Soft/metal spikes

RE: Soft/metal spikes

JJohnson — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 14:40:05 GMT

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.

RE: Soft/metal spikes

DStelmach — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 23:26:22 GMT

Would like to go back to metal. Good point on how they gunk up quickly in wet weather. Metal spikes did not do that.

RE: Soft/metal spikes

steven c — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 12:00:58 GMT

I use the the champ stringer pro in all my shoes love them !!!

RE: Soft/metal spikes

Peter CB — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 19:28:28 GMT

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.

RE: Soft/metal spikes

Chuck Z — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 22:04:50 GMT

[quote user="Peter CB"]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.

[/quote]

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.

RE: Soft/metal spikes

Peter CB — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 21:01:47 GMT

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.

RE: Soft/metal spikes

Eric H — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 11:12:02 GMT

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

RE: Soft/metal spikes

Frank P — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 18:29:21 GMT

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.

RE: Soft/metal spikes

Peter CB — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 21:57:33 GMT

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.

RE: Soft/metal spikes

WKilloran — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 18:41:11 GMT

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.

RE: Soft/metal spikes

Barry M — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 18:20:51 GMT

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.

RE: Soft/metal spikes

Peter CB — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 06:30:34 GMT

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.

RE: Soft/metal spikes

Keith M — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 13:34:31 GMT

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.)

RE: Soft/metal spikes

Peter CB — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 12:30:04 GMT

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

RE: Soft/metal spikes

Peter CB — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 10:31:09 GMT

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.

RE: Soft/metal spikes

Chris92009 — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 11:17:18 GMT

If you do get metal spikes they may weigh a lot?

RE: Soft/metal spikes

Chuck Z — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 00:46:32 GMT

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.

RE: Soft/metal spikes

Doug E — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 17:09:36 GMT

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.

RE: Soft/metal spikes

Dale V — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 21:13:22 GMT

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