Soft/metal spikes

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By Peter CB

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  • 19 Replies
  1. Peter CB

    Peter CB
    Bedfordshire, UK

    Given the prevalence of them and the preference of some clubs to ask for Softspikes only, has anyone gone back to the metal spike? I’ve recently put them into my Tour X shoe and felt a huge difference in terms of reaction and stability, especially in my right foot. I’ll be getting another set to put in my Dryjoys now. I notice that clubs, in the UK, now don’t always overtly stipulate they are not allowed.

    Thoughts? Do you miss them? Have you never tried them?

  2. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    Pretty much everywhere in the USA still require soft spikes unless you are in a PGA tour event.
  3. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    Back in the day when I was a kid, I wore them all the time in my Footjoys. 1960s and 70s from what I remember. Since they are not readily available today, I am fine with plastic cleats, but not the newer spikeless designs. Spikeless is fine for range work ors hort game practice, of which I will do in a pair of FJ Contour Casuals, but not out on the course for me. I need more stability, at least psychologically.

    Interestingly, just last month, we were discussing metal spikes in the Pro Shop and the Superintendent from the course at which I work said he thought they were better for the greens than the plastic ones we have today. He felt people don't typically drag their feet as much with metal, as well as they make less of an indent overall. His opinion. Not mine. I don't actually have a strong feeling one way or another, but given the opportunity to use metal again, I probably would. To me, I believe they would feel much more secure for swings taken from severe uneven lies. That could make a positive impact to my game.
  4. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    Hope they don't bring them back in the USA. A lot of amateurs have a bad habit of dragging/dancing their feet on the greens and can only imagine how damage they would do with nails. Just sayin'. Most FootJoy shoes provide ample stability and traction, in that they are the number one shoe on tour. A good number of pros are playing spikeless shoes, both overseas and here in the US.
  5. Peter CB

    Peter CB
    Bedfordshire, UK

    I get where you’re coming from on the foot dragging, interesting to see the other post where it’s not noticed as much.
    I think the stability thing also comes from how quickly soft spikes become clogged up in wet weather. If it’s muddy and wet I notice that the soft spikes and sole can become totally covered, the metal spike is so fast to clean and it doesn’t retain the mud anything near the soft spike amount. From sloping lies this is so important. If you play in predominantly dry areas then there’s probably not much need but certainly here in the UK from now until about May next year it’s going to be wet, muddy and slippery underfoot.
  6. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military

    Peter CB said:

    I get where you’re coming from on the foot dragging, interesting to see the other post where it’s not noticed as much.
    I think the stability thing also comes from how quickly soft spikes become clogged up in wet weather. If it’s muddy and wet I notice that the soft spikes and sole can become totally covered, the metal spike is so fast to clean and it doesn’t retain the mud anything near the soft spike amount. From sloping lies this is so important. If you play in predominantly dry areas then there’s probably not much need but certainly here in the UK from now until about May next year it’s going to be wet, muddy and slippery underfoot.

    I play in the lowcountry of S Carolina, which means we are at sea level. When at High tides, our lakes overflow and when it rains the course can get pretty wet and soggy. Have never had an issue with Softspikes or scorpions in my FJ shoes clogging. Also have a pair of FJ rain boots for the extra muddy days. I keep them pretty well cleaned out after each round. Rain is rain and mud is mud. Never had an issue. Please do not bring back those awful metal spikes. Heavy and damaging to the courses, when used by amateurs. I believe the ones I have seen the pros use are the Champ Pro Stringer which is a combination of a metal and soft spike, which create a lot of traction. Sounds like we have the Battle of Sullivan's Island and we yanks seem not in favor of the nails you guys over there still prefer, the old school metal spikes. Hakuna matata.
  7. Peter CB

    Peter CB
    Bedfordshire, UK

    Those are the ones we get over here and I’ve put in my shoes. You can’t get just plain spikes, it’s the stinger combo that gets sold.
  8. If you do get metal spikes they may weigh a lot?
  9. Peter CB

    Peter CB
    Bedfordshire, UK

    63gram for 18 spikes. It’s not something you’re going to notice while walking.
  10. Keith M

    Keith M
    Acworth, GA

    You might if they're 63 grams more than soft spikes. Around 7K steps walking for a round of golf is about 440 kg of additional weight in the cumulative sense. (970 lbs for those of in the US.)
  11. Peter CB

    Peter CB
    Bedfordshire, UK

    18 softspikes were 47g so the difference between the two over both feet is 16grams. You really are not going to notice that. A jumper/windtop is closer to 400g so 16 is completely imperceptible.
  12. Barry M

    Barry M
    Reno, NV

    I miss the old metal spikes. If you're over 30 you probably can remember the satisfaction of hearing that unique spike to cartpath clatter in the early morning reminding you that you were where you always belonged.
    I haven't seen metal spikes at a golf course in a long time, but I can tell you I see just as much greens damage from some of the soft (hard plastic) spikes as I used to see from the metal spikes.
  13. I don’t miss metal spikes when walking on the tile bathroom floor, and clubs don’t miss the damage they do to carpets and grill room chairs. I really can’t remember the last time I slipped wearing either soft spikes, or spikeless shoes.
  14. Peter CB

    Peter CB
    Bedfordshire, UK

    Who on earth wears spikes and puts them on chairs? Feet remain on the floor and change your shoes before going into the bar. I don’t slip that often but have done certainly. It’s very much each to their own on this, there’s certainly no right or wrong. As long as everyone respects the course and the clubhouse we’re all good.
  15. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    I would prefer metal spikes, but to be honest, the FJ Premier with the combo soft spikes/ spikeless tread gives plenty of traction. I don't really see clubs going back to metal spikes.
  16. Eric H

    Eric H
    Ridgway, PA

    Im kinda surprised that metal spikes are allowed anywhere these days. Personally, Im glad they are gone and hope they never return. Way to many people out there who dont care about other people out on the golf course or really in the world in general. Public course greens would be in for a beat down from metal spikes
  17. Peter CB

    Peter CB
    Bedfordshire, UK

    We seem to be able to wear them without issue in the UK. If you scuff your feet even with the soft spikes it’ll leave tracks on the green, seen it done many a time.
  18. steven c

    steven c
    leeds, ae

    I use the the champ stringer pro in all my shoes love them !!!
  19. Would like to go back to metal. Good point on how they gunk up quickly in wet weather. Metal spikes did not do that.
  20. JJohnson

    JJohnson
    Jersey Village, TX

    I'm indifferent. While I grew up wearing metal spikes (and enjoyed the sound and early morning sparks) I don't have any stability issues. I just grabbed my 3rd pair of Pro S/Ls to complement my Premier series and bounce back and forth for whatever mood I'm in that day.

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