This has been a topic that I have been tossing around in my head for quite some time now, and I thought that it would be fun to hear what others have to say. Are Soft Spikes really better for greens? How many times have you crouched down behind your ball to line up a putt, looked down and seen the soft spike indentions left in the green? I know that Metal Spikes did pretty much the opposite, so it is basically like comparing dips in the road to speed bumps. The traction that each provided was a minimal difference in my opinion, but being old school, I just miss that sound those metal spikes made when you walked over concrete.

i dont know if this is true...

but someone told me that within the last couple years, Steve Elkington wore metal spikes to a US Open qualifier, and that specific course wouldnt let him play. he argued that he wore them in every tournament, and that they were legal in the US Open. but rather than just changing shoes, he was stubborn and dropped out! haha anyone else hear this story?!

I actually prefer metal spikes over soft spikes because I think they add traction. I can't tell you how many times i've slipped on the downswing causing me to lay a good size New York Strip just because it was too much for my Soft Spikes. I've never really had this problem with metal spikes, but because more and more clubs are banning them, I am forced to avoid soggy days or risk eating turf after I slip and fall. And you just can't beat the *click* *click* *click* while walking either . Just my .02.

KinG

It's true. You can read the story here >> Steve Elkington

I've bought a few pairs of Eccos that came with Metal and soft spikes. I used scorpion soft spikes and they seem really good to me. Obviously, I think the plastics need to be cahnged more often.

ahh ban them... they old not "old school" in a cool way anyways.

-Green are a little bit better, spike marks are really worse you just dont remember 100+ people putting down spike marks on a green before you got there.
- Less maint on things like bridges, walkways, carpets, bathrooms etc etc
- click click is innoying..besides too much click click leads to sore feet, I remember those days
- I've never slipped badly in softspikes.. my ss is 112+.. swing within yourself and there should be no problem..barring uneven surfaces in which case it's more to do with balance.

My club went back to allowing metal and that is what I wear. I know several of the players out there that wear metal and some that wear soft. Soft are a lot more brutal on a wet green and if somebody that is wearing soft drags there feet when they walk, oh buddy watch out.... Metal is the way to go when it comes to me.

My thoughts exactly!

How about this: Certain types of spikes for a certain handicap range.

Handicap:

20+/ tennis shoes
10-19/ softspikes
0-9/ metal spikes

This way it'll be an honor to wear metal spikes. Like a badge of honor.

Not sure about the badge of honor thing but, it would probably help the greens. All spikes do major damage if you are new to the game and not careful. I would like to see all beginners wear sneakers until they learn to walk with care...

Well the point that someone with soft spikes can drag their feet and do a lot fo damage is the same as saying that someone with metal would rip a green up if they dragged theur feet as well.

I believe it is Sweden (please correct me if i am wrong) where you have to pass a competnecy test in order to play the public courses. Wouldn't it be great if USGA sanctioned courses required proof of attending a seminar covering ball marks, raking traps, ready golf and how to treat a course in general? Of course some people could be taught how to act properly and it still would not matter....

You are correct, someone wearing metal can drag their feet and tear the greens up. But if you notice when someone does drag their feet while wearing soft, it actually scalps the top layer of turf off wherever they do drag their feet. If someone drags with metal, it will more less leave I guess you could call it cut marks which can be tapped down and repaired a lot easier than scalping...

Dont fight about which one does more damage while "dragging" feet.. that shouldn't be done PERIOD.
Point is "normal" use..softspikes do less damage.

exactly!!!

Like someone stated earlier, the only downfall to metal is the damage it causes on clubhouse floors, wood decks, etc. I am a firm believer that damage such as that IS the only reason why most clubs these days don't allow metal spikes. I always loved the excuse that metal spreads whatever disease it was way back then and that is why they were banned. That had to be the biggest crock I have ever heard of. Like my boy TAIII said during the open qualifier, softspikes are only good for playing cards in the clubhouse.

I think metal spikes should be allowed, but there needs to be an alteration to the rules in regards to fixing spike marks.

I think that it is ridiculous that you can repair a pitch mark, but you can't repair where someone has destroyed the green.

'Normal' spike marks on the green do not bother me one bit, it's the pitch marks that people don't repair that get to me.

The Ohio State Golf Assoc. did just that. They now allow the repair of spike marks. They also allow the use of only one particular ball. The spike mark deal should be a local rule I believe. But then again, where would it stop? Next thing you know people would want to be able to pull their ball out of a divot or lift the ball and rake the trap because someone didn't rake it properly and replace the ball. Simp

I agree with both points about metals and repairing spike marks.However I will add my "8 millimeters" here,,,I HATE SOFT SPIKES! I realize some players swings are not affected by their use ,,,however some players have a natural[or unnatural?] tendency to "drive" with their legs and the added traction and stability of metal spikes help them gain the most "drive".Those of you who disagree are welcome to your opinion but as for the player who pushes from the ground up there is a definite disadvantage to soft spikes,,,personally I lose a few yards on middle and long irons with soft spikes and at least 5-10 yards of carry with the driver.
In short I think the soft spike "sell" imposed on us years ago was a money making deal for "Soft Spikes" who paid substantial monies to certain players [Ray Floyd and others?] for endorsements as well as another point of purchase product for the pro-shops.
Of course this is all IMHO.

I can honestly 100% say that I have never once slipped on any terrain no matter the conditions as long as I cleaned the dirt and mud out of my soft spikes. As long as you keep them clean they won't give a player with proper fundamentals any problem.

I know clubs that still allow metal spikes and that's fine on the private side but I hate that some public courses still allow them. I have customers tear me apart that they can't wear their metal spikes but course x down the street will.

I think the best thing to do is get rid of the metal spike and if the PGA Tour allows them that's fine, they do things a bit differently. As for the Elkington case mentioned above it should also be noted that he signed his application knowing that Lakeside in Houston was a soft spike only facility.

I could not agree more!!

During play, I have used both metal and soft spikes and never had an issue, I see more damage from poor or lazy upkeep from those playing before me!

All I ask is that it should be required that all golfers new and seasoned be required to attend classes on how to respect a Golf course, I have been guilty at times of being lazy during play resulting in bad course upkeep and had to remind myself that I am NOT THE ONLY PERSON PLAYING, the thought comes back quickly to:

1. replace or fill my divots
2. pick up my broken tees
3. rake traps that I may or may not have played from
4. repair my ball/metal/soft spike marks.
5. keep my language repectful and quiet
6. place my waste in trash cans
7. abide by the days cart rules
8. watch my pace of play

Spikes no matter the make do much less harm then ignorance or laziness IMO.

a big reason for soft spikes is in the clubhouse. i work for an architecture firm that specializes in clubhouses and our interior designer has told us stories how hard it is to find "spike resistant" flooring materials. if you didn't such flooring options like that then you were replacing finishes often, which got costly. with soft spikes you can use any material and not worry about replacing often. also, metal spikes on tile isn't always a good combination - people slip, usually in restrooms.

I agree with being able to choose. I don't care for softspikes and believe it is a conspiracy by the manufacturers as they do not last long.... I never ever ever ever noticed a problem with spike marks caused by metal spikes. Maybe I was lucky. I patted them down leaving the green, much the same as I would repair pitchmarks. As for slipping in the clubhouse, Darwin rules !

no

Just a few weeks ago, I want to say during the PGA Champ, Tiger's ball was just off a cart path, but had a great lie. So, he played it as it was and had to stand on the cart path. TV announcers said he needed to be careful because he still wears metal spikes which he could lose his grip alot easier...Needless of the spikes, it was a perfect shot, of course...But, interesting to see he still wears them.

That is my biggest pet peeve. Not taking care of the course by it's players. Of course, when when/if I catch up to the group ahead of me and I know they were the ones leaving ball marks and/or not raking the traps, I usually say something. Usually just a gentle reminder. If they get ugly about it I say something to the marshall/clubhouse and they can deal with them.

I've never worn metals, but that said, the only time I've slipped in plastic spikes is when I tried to murder the ball. My belief is I would have slipped in metals as well. Sam makes a good point about keeping your softspikes clean and you'd have no problems. Ever since I have changed the spikes in my 360s to the Scorpion Stinger by Champ, I haven't come close to slipping. IMHO, the Stingers are the best ones out there, and they're the easiest to keep clean and free of the grass.