Question:
I just switched to soft spikes and don’t expect I’ll ever go back.
Last Friday I played 9 holes after work. When I walked up (making that sound on the pavement with my metal spikes), they said, "oh, we require soft spikes." Time was short (running out of daylight), so rather than waiting for them to change out my spikes, I accepted their offer of wearing a "loaner pair" of shoes. (Hey, if bowlers can do it, what the heck.) I’m glad I did. The soft spikes are terrific. While I suspect there might be some slippage on wet turf (it was dry when I played in ‘em), or on hilly lies (not supposed to hit it there), I had no problem. From time to time, I like to practice (and even play the occasional round) in my tennis shoes. This forces me to stay in balance and not let my lower body get "too" active. Even better still, the Foot Joy loaner shoes were cool, too. (Soft Joys) Now I know what my next pair of shoes will be! And for sure, I’ll put soft spikes in ‘em. By the way, as a result of the requirement of wearning soft spikes, the greens, even at 5:00 PM, were PERFECT.
Response:
Newsgroups: rec.sport.golf I just switched to soft spikes and don’t expect I’ll ever go back.
Last Friday I played 9 holes after work. When I walked up (making that sound on the pavement with my metal spikes), they said, "oh, we require soft spikes." Time was short (running out of daylight), so rather than waiting for them to change out my spikes, I accepted their offer of wearing a "loaner pair" of shoes. (Hey, if bowlers can do it, what the heck.) I’m glad I did. The soft spikes are terrific. While I suspect there might be some slippage on wet turf (it was dry when I played in ‘em), or on hilly lies (not supposed to hit it there), I had no problem. From time to time, I like to practice (and even play the occasional round) in my tennis shoes. This forces me to stay in balance and not let my lower body get "too" active. Even better still, the Foot Joy loaner shoes were cool, too. (Soft Joys) Now I know what my next pair of shoes will be! And for sure, I’ll put soft spikes in ‘em. By the way, as a result of the requirement of wearning soft spikes, the greens, even at 5:00 PM, were PERFECT. Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Mime-Version: 1.0 NNTP-Posting-Host: ppp-151-164-42-2.eulstx.swbell.net Organization: Dallas/Fort Worth Golf Web Page: http://www.flash.net/~rrb
Response:
My Opinion of Soft spikes I used soft spikes for the first time last fall. They for one are way more comfortable on the feet. My shoes are top of the line but what a big difference with soft spikes. The greens at the end of the day are great. No spike marks around the holes. The only problem I can mention is that when walking down steep hills make sure you watch your balance. Your feet can come from under you easily. I wish that people would "get with it". It does not effect your swing. I am 6′ , 200 lbs and take a fair swipe at it. No swing problems at all with the soft spikes. I think if we got rid of the metal spikes, and the assholes that drag their feet, the greens would always be perfect. I cannot believe that any PGA Pros have not shown the balls to where soft spikes. It will only work if the PGA pros start the trend. Hey Tiger baby start the trend.
Response:
If spike marks are never an issue, why do the final groups of the PGA Tour events complain about having to putt over them? And, why is it that I’ve seen the spike marks on tv when they show that low angle from behind the ball? Just asking. —
Because soft spikes are NOT required on the PGA Tour. You wouldn’t see those same spike marks if they went to soft spikes. Ray Floyd already has! — Mulligan Software http://www.mulligansw.com/
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – News article in the Feb. 28, 1997 Star Ledger reported that "Beginning March 15, players wearing metal spikes on their golf shoes will not be allowed onto the three county-run golf courses…Only golfers wearing non-metal, or "soft-spikes" will be permitted to play. "Metal spikes pull the grass up, while soft spikes leave an imprint but do not impair the grass" said the manager of golf operations. "the county decided to implement the policy that has been adopted by more than 1,200 private and public golf courses throughout the country, officials said." "Golfers who show up with metal spikes will be asked to got to the pro shop, where they can piurchase soft spikes." The county manager added, "Also, loose spikes can damage equipment, such as when a spike hits a piece of mowing equipment. In addition to the cost of the repair, there is an obvious impact on the cpourse if the equipment is down." I would be interested in pro and con comments about the policy expressed above. I have played on courses including several in California, Maryland, Hawaii, New Jersey and others and have yet to come across one of the 1,200 that have banned metal spikes. What I have found is that some courses have banned the SPIKELESS shoes. What is your experience? I would like to share the views from this news group with the county officials. many I work at a muni course in Nampa, Idaho. Last year we switched to spikeless, as did the new course across the street. Two country clubs in the area are spikeless, and this winter I heard that four more courses will be changing to a spikeless policy in the next two years. At our course we had very few complaints. As the busiest course in Idaho (about 65-68,000 rounds per year) I would estimate maybe 100 real complaints about the policy. Most people just changed their spikes, no problem. Since we have changed however, I cannot count the number of positive comments we have had on the condition of our greens. It is so nice to be able to play a 5:00 Saturday afternoon and not have to worry about 1000 spike marks between my ball and the hole. After wearing softspikes for two years now, in all conditions, I will never return to metal spikes. I like the way they feel when I walk, especially on pavement; I like they way they hold; and I love the way they leave the greens. Snip I worked on a course in the Bay Area with over 100,000 rounds per year played. Spike marks were never an issue either from a maintenance standpoint or from players. Proper green maintenance is the key. I’ve played golf for 35 years and never felt spike marks were a big issue. But I guess the 90’s are different somehow.
If spike marks are never an issue, why do the final groups of the PGA Tour events complain about having to putt over them? And, why is it that I’ve seen the spike marks on tv when they show that low angle from behind the ball? Just asking. — ** Chris McNaught Centennial Golf Course ** ** Nampa, Idaho 83651 ** ** ** ** http://www.netnow.micron.net/~mcnaught ** ** ** ** GOLF PUTS A MAN’S CHARACTER ON THE ANVIL AND HIS ** ** RICHEST QUALITIES PATIENCE, POISE, RESTRAINT ** ** TO THE FLAME. **
Response:
Just played Bayhill last month. They are going to soft spikes only soon. They changed mine out for $5 but will soon require it. I like the soft spikes better. Anon
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – News article in the Feb. 28, 1997 Star Ledger reported that "Beginning March 15, players wearing metal spikes on their golf shoes will not be allowed onto the three county-run golf courses…Only golfers wearing non-metal, or "soft-spikes" will be permitted to play. "Metal spikes pull the grass up, while soft spikes leave an imprint but do not impair the grass" said the manager of golf operations. "the county decided to implement the policy that has been adopted by more than 1,200 private and public golf courses throughout the country, officials said." "Golfers who show up with metal spikes will be asked to got to the pro shop, where they can piurchase soft spikes." The county manager added, "Also, loose spikes can damage equipment, such as when a spike hits a piece of mowing equipment. In addition to the cost of the repair, there is an obvious impact on the cpourse if the equipment is down." I would be interested in pro and con comments about the policy expressed above. I have played on courses including several in California, Maryland, Hawaii, New Jersey and others and have yet to come across one of the 1,200 that have banned metal spikes. What I have found is that some courses have banned the SPIKELESS shoes. What is your experience? I would like to share the views from this news group with the county officials. many I work at a muni course in Nampa, Idaho. Last year we switched to spikeless, as did the new course across the street. Two country clubs in the area are spikeless, and this winter I heard that four more courses will be changing to a spikeless policy in the next two years. At our course we had very few complaints. As the busiest course in Idaho (about 65-68,000 rounds per year) I would estimate maybe 100 real complaints about the policy. Most people just changed their spikes, no problem. Since we have changed however, I cannot count the number of positive comments we have had on the condition of our greens. It is so nice to be able to play a 5:00 Saturday afternoon and not have to worry about 1000 spike marks between my ball and the hole. After wearing softspikes for two years now, in all conditions, I will never return to metal spikes. I like the way they feel when I walk, especially on pavement; I like they way they hold; and I love the way they leave the greens.
Snip I worked on a course in the Bay Area with over 100,000 rounds per year played. Spike marks were never an issue either from a maintenance standpoint or from players. Proper green maintenance is the key. I’ve played golf for 35 years and never felt spike marks were a big issue. But I guess the 90’s are different somehow.
Response:
(most of srticle snipped) I would like to share the views from this news group with the county officials. many
I just switched to soft spikes and don’t expect I’ll ever go back. My switch was one of comfort rather than regulation. Since I’ve switched, I’ve experienced no (new) problems with my game, in fact after walking 18 in soft-spikes my legs still have some spring left in them.
Response:
I just switched to soft spikes and don’t expect I’ll ever go back. My switch was one of comfort rather than regulation. Since I’ve switched, I’ve experienced no (new) problems with my game, in fact after walking 18 in soft-spikes my legs still have some spring left in them.
I just switched back to regular spikes after playing a few rounds in the soft ones. While I loved the comfort the soft spikes provided, and I’m sure I would love the better greens (I have never played a spikless course), I found in very wet and sloppy conditions, the soft spikes slipped a lot. I will probly go back to the soft spikes in the summer when everything dries out a bit. Jerome
Response:
News article in the Feb. 28, 1997 Star Ledger reported that "Beginning March 15, players wearing metal spikes on their golf shoes will not be allowed onto the three county-run golf courses…Only golfers wearing non-metal, or "soft-spikes" will be permitted to play.
This is in New Jersey, something you didn’t mention. When I heard it in the local news, I listened to which County. It wasn’t Monmouth (my home), but Union. I would be interested in pro and con comments about the policy expressed above. I have played on courses including several in California, Maryland, Hawaii, New Jersey and others and have yet to come across one of the 1,200 that have banned metal spikes. What I have found is that some courses have banned the SPIKELESS shoes. What is your experience?
My mileage is considerably different from yours. I have been to a few spikeless courses (both private and public), but have never seen a ban on spikeless shoes. If the Monmouth County courses went spikeless tomorrow, you wouldn’t hear any complaints from me. Reasons: - More often than not, I play them without my spikes anyway. Much more comfortable, and my game does not suffer. - The greens putt truer at the spikeless courses I’ve played. I would like to share the views from this news group with the county officials.
Well, let me know if you share this view with the county officials, since it doesn’t seem to jibe with what you’re trying to convince them. Cheers! Dave
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – News article in the Feb. 28, 1997 Star Ledger reported that "Beginning March 15, players wearing metal spikes on their golf shoes will not be allowed onto the three county-run golf courses…Only golfers wearing non-metal, or "soft-spikes" will be permitted to play. "Metal spikes pull the grass up, while soft spikes leave an imprint but do not impair the grass" said the manager of golf operations. "the county decided to implement the policy that has been adopted by more than 1,200 private and public golf courses throughout the country, officials said." "Golfers who show up with metal spikes will be asked to got to the pro shop, where they can piurchase soft spikes." The county manager added, "Also, loose spikes can damage equipment, such as when a spike hits a piece of mowing equipment. In addition to the cost of the repair, there is an obvious impact on the cpourse if the equipment is down." I would be interested in pro and con comments about the policy expressed above. I have played on courses including several in California, Maryland, Hawaii, New Jersey and others and have yet to come across one of the 1,200 that have banned metal spikes. What I have found is that some courses have banned the SPIKELESS shoes. What is your experience? I would like to share the views from this news group with the county officials. many
I work at a muni course in Nampa, Idaho. Last year we switched to spikeless, as did the new course across the street. Two country clubs in the area are spikeless, and this winter I heard that four more courses will be changing to a spikeless policy in the next two years. At our course we had very few complaints. As the busiest course in Idaho (about 65-68,000 rounds per year) I would estimate maybe 100 real complaints about the policy. Most people just changed their spikes, no problem. Since we have changed however, I cannot count the number of positive comments we have had on the condition of our greens. It is so nice to be able to play a 5:00 Saturday afternoon and not have to worry about 1000 spike marks between my ball and the hole. After wearing softspikes for two years now, in all conditions, I will never return to metal spikes. I like the way they feel when I walk, especially on pavement; I like they way they hold; and I love the way they leave the greens. — ** Chris McNaught Centennial Golf Course ** ** Nampa, Idaho 83651 ** ** ** ** http://www.netnow.micron.net/~mcnaught ** ** ** ** GOLF PUTS A MAN’S CHARACTER ON THE ANVIL AND HIS ** ** RICHEST QUALITIES PATIENCE, POISE, RESTRAINT ** ** TO THE FLAME. **
Response:
News article in the Feb. 28, 1997 Star Ledger reported that "Beginning March 15, players wearing metal spikes on their golf shoes will not be allowed onto the three county-run golf courses…Only golfers wearing non-metal, or "soft-spikes" will be permitted to play. "Metal spikes pull the grass up, while soft spikes leave an imprint but do not impair the grass" said the manager of golf operations. "the county decided to implement the policy that has been adopted by more than 1,200 private and public golf courses throughout the country, officials said." "Golfers who show up with metal spikes will be asked to got to the pro shop, where they can piurchase soft spikes." The county manager added, "Also, loose spikes can damage equipment, such as when a spike hits a piece of mowing equipment. In addition to the cost of the repair, there is an obvious impact on the cpourse if the equipment is down." I would be interested in pro and con comments about the policy expressed above. I have played on courses including several in California, Maryland, Hawaii, New Jersey and others and have yet to come across one of the 1,200 that have banned metal spikes. What I have found is that some courses have banned the SPIKELESS shoes. What is your experience? I would like to share the views from this news group with the county officials. many