New Style Golf Shoes Good or Bad? Opinions? Cancel The title field is required!

1. Paul Double

   

   37 posts
   
   11/20/2012 9:11 PM

   The new style golf shoes, sometimes called waffle shoes are raising some concerns. We have push up greens, and when they get wet they stay wet a little longer. It seems any time the greens are softer then usual, these waffle shoes leave more impressions and marks then typical soft spikes. We have had some golfers complain about them and some say they will never go back to the old spikes. Anybody else see any turf issues with these new spikes? Thanks.
   
   
   Paul L Double
   Sugar Valley Golf Club
   1250 Mead Rd
   Bellbrook, OH 45305

   
   
   
   
2. Clay Putnam

   

   33 posts
   
   11/21/2012 5:11 AM

   Seems the only true solution to all of golf spike problems is to either go to concrete greens or play in tennis shoes. I guess we're left with picking our poison.

   
   
   
   
3. Sandy Clark

   

   0 posts
   
   11/21/2012 9:11 AM

   We each received a pair of these shoes at out annual supt. tournament. I didn't notice the foot printing too much on our firm bent greens. When I played in a fun event on pure Poa greens, I was amazed at the marks I was leaving. I think I will stick to my regular golf shoes most of the time.

   
   
   
   
4. Corey Eastwood

   

   80 posts
   
   11/21/2012 12:11 PM

   I like these. They actually came out from the UK in the late 70's but did not catch on. But the fact is you do not need "golf shoes". I have not used them since 1990. Comfortable walking shoes or tennies work great. I play in sandals nine months per year.

   
   Corey Eastwood CGCS, Stockton Golf & CC, Retired
   
   
5. Richard Jensen

   

   0 posts
   
   11/21/2012 12:11 PM

   Bad, bad, bad and they're only getting worse. Spent some time with the foot joy rep last week and some of the new styles are much more agressive than steel spikes ever were. Can't wait till some of our foot shufflers get ahold of the newer styles.

   
   
   
   
6. Dalton Andrew

   
   11/21/2012 7:11 PM

   Not really sure if shoes are the problem, I think people need to learn how to walk! After working on golf courses, I am convinced that we need to start teaching proper walking techniques right before recess.
   
   Andy

   
   
   
   
7. Justin VanLanduit

   

   0 posts
   
   11/22/2012 9:11 AM

   This has become a topic of discussion here at our club and we're trying to figure out what direction to go in. Since "soft spikes" first came out they've went through a major evolution to a point that is so far beyond their original intention. Not only now are shoes made with the spikes in them but all the other fancy traction patterns on the bottom of the shoe as well. We are currently looking at banning spike such as the Black Widow or others that when pressure is applied they spread out more. There has been conversation about the "waffle" style shoes here as well in that they track too much. I try to pay attention when I play as I have a few pairs and there is a large difference depending on greens conditions. If greens are soft they track up pretty bad, but if somewhat dry and firm they disappear quite fast. I think the large part in ownership goes on the golfer and the etiquette of walking properly. Maybe this is something as an association we take ahold of and begin talking with the PGA, USGA, and shoe companies to let them know the negative that all these new shoes are having on our putting greens. Nike has come out with some very nice, not very aggressive new golf shoes that hopefully more will model from. I personally wouldn't mind going back to the metal spikes where then you only had 9-11 single points on the bottom of the shoe making one little scratch if dragged on the surface rather than now if someone drags their feet you can see a whole foot width of a scuff mark.
   
   Justin

   
   
   
   
8. Ashton Alan W

   
   11/23/2012 8:11 AM

   Andrew Dalton said: Not really sure if shoes are the problem, I think people need to learn how to walk! After working on golf courses, I am convinced that we need to start teaching proper walking techniques right before recess.
   
   Andy

   
   
   BINGO!
   
   With the geriatric set, I contend that 20,000 rounds is more like 40,000 if you account for the shuffling!

   
   
   
   
9. Timothy Walker

   

   0 posts
   
   11/23/2012 3:11 PM

   I agree with Justin on this one - bring back the metal spikes or go spikeless altogether!