Forum Groups

 

Forums / Talking Turf / New Golf Spikes and Damage

New Golf Spikes and Damage

7 posts
  1. Kevin Leo
    Kevin Leo avatar
    0 posts
    2/11/2015 5:02 AM
    Just checking around. Has anyone or everyone noticed the increase in damage from golf spike or spike less shoes on their greens? we are located in SW Florida and for one reason or another in the past month or so I have seen a lot of damage from golfers that I have not seen in the past. We are experiencing more players and they may be older. Tif-eagle greens are being mowed at .165" with go density and a strong root system. is it me or is has the damage increased? Thank you.



  2. Keith Pegg
    Keith Pegg avatar
    0 posts
    2/11/2015 3:02 PM
    Kevin F Leo said: Just checking around. Has anyone or everyone noticed the increase in damage from golf spike or spike less shoes on their greens? we are located in SW Florida and for one reason or another in the past month or so I have seen a lot of damage from golfers that I have not seen in the past. We are experiencing more players and they may be older. Tif-eagle greens are being mowed at .165" with go density and a strong root system. is it me or is has the damage increased? Thank you.


    Never though I would say wish the old spikes were back. The new ones are really bad if a little wet, we see a lot of damage.
    Keith



  3. Andy Jorgensen
    Andy Jorgensen avatar
    1 posts
    2/11/2015 8:02 PM
    Lots of talk over past few months on Twitter about the Adidas spikes. They are causing issues all over. Some clubs even banning them.



  4. Robert Wagner
    Robert Wagner avatar
    2 posts
    2/12/2015 10:02 AM
    Slower growing winter greens, shuffling of older membership's feet, AddiZero type shoes= BAD Drag/Spike Marks.

    How about the latest FootJoy Ladies "sandals" Anyone concerned about residual pesticide exposure?

    [attachment=0">sandal fj.jpg[/attachment">

    Wags


    p.s.- Kevin: long time, hope all is well!



  5. Andrew Cross
    Andrew Cross avatar
    5 posts
    2/12/2015 10:02 AM
    I would not be worried in the least about the exposure, the materials should be dried on the plants before they walk through it anyway. Also if you calculated the amount of actual active ingredient they would be exposed to after its been diluted and sprayed it would be very minuscule anyway.

    I spray and am well versed in the SDS sheets and I still play golf barefoot time and again. We also don't spray any restricted pesticides that are very dangerous anyway, I just prefer to seek alternatives as I don't want to handle those during the most dangerous stage to me which is mixing/loading.



  6. Justin VanLanduit
    Justin VanLanduit avatar
    0 posts
    2/12/2015 12:02 PM
    Believe this is something that is going to become more of an issue, looking at the traction patterns on some of the newer spikes that have hit the market. We are a long way off from what I feel was the original intent of "soft spikes". Shoe companies don't care about the residual damage that they may create, they are about the look. I'm not sure how the original "soft spike" movement began and gained traction as I was a sophomore in high school, but I think a new one needs to be started. Local Chapters and the National need to start voicing concern with local PGA professionals so they can inform their shoe representatives. Not all are bad but more and more are becoming that way. USGA should take a concerned interest in this as well. Hate to be one to tell someone what shoes they can and cannot wear on the golf course but if it's affecting our greens in a negative manor than I'll be that Ahole. Like stated above, there was a good amount of traction on this through twitter. I think if companies were to be included in those tweets they may take notice, especially if the tweet gains some headway. They pay people to monitor the tweets for negative press and look to make it right. I've used social media a few times to get something addressed by a company if I'm not making progress through local avenues. Just my opinion. We're not playing football here, it's golf.



  7. Melvin Waldron
    Melvin Waldron avatar
    43 posts
    2/12/2015 2:02 PM
    Just my two cents but it seemed the metal spikes really became an issue with lower heights of cut and drying greens out to get more speed.

    I sometimes wonder if part of the new problem with the soft spikes is heights of cut and keeping the tops of the greens a little moist because of the low heights of cut. I will notice issues at places I've played before lunch, but afternoons not really see it unless a syringe cycle has been done.

    Also I wonder if different wetting agents and greens construction methods play a part in this as well?

    We mow at .156 with a triplex, I think keep greens on the dry side, infrequent deep watering; we see from our moisture meter around 17-24% and don't water until it is down in the lower teens and we aren't seeing the issues. Of course we have a lot of senior golfers who aren't out buying the new shoes either.

    Mel

    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO

View or change your forums profile here.