Golf

[lefty]

dunlop volleys are even better in the wet!

 

[Disco08]

Yeah my bad on the out dated articles. I found them on the USGA site and just assumed they'd only put up stuff with some relevance so didn't bother to check the dates.

But you have seen a green after a days play before the introduction of softspikes right? Are you going to argue that there's not much difference in the quality of a putting surface after metal spikes have been used as opposed to softspikes?

As for the majority of US PGA Tour guys using soft spikes, what do you expect ? These guys are paid to play and use the equipment that these manufacturers put out. I wouldn’t expect anything else. They’ve obviously decided that the decrease in performance relevant to the angst it might cause with their sponsor if they decided not to wear soft spikes isnt worth the hassle to them. But otherwise, I’ll guarantee you that none of those soft spike wearers would argue that metal spikes don’t offer at least a bit better traction.

The players are contracted to wear a particular shoe, not a particular spike. I've never seen a pro wearing a shirt or cap with a black widow logo.

As a USGA member who receives their regular journals, I’ve read numerous articles on tests and evaluations that the USGA carries out on turf management (usually with partnering Universities) and there is an abundance of conflicting positions on the supposed benefits of soft spikes.

Not that I don't believe you but there's not a scrap of data that I can find on the USGA site or anywhere else on the interweb that does anything but support the use of softspikes and the plethora of benefits they provide over metal spikes.

 

[Michael]

Soft spikes are much better in the bar. Unfortunately many clubs wont let you drink in Dunlop Volleys. Something about the canvas material, spilt beer and tinia

 

[lefty]

well that's just a joke man! ???

 

[Tigers of Old]

Certainly the most duarble golf shoes I’ve ever had were a pair of white Footjoys during the 90’s. 100% leather with leather sole. Cost a lot at the time, but I was playing 2-4 times a week and going to the range on other days yet they lasted 6-7 years. Great shoe. Not as comfortable as the newer ones nowadays, but a lot stronger.

Here’s another tip. Most golfers drag their rear foot a bit when hitting a shot. Over time, the sole starts to separate from the upper at the toes. A good shoe will 1) be built to resist this and 2) even if it does start to separate over time, the construction is such that you can stich the sole back down with tough cat gut. These shoes will last for years.

(Soft spikes: biggest marketing ploy/rip off ever.)

Thanks again Ripcord.
After much deliberation I'm off to pick up the Dunlop Volleys.

Seriously Corn Chips has given me the tip on a nice pair of Footjoys so that's my choice at the shop this arvo.
What's the best way to look after them by the way? (cleaning etc.)

 

[Michael]

It annoys me that lots of these clubs cater for the older member with tinia and not young blokes with healthy feet.

 

[lefty]

i bet if the downpipe on the club rooms was blocked and it was pissing rain, they'd want someone on that roof wearing dunlop volleys and not some namby pamby spikes!

 

[Redford]

Yeah my bad on the out dated articles. I found them on the USGA site and just assumed they'd only put up stuff with some relevance so didn't bother to check the dates.

But you have seen a green after a days play before the introduction of softspikes right? Are you going to argue that there's not much difference in the quality of a putting surface after metal spikes have been used as opposed to softspikes?

As for the majority of US PGA Tour guys using soft spikes, what do you expect ? These guys are paid to play and use the equipment that these manufacturers put out. I wouldn’t expect anything else. They’ve obviously decided that the decrease in performance relevant to the angst it might cause with their sponsor if they decided not to wear soft spikes isnt worth the hassle to them. But otherwise, I’ll guarantee you that none of those soft spike wearers would argue that metal spikes don’t offer at least a bit better traction.

The players are contracted to wear a particular shoe, not a particular spike. I've never seen a pro wearing a shirt or cap with a black widow logo.

As a USGA member who receives their regular journals, I’ve read numerous articles on tests and evaluations that the USGA carries out on turf management (usually with partnering Universities) and there is an abundance of conflicting positions on the supposed benefits of soft spikes.

Not that I don't believe you but there's not a scrap of data that I can find on the USGA site or anywhere else on the interweb that does anything but support the use of softspikes and the plethora of benefits they provide over metal spikes.

As I say, maybe at your place the greens are such that they benefit from softspikes, but at the 2 home courses I've had over the last 30 years I've seen little if no improvement. In fact, I could say that where one of them was concerned, a competing club nearby (a club which has held Australian Opens, Australian Amateur Champs etc.) banned soft spikes and their greens were always in better nick than ours.

Your comment about being contracted to wear a particular shoe, not a particular spike is not quite right. A lot of soft spike shoes do not provide the option of using screw in metal spikes. They usually come with their own "proprietry" soft spike which forces you to use them. For example, on a lot of Nike shoes have that infernal Q-Lok system that facilitates the use of soft spikes only. Again, further evidence supporting the claim that soft spikes are as much a manufactured requirement by the equipment companies that force you to spend more money, as they are any substantial benefit.

Geez Duckman, you're Googling skills cant be too good. Check this article out. It was a test conducted by Clemson University in 1998 de-bunking the soft spike myth. As I'm sure you're aware, Clemson has one of the biggest collegiate golf programs in the US.

http://clemsonews.clemson.edu/WWW_releases/1998/October1998/Turf_Grass.html

 

[Redford]

What's the best way to look after them by the way? (cleaning etc.)

Simple. Get your wife to clean them.

 

[Michael]

What's the best way to look after them by the way? (cleaning etc.)

Simple. Get your wife to clean them.

Dont all clubs have a bloke that looks after them for you?

 

[Redford]

What's the best way to look after them by the way? (cleaning etc.)

Simple. Get your wife to clean them.

Dont all clubs have a bloke that looks after them for you?

Wouldnt you rather a specialist cleaner (i.e. your wife) do the job ? Besides, you dont have to tip her.

 

[Michael]

What's the best way to look after them by the way? (cleaning etc.)

Simple. Get your wife to clean them.

Dont all clubs have a bloke that looks after them for you?

Wouldnt you rather a specialist cleaner (i.e. your wife) do the job ? Besides, you dont have to tip her.

Big downside to that one Red. If the missus cleans them, then she knows when they've been worn. Need two pairs, then she'd only know half the time

 

[lefty]

What's the best way to look after them by the way? (cleaning etc.)

Simple. Get your wife to clean them.

Dont all clubs have a bloke that looks after them for you?

Wouldnt you rather a specialist cleaner (i.e. your wife) do the job ? Besides, you dont have to tip her.

all u have to do with the volleys is to chuck em in the washing machine. job done!

 

[Disco08]

As I say, maybe at your place the greens are such that they benefit from softspikes, but at the 2 home courses I've had over the last 30 years I've seen little if no improvement. In fact, I could say that where one of them was concerned, a competing club nearby (a club which has held Australian Opens, Australian Amateur Champs etc.) banned soft spikes and their greens were always in better nick than ours.

Actually, most of my experience with metal spikes came from years of playing amateur events (Aussie Amateurs, State Amateurs etc) and having to putt over minefields any time you got a mid to late tee time. Nowadays, I can go for a casual hit after 250 players have gone ahead of me and not have any problems with spikemarks at all.

Which course has banned soft spikes? I've never heard of a course doing that?

Your comment about being contracted to wear a particular shoe, not a particular spike is not quite right. A lot of soft spike shoes do not provide the option of using screw in metal spikes. They usually come with their own "proprietry" soft spike which forces you to use them. For example, on a lot of Nike shoes have that infernal Q-Lok system that facilitates the use of soft spikes only. Again, further evidence supporting the claim that soft spikes are as much a manufactured requirement by the equipment companies that force you to spend more money, as they are any substantial benefit.

Of course, that's true of all shoes these days. It's true of the ones Tiger and Phil and the other not so notable 25% of metal spike wearers use. The point is if a PGA tour pro wants to wear metal spikes he's going to wear them no matter who his sponsor is.

That article's not bad. It is however one horticulture student's opinion after a 5 month study which was only concerned with the ongoing effects on greens. IMO, the immediate effect on greens is equally important to the long term effects when you're looking at the well being of the businesses as a whole.

 

[Redford]

As I say, maybe at your place the greens are such that they benefit from softspikes, but at the 2 home courses I've had over the last 30 years I've seen little if no improvement. In fact, I could say that where one of them was concerned, a competing club nearby (a club which has held Australian Opens, Australian Amateur Champs etc.) banned soft spikes and their greens were always in better nick than ours.

Actually, most of my experience with metal spikes came from years of playing amateur events (Aussie Amateurs, State Amateurs etc) and having to putt over minefields any time you got a mid to late tee time. Nowadays, I can go for a casual hit after 250 players have gone ahead of me and not have any problems with spikemarks at all.

Which course has banned soft spikes? I've never heard of a course doing that?

Your comment about being contracted to wear a particular shoe, not a particular spike is not quite right. A lot of soft spike shoes do not provide the option of using screw in metal spikes. They usually come with their own "proprietry" soft spike which forces you to use them. For example, on a lot of Nike shoes have that infernal Q-Lok system that facilitates the use of soft spikes only. Again, further evidence supporting the claim that soft spikes are as much a manufactured requirement by the equipment companies that force you to spend more money, as they are any substantial benefit.

Of course, that's true of all shoes these days. It's true of the ones Tiger and Phil and the other not so notable 25% of metal spike wearers use. The point is if a PGA tour pro wants to wear metal spikes he's going to wear them no matter who his sponsor is.

That article's not bad. It is however one horticulture student's opinion after a 5 month study which was only concerned with the ongoing effects on greens. IMO, the immediate effect on greens is equally important to the long term effects when you're looking at the well being of the businesses as a whole.

I've done the same Duckman. Played Aussie Amateurs, State Champs and a few professional events as well. Again, whenever there's been a problem with spike marks its been when the greens themselves are susceptible. I have seen little/no improvement to greens in general through the use of soft spikes.

Royal Hobart Golf Club (you may have played there...great course) banned them about 7 or 8 years ago. As I said earlier, I'm sure one of the big Melbourne metro clubs has also banned them.

 

[Tigers of Old]

What's the best way to look after them by the way? (cleaning etc.)

Simple. Get your wife to clean them.

Or my maid. ;D

Aah the perks of living in Thailand... 8)

 

[lefty]

get yr hands off it boys, and get some dunlop volleys.

spikes phmmph

 

[Disco08]

k, well we've have to agree to disagree on the greens. Agree with you about RH, beautiful course. They must have changed their minds of their spike policy though because when I played there a couple of years ago they were a soft spike only course. Many of the most well known Melbourne courses (RM, Metro, Huntingdale) were reciprocal with Royal Canberra when I was running their golf ops and I can tell you that not only all of them, but all of RCGC's reciprocal clubs in general were soft spike only.

 

[Redford]

k, well we've have to agree to disagree on the greens. Agree with you about RH, beautiful course. They must have changed their minds of their spike policy though because when I played there a couple of years ago they were a soft spike only course. Many of the most well known Melbourne courses (RM, Metro, Huntingdale) were reciprocal with Royal Canberra when I was running their golf ops and I can tell you that not only all of them, but all of RCGC's reciprocal clubs in general were soft spike only.

That's exactly right. Originally, RHGC went to a soft spikes only policy. Then, after a few years of it, they actually reverted 180 degrees and banned them. Their view was that soft spikes kept creating indentations and subsequent un-evenness on the greens...and as you would know, their greens are absolutely superb.

Knowing RHGC, they've probably gone back to soft spikes by now.....

 

[lefty]

and if yer dog chews yr volleys to bits, u can go down to woolies and buy another pair for less than twenty bucks.

now if this occurred with yr spikes, not only would they cost mega bucks to replace, but yer dog would suffer a perforated bowel.

the dunlop volley, on the other hand, would eventually pass through.