"Soft" Spikes Cancel The title field is required!

1. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   1/26/2012 2:01 PM

   I've been noticing the design of some of the soft spike on the market have almost returned to the original aggressiveness of the old metal spike. Some of them have more "points" than there are spikes on each shoe. And now, today, after returning from the PGA show in Orlando, seeing the new spike technology, and thinking the same exact thing as I've always thought, I notice an article on TurfNet speaking of the issue.
   
   From the article:
   
   "Quinlan and Derby both said the damage they see from shuffling golfers is worse than what they remember with metal spikes. It's a simple matter of math, says Derby. Traditional golf shoes with metal spikes typically had 11 or 12 contact points with the turf. Although contemporary golf shoes accommodate about seven cleats, each plastic spike has six to eight protrusions. That means dozens of contact points with the turf. "
   
   Have the spikes returned to equal or worse damage than before? I've seen the problems too, and can't help to think that the spikes of today are the culprit compared to what the original "soft" spikes were.
   
   Thoughts?
   
   The original article can be found here:
   
   http://www.turfnet.com/view_news.php?obj_id=953

   
   
   
   
2. Homme David R

   
   1/26/2012 2:01 PM

   I'd agree that out on the greens, there's no longer a savings of the turf. I'd have no problem with metal spikes out there, in fact I miss playing in them myself.
   
   I think it's the clubhouse that gains. Carpets and whatever other kind of flooring takes a beating with metal spikes, not so much with the soft spikes.
   
   Dave Homme
   Falls Resort

   
   
   
   
3. Larry Allan

   

   0 posts
   
   1/26/2012 2:01 PM

   Andy. I think in large part our collective memories forget just how damaging metal spikes were. Maybe on the Bermuda the spike marks were not an issue, but up here on poa bent, you didn't dare miss changing pins everyday. The grass was worn severely around the cup, near down to the dirt. I do not see that anymore.
   But I will agree, the newer versions are more damaging.

   
   
   
   
4. James Gray

   

   1 posts
   
   1/26/2012 11:01 PM

   the new Ecco golf shoe is gaining a lot of traction at our course. they are darn comfortable an extremely turf friendly.

   
   
   
   
5. Justin VanLanduit

   

   0 posts
   
   1/27/2012 7:01 AM

   James Gray said: the new Ecco golf shoe is gaining a lot of traction at our course. they are darn comfortable an extremely turf friendly.

   
   
   I just bought a pair myself and I agree that they are "darn comfortable". I've seen a large increase of them here at my club as well and I welcome it, its just unfortunate that they're so expensive. Hopefully with the push they've made more companies develop very similar styles, I saw the other day Addidas has come out with a very similar shoe.

   
   
   
   
6. Keith Lamb

   

   3 posts
   
   1/27/2012 8:01 AM

   Adidas and Ashworth both have versions. They are actually the same company. Gaining popularity here as well and I welcome them.

   
   
   
   
7. Caudle Sterling

   
   1/27/2012 10:01 AM

   You are exactly right Andy. We have seen the same thing at our course. Some of these new "soft spikes" are worse than the old metal spikes.

   
   
   
   
8. Justin VanLanduit

   

   0 posts
   
   1/27/2012 11:01 AM

   Andy,
   
   I think the whole concept of "soft" spikes has gone beyond what the original intention was. I believe initially it was on the right track but then got shifted to "soft" with more traction. I remember the days of metal spikes and when people would drag there feet, there'd be a few lines in the turf that could easily be tapped down with a putter. Now if people drag their feet there is a shoe width mark, even better yet when they dance around after making a putt or slightly missing one. There are days here that we go out and roll greens following our normal ladies play on Tuesday as greens will be tracked up really bad. Not to single the ladies out but that is when it is most noticed. I'd be fine if they were to go back to the metal spikes, or better yet back to the original design of the "soft" spike, not all these aggressive, traction focused spikes that seem to dominate the market these days.

   
   
   
   
9. Ronald Conard

   

   4 posts
   
   1/27/2012 12:01 PM

   I agree that the "soft" spikes are getting more aggressive. The pros don't care. But I'm with Red on this one. No matter how aggressive the newer spikes are, I've yet to see any do the damage of that of the old "hard" spikes.

   
   
   
   
10. Barry Provo

    

    0 posts
    
    1/27/2012 12:01 PM

    I think there a huge problem, not from the agronomy side but from the BALL ROLL side. I have already talked to our clubs shoe rep about my feelings. In my opinion the best thing we could do is flood the USGA with e-mails on what we are seeing and thinking on aggressive soft spikes.I hope a lot of us do this, I know I will http://www.usga.org
    
    
    
    Barry Provo Deer Run Golf Club