Plastic vs. metal: Cleat battle heats up

[Gxgolfer]

By Tom Spousta, USA TODAY

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The majority of PGA Tour players have switched to some form of plastic cleat since 1996, when everybody had metal spikes.

"It's something that will be addressed," says PGA Tour golfer John Cook, who favors plastic. "At some point, you've got to protect the field. If you see a guy that walks around the hole like Phil does or some of these guys do, and they've got 8-millimeter spikes on, there's no doubt that is a disadvantage to whoever might be playing behind those guys."

Vijay Singh, who wears plastic cleats, complained about spike marks left by Mickelson at this year's Masters, which led to a confrontation in the champions locker room. The issue of spikes resurfaced two weeks ago at the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee amid wet conditions and soft greens, leading to the petition at the Buick Open.

World No. 1 Tiger Woods typically wears a custom-made shoe with both kinds of spikes in the soles.

"It's got no chance. You can't ban metal spikes," says Lee Janzen, who prefers metal, of the petition.

Janzen points out that many players also criticize plastic spikes for leaving large waffle-like indentations.

"I tried wearing Softspikes, and I slipped a lot. I feel like I'm at a disadvantage wearing them," he says. "In special circumstances, if the greens really spike up that bad, then maybe they ought to just let us tap them down. That seems more logical than trying to get guys not to wear them."

[sergizmo]

It's time to ban metal spikes. They do damage the green and effect the play of others. If some players don't like it too bad, it's for the good of all players.

 

Who gives a crap what Lee Janzen thinks? Who watches the PGA to see Lee Janzen? Answer: NO ONE.

[golfernut78]

i agree with banning the metal spikes. i was playing up in the dc area last week and the greens were extremely soft. a person in the group i was playing with had metal spikes and was destroying the greens. i could not believe it. now, everyone was leaving marks on the green, but he was tearing up the greens.

 

as a side note, i am an architect at a firm that specializes in country clubs (clubhouse buildings, not golf courses) and plastic spikes allow us more options for floorings. metal spikes would ruin carpets, tiles and wood floors. we do work on some of the old school clubs that still allow metal spikes and we've been called in to replace carpets frequently.

[Goose]

On the contrary i believe metal spikes should be allowed to stay...I know im young but i have played in metal spikes before and they do make a big difference. I wish courses still allowed them and i wish more junior tournaments i play in allow them.....but i do understand why every day golfers shouldnt be wearing them and fully support that since most people drag their feet across the greens ne ways so metal spikes would just chew em up more....

 

BUT personally i like meatal spikes better especially when playing in tournaments because they give better traction

[stage1350]

The ceramic spikes were a great compromise. Soft spike wear on the greens and metal durability. Only problems were traction on tile (none) floors in the clubhouse and they tear up lawnmower blades when they get lost.

 

Coors Ceramics used to make them and I wore them for many years. I wish they were still around. My stash is getting short in supply!