoes broke in, even on firm turf (I'm in FL where a lot of the courses I played were seaside on packed sand). 

 

Taking them off at the end of a round was just a little bit like getting those ski boots off after a day of skiing.

Steve

Kill slow play. Allow walking. Reduce ineffective golf instruction. Use environmentally friendly course maintenance.

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1

CCC Dedicated Member

CCC

Posted
Posted

Metal spikes should not be allowed. Unless, you are going to repair all of your spike marks on the green. IMHO

On 3/1/2018 at 3:26 PM, iacas said:

No, a PGA Tour course can't keep that policy and host a PGA Tour event.

@kpaulhus can tell us about the LPGA Tour's policy.

Well, if the the other players on the Tour allow it, so be it.

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1

MSchott Great Member

MSchott

Posted
Posted
On 3/23/2018 at 4:18 PM, The Hook Meister said:

Probably none, because most golf courses don't allow them due ti insurance issues.

I'm not sure what you are talking about. Metal spikes were banned from most coursed due to the damage they do to greens. I don't know anything about insurance issues. And it was said above that many PGA players still wear them. I noticed Tiger Woods wearing them at Bay Hill.

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1

Buckeyebowman Super Member

Buckeyebowman

Posted
Posted

Metal spikes were banned for us amateurs. For those who think there should be two sets of rules for amateurs and pros guess what? There are! Pros can still wear "nails" should they choose to. Yes, we saw pros fussing over spike marks in the past, but I've seen guys tearing up greens wearing the soft spikes as well. Looks like a damned rhino stomped across the green!

As far as I'm concerned, the rule should be amended to allow for tamping down spike marks. There are rarely that many, except for close to the hole where everyone steps to retrieve their ball. To my mind, this changes golf from a game of skill to a game of luck!

And spikes only did damage to greens from slew footed individuals who didn't know how to pick up their feet!

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1

WUTiger Incredible Member

WUTiger

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 3/23/2018 at 2:59 PM, 3jacker said:

I get why the Gen X'rs and old timers wear them still, holding on to tradition and the notion that they grab better (they do in wet, slippery conditions or pine straw but that's about it).

If you are on your feet 7+ miles a day, it takes a true dedication to tradition to keep wearing them.  They are not nearly as comfortable as modern spikes/designs. I remember how they'd push into the balls of your feet after the shoes broke in, even on firm turf (I'm in FL where a lot of the courses I played were seaside on packed sand).

Us Boomers still wear spikes, but they are the standard non-metal (unless you own your own golf course and can make your own rules). I wear soft spikes because I'm on hilly courses a lot, where you can slip in athletic shoes.

As far as comfort goes, I wore metal spikes the last time I tried to walk 36 holes (er... many years ago). The course turf was rock-hard clay during a dry spell down in Oklahoma. I got through 27 OK, but I had to ride the final nine. I wasn't that  tired, but my feet were so bruised I couldn't walk very fast. The steel spikes + hard clay was tough on the feet.

Edited by WUTiger

Focus, connect and follow through!

  • Completed KBS Education Seminar (online, 2015)
  • GolfWorks Clubmaking Academy: Fitting, Assembly & Repair School (2012)

Driver:  :touredge: EXS 10.5°, weights neutral   ||  FWs:  :callaway: Rogue 4W + 7W
Hybrid:  :callaway: Big Bertha OS 4H at 22°  ||  Irons:  :callaway: Mavrik MAX 5i-PW
Wedges:  :callaway: MD3: 48°, 54°... MD4: 58° ||  Putter:image.png.b6c3447dddf0df25e482bf21abf775ae.pngInertial NM SL-583F, 34"  
Ball:  image.png.f0ca9194546a61407ba38502672e5ecf.png QStar Tour - Divide  ||  Bag: :sunmountain: Three 5 stand bag

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1

Note: This thread is 2855 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up

  • TST Partners

    PlayBetter
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FitForGolf
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-20%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack/FitForGolf, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope. 15% off TourStriker (no code).

  • Posts

    • saevel25
      How Much Water do You Need to Drink?

      By saevel25 · Posted

      It sucks to carry around a lot of water, but ideally it should be way more than we think.  I buy those gallon jugs of water and hang them from my pushcart when I walk. I agree with the electrolytes as well. You don't just sweat out water, but you lose electrolytes as well. 
    • WUTiger
      Workout Before or After Playing a Round of Golf (2022)

      By WUTiger · Posted

      A 2010 study from the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research compares the effects of different pre-round stretch routines for competitive golfers. Active Dynamic Warm-up: Swing Medicus driver, hit 3 shots each with selected clubs. Passive Static Stretches: Various athletic stretches such as hamstrings, chest stretch and reverse trunk twist. The subjects were collegiate golfers with a HDCP index of 5 or less who engaged regularly in strength and fitness routines. All golfers had two test days: one with active dynamic (AD) warmup, a second with AD followed by static stretches (SS). The results were then compared, within golfers and across golfers. For performance testing after the warmups, golfers hit three driver shots at time 0, 15, 30 and 45 minutes after the warmup. The study shows that static stretch formats produced poorer performance outcomes in the four measures shown in Table 5, which shows Time Zero results. The performance deficits under the PSS protocol decreased over time. Some suggestions on why the passive protocol was tied to lower performance than the active protocol: The passive stretches routine induced excessive range of motion,  basically producing wobbles in the golf swing. Other research indicates that the stretching produced slack in the tendons, lessening the amount of muscle force that could be transferred into the shot. One caveat: The study had good scientific controls and balancing of treatments (test routines). This was, however, an exploratory study and raises as many questions as it answers. Also, although the study was done back in 2010, it is still cited as a primary work in recent reviews. A quick online search did not reveal any follow-ups on the study. For those interested, the study PDF is below. PassiveStretchGOLF.pdf  
    • WUTiger
      How Much Water do You Need to Drink?

      By WUTiger · Posted

      I have trouble with vertigo on occasion, but have gotten nutritional and biofeedback tips to keep it at bay. Dehydration can help trigger v-like symptoms so one recommendation, along with maintaining overall hydration, is to start with 8 oz. of water early in the morning. A meta-analysis on Golf As Physical Activity indicated that golf is rated as a moderately intensive physical activity. This scientific literature review came from the University of Edinburgh. The physical activity level ties into hydration. A former university colleague was a marathon runner who had published a couple of articles on endurance training. He likewise said that golf was a moderate physical activity especially when the round stretched past  the two-hour mark. For hydration he recommended switching from water to electrolyte drink on the back nine (past two hour point of exercise) to prevent cramping. At the two-hour point of moderate activity, water starts flushing electrolytes out of the body, which can lead to fatigue and cramping. (I have had trouble with leg cramps in the past during exertion.) During a round, I start out with water on the front nine and switch to sports drink on the back nine. If the day is unusually hot, I may drink 8 oz. of Pedialite concentrate before going to the course. Maintaining overall hydration plus on-course boosters keeps me going.
    • Mystique
      Puerto Vallarta Vacation / Vidanta

      By Mystique · Posted

      Personally I’d try booking direct first - either via the Vidanta golf reservations number/email or through the resort concierge - especially for Christmas/New Year. Vidanta’s main courses (Greg Norman and Nicklaus designs) are popular and can book out fast this time of year, so direct often gives you the best shot at your preferred tee times.
    • WillieT
      Wordle Daily Puzzle

      By WillieT · Posted

      Wordle 1,677 5/6* ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜ ⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜🟩🟩 🟩⬜⬜🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

  I accept