Metal Spike Conversion

[Mox Monkey]

Hey All,

 

I got a fantastic deal on some unworn white classic footjoys at a thrift store. I am having trouble removing the metal spikes, as they have been there for some time and I don't want to damage the bottom sole. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Bella Woods]

Nice pick up - I have not seen a new pair of metal spike golf shoes in years.....

You can try to work a little oil into the spike holes and around the spikes (oil that
won't stain the leather like WD-40 - it shouldn't if the shoes are new and have a "topcoat" on the
leather), let it sit for a little bit and give the spikes some gentle taps on the spike
itself and around the sides (with say a screwdriver or something small but steel).

Then use a good quality spike tool - you may have to put a lot a pressure/effort into
though - it was never easy to get off old spikes when metal went out of favor.......

If all else fails - take them to a pro shop and let them do it (go to an old timer who
had to do it when metal spikes went out).

[okesa]

[size=5]Unless your club has a rule enforcing the use of soft-spikes I would leave them and play in them as they are,no doubt in my mind that the old spikes were much more efficient and safer than the crappy plastic things fitted now.[/size]

[size=5]Proper shoes.....FJ Classics the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned.[/size]

[birly-shirly]

Great shoes, and I'd be very happy to still be playing in metal spikes.

But if the spikes are stiff now when the shoes have never been worn, never mind trudged around in damp conditions, then I think it would be a very wise investment to get the spikes loose and at the very least give the threads a grease before they go back into active service. I'd just hate for a pair of shoes of that quality to be rendered redundant by letting the spikes rust and seize to the point where they can't be removed.

That won't be an issue in their current position - but I do remember how stiff spikes could get after a season's use. Back in the day, I used to clamp the spike key in a muckle great adjustable spanner for extra leverage and it was still a hateful job.

[Shallowface]

[quote name='okesa' timestamp='1390467502' post='8514945']
[size=5]Unless your club has a rule enforcing the use of soft-spikes I would leave them and play in them as they are,no doubt in my mind that the old spikes were much more efficient and safer than the crappy plastic things fitted now.[/size]

[size=5]Proper shoes.....FJ Classics the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned.[/size]
[/quote]

Unfortunately metal spikes are pretty much banned in the US, at least in my experience.

My first thought was would those shoes be safe to use with plastic spikes. When you see shoes with all of these turf grips on them in addition to the spikes, it was done to make the plastic spikes viable.

I hate plastic spikes. They were never about better greens, which is how they were sold. They were about the fact that a lot more of them were going to be sold because they wear out so much faster.

The other thing was they cause less wear and tear on clubhouse floors than metal. That's a result of building Taj Mahal clubhouses. Golf clubhouses should look a bit used and run down. Gives them character.

The whole thing with the greens is hilarious. When I walk on a well watered green early in the morning with two shoes resembling waffle irons, I'm gonna leave a mark. It may not be spike holes. I'd submit that what I leave is worse.

I have no doubt they hurt my game. The shoes are better now with all the turf grips, but when they first came out it was like standing in the shower with a bar of soap strapped on the bottom of each foot.

I fought it all I could. That fight's lost. Just have to do the best I can going forward.

I understand they haven't been banned in the UK. My thought on that is that the consumer there isn't as gullible as his American counterpart.

[super20dan]

just wear them and enjoy. who is going to notice at your local muni?

[stixman]

I use them in the UKs winter muddy months, it's massively safer.
As for the USA, last year's Masters I heard the Pros clattering down the paths, and they definitely weren't using soft spikes, one rule for the Tour and one for the plebs.....it's not unknown

[Gem]

The strange thing is too is that whilst metal spikes can scuff the greens they don't affect the surface as much as plastic ones do. They leave the surface slightly dimpled and even more so when clogged up. The new Adidas ones are even worse with nothing else on the soles except the spikes.