Spikeless Golf Shoes to Tournament?

[hammy83]

I go for comfort. Usually shorts and a breathable T so I am not BO guy. Because I am in he sub 40 category I usually wear running shoes (instead of walking shoes) I laugh to myself at the guys who dress like their name is being called on the first tee.

[North Butte]

I go for comfort. Usually shorts and a breathable T so I am not BO guy. Because I am in he sub 40 category I usually wear running shoes (instead of walking shoes) I laugh to myself at the guys who dress like their name is being called on the first tee.

 

For all you know they laugh at the guys who look like they got lost on the way to the gym.

[pheenomz4774]

I guess I don't get the people who think its out of the ordinary to where what you would wear when you are regularly playing to watch a tournament. Golf is unique as a spectator sport as you are pretty much doing the exact same thing you would be playing, except 72-80 times you aren't pulling out a club and hitting a ball with it. You're doing about the same amount of walking, over the same terrain, in the same conditions as the pros at your average tourney if you are following a group. They make golf shirts, shorts, hats, and shoes to feel comfortable on the golf course. Why not use them when watching?

[youraway2]

Absolutely! Where the patrons walk is not down the center of the fairway and the footing can be challenging. No doubt with all the rain and pine needles footing can be slippery at Augusta, been there and experienced walking down the right side of number 10, steep, slippery when wet.

 

Wear comfortable but shoes that will provide safe footing.

[tnord]

i couldn't be the guy that wears his spiked golf shoes to a tournament.....BUT.....with the forecast for tomorrow at Augusta, and a flight back to KS tomorrow night...i'm probably bringing my waterproof nike bandons. i would typically just wear old tennis shoes, but having to wear them the rest of the day on the plane and everything with wet socks sounds horrible.

[North Butte]

I'd have a change of socks squirreled away to change into no matter what shoes you wear.

[tnord]

i will have multiple pairs with me for sure...but if your shoes are soaked, it doesn't much matter.

[denw2o]

I guess I don't get the people who think its out of the ordinary to where what you would wear when you are regularly playing to watch a tournament. Golf is unique as a spectator sport as you are pretty much doing the exact same thing you would be playing, except 72-80 times you aren't pulling out a club and hitting a ball with it. You're doing about the same amount of walking, over the same terrain, in the same conditions as the pros at your average tourney if you are following a group. They make golf shirts, shorts, hats, and shoes to feel comfortable on the golf course. Why not use them when watching?

 

Exactly. You're walking around for hours outside, so it makes sense to wear comfortable, breathable clothing designed for exactly that purpose.

[hammy83]

I go for comfort. Usually shorts and a breathable T so I am not BO guy. Because I am in he sub 40 category I usually wear running shoes (instead of walking shoes) I laugh to myself at the guys who dress like their name is being called on the first tee.

 

For all you know they laugh at the guys who look like they got lost on the way to the gym.

not even comparable. Now if I said I go to crossfit comps as a spectator decked out in all reebok crossfit wear or go to Mr Universe in a strigger to watch, then you might have a point. keep in mind I said laugh to myself. I do tons of crap that is worthy of someone laughing at me. I'm ok with it. So if you want to go to a tournament and pretend youre in it...go ahead. At the end of the day.... The caddies are wearing running shoes and shorts for a reason.

[tnord]

I go for comfort. Usually shorts and a breathable T so I am not BO guy. Because I am in he sub 40 category I usually wear running shoes (instead of walking shoes) I laugh to myself at the guys who dress like their name is being called on the first tee.

 

For all you know they laugh at the guys who look like they got lost on the way to the gym.

The caddies are wearing running shoes and shorts for a reason.

 

there's your winner.

[MidwestGolfBum]

Why do people own so many pairs of golf shoes?

Because they can??

 

I don't know, just a guess :)

 

My Best,

RP

 

I had thought I gave a pretty good list of reasons for having so many, but I really like your reasoning much more.

[MidwestGolfBum]

I go for comfort. Usually shorts and a breathable T so I am not BO guy. Because I am in he sub 40 category I usually wear running shoes (instead of walking shoes) I laugh to myself at the guys who dress like their name is being called on the first tee.

 

For all you know they laugh at the guys who look like they got lost on the way to the gym.

The caddies are wearing running shoes and shorts for a reason.

 

there's your winner.

 

I play golf with a lot of guys who play golf in running shoes, but much like the caddies on tour, they are dressed to be on a golf course (without the bib, obviously). Play in what is comfortable on your feet so long as it is golf course appropriate.

[Rock13]

I'll be wearing adidas soft spikes. I'd normally wear tennis shoes but with rain means slippery conditions. Might look like a tool with soft spikes on but rather that then sliding all over the place. Plus they are comfortable

[North Butte]

I knew a guy once who walked in one of those charity events where people sponsor you for such-and-such dollars per mile in a 5-mile walk around downtown. He was the only one wearing golf shoes and carrying a bag of clubs. He said that's what he'd normally be doing on a Saturday so he just stuck with what he was used to.

[nikegal]

Why do people own so many pairs of golf shoes?

Because for some they're free :) Madison

[kevin2]

Back in the day before spikeless was all the RAGE, I wore my footjoys, with spikes, to the senior event at the course in Dearborn. It was wet and that place is really hilly. Helped me get around without slipping, my feet stayed dry, and they were comfy. I wore my spikeless shoes to the Masters, as they were my most comfortable walking shoes I had that I knew I would not get blisters in. Wear what you won't get blisters in, and if you walk for your golfing, that is likely your golf shoes. If you take a cart for your golf, then I'd test some shoes out on some super long walks before heading out for a 5-10 mile hike around a golf course. IT is a LOOONNNGGG day in shoes at a tournament.

 

Today, if I went to a tournament, I'd take my Keen hiking shoes, due to illness my feet can no longer take walking in my golf shoes more then 9 holes max.

[ray9898]

LOL....I have never had such an issue with such treacherous conditions in the many tournaments I have attended. Some of these guys sound like they are going mountain climbing.

[caniac6]

Absolutely! Where the patrons walk is not down the center of the fairway and the footing can be challenging. No doubt with all the rain and pine needles footing can be slippery at Augusta, been there and experienced walking down the right side of number 10, steep, slippery when wet.

 

Wear comfortable but shoes that will provide safe footing.

Walk down the left side. Hardly anyone walks there, so it never gets muddy. I have been to the Masters when it has been wet, and have seen quite a few people fall going down hills.

[WidespreadPanic]

Why do people own so many pairs of golf shoes?

Because they can??

 

I don't know, just a guess :)

 

My Best,

RP

This is the only acceptable answer. To color match? Nope.

 

Why do people own so many pairs of golf shoes?

Because for some they're free :) Madison

Well aren't you lucky.

[jll62]

Why not just wear normal shoes? You aren't playing.

 

Because normal shoes generally aren't made for the demands that golf spectating requires. Traction is important when walking up and down hills on a course, especially if it has rained or the grass is dew covered in the morning. Most normal shoes aren't waterproof, either, which is something that has come in handy at 60% of tournament rounds I've attended.

 

Wearing FJ Classics would be stupid. Wearing a comfortable pair of waterproof spikeless shoes is just smart.

[thorens]

The next frontier in spikeless golf shoes has got to be some of the newer low cut waterproof hiking shoes. You get goretex, grippy rubber lugs, lightweight, generally a very stable footbed and upper, and designed for harsh conditions. Far superior to some of the spikeless golf shoes around.

 

Exactly. I use Adidas Ax2 Gore-Tex hiking shoes for golf and IMO they are excellent! I would most definitely choose them for a day of spectating.

 

Edit: fixed a typo

[NevinW]

At the Memorial one year I saw multiple spectators slip and slide down hills in the wet grass after a thunderstorm so a golf course isn't without it's walking challenges for spectators. I was at the open at St. Andrews a few years ago and I saw that a considerable number of the spectators were wearing spiked and spikeless golf shoes. Even whole families were wearing them. I guess the Scots never got the memo that it is uncool. The truth is that outside of WRX no one cares what wear at a golf tournament, wear something that gives you traction and is comfortable.

[rockinar]

Even the caddies dont wear golf shoes. Most wear running shoes or cross trainers. And they are waking the entire course (99.98% more course than you) while carrying a staff bag, and are doing this 5 days a week. So why do you need as a spectator need golf shoes to walk on the cart path, stand in the beer line and greenside eating a Pimento sandwich?? once a year?

 

 

If you wear your golf shoes, you should bring your staff bag and clubs too. You never know. David Simms may pick you out of the crowd...

[acy274]

At the Memorial one year I saw multiple spectators slip and slide down hills in the wet grass after a thunderstorm so a golf course isn't without it's walking challenges for spectators. I was at the open at St. Andrews a few years ago and I saw that a considerable number of the spectators were wearing spiked and spikeless golf shoes. Even whole families were wearing them. I guess the Scots never got the memo that it is uncool. The truth is that outside of WRX no one cares what wear at a golf tournament, wear something that gives you traction and is comfortable.

 

Yes, this 100%. Don't make the mistake of listening to the 'don't wear golf shoes' crowd like I did at the AT&T Pebble Beach this year. I wore regular shoes the first day and busted my a** three times. That was a bigger hit to the ego than what some anonymous 380 yard drive WRX warriors might think about me. Make your decision based on weather and conditions.

[Golfjack]

But a tournament that I'm looking to play at says you can have caddies but they can't wear golf shoes. Supposedly for the greens so there are less spike marks. So caddies might want to wear spikeless golf shoes (I'm guessing for waterproof properties) but it's not an option. If I was a caddie I'd for sure choose a waterproof shoe on a wet day that's comfortable. Either that or the new TW shoes a generation or two back that are basically nike free's in golf shoe form.

 

Anyway, at a tournament probably any shoe is fine and even spikeless shoes are overkill but who cares? I got too many pairs anyway and I don't know why. Good to have another reason to wear them. I even have two pairs of white ones.

[hangubber]

not going to lie.... I laugh at people wearing golf shoes to watch. You should wear your glove too. :taunt: IMO - It would be like wearing a batting helmet to a baseball game or shoulder pads and cleats to a football game.

 

Wear comfy shoes, nobody is going to call on you to hit any shots.

How do you feel about people that go to watch a tennis match while wearing sneakers (aka tennis shoes)?

 

 

I'm more curious about what those people wear when they go to watch the Kentucky Derby...

[mackelcan]

My concern with normal shoes or running shoes is water and somewhat traction. Its hilly at augusta national and going to be wet

[DLiver]

AN now recommends that patrons wear soft spikes to the tournament.

[tnord]

i didn't wear spikes of any sort yesterday and survived.......though i could see the use for them. the guy i was walking with bit it going down the hill from 10grn to 11t.

[Muirfield Willie]

Even the caddies dont wear golf shoes. Most wear running shoes or cross trainers. And they are waking the entire course (99.98% more course than you) while carrying a staff bag, and are doing this 5 days a week. So why do you need as a spectator need golf shoes to walk on the cart path, stand in the beer line and greenside eating a Pimento sandwich?? once a year?

 

 

If you wear your golf shoes, you should bring your staff bag and clubs too. You never know. David Simms may pick you out of the crowd...

 

Can I bring my vanity handicap too?