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

[nevets88]

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?

 

[MuniGrit]

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.

[jsgolfer]

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.

[Groucho Valentine]

I think Tiger and Phil Mickleson still roll with metal spikes.  Probably a few other guys in that age range, too. 

[iacas]

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.

[billchao]

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. 

[3jacker]

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). 

 

[nevets88]

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.

[The Hook Meister]

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

[CCC]

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.

[MSchott]

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.

[Buckeyebowman]

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!

[WUTiger]

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 March 29, 2018 by WUTiger