Poulter: raging against spikes
Watching the coverage from Doral a couple of weeks ago, I was struck by just how many spike marks were visible on the putting surfaces. With today’s soft spikes subject to all sorts of biomechanical tests and analyses before they ever make it to market, surely a continued attachment to the humble metal spike in this day and age can be chalked up to little more than stubbornness (I mean, if you really want to keep tradition alive, how about speeding up a little?) or Luddite suspicion.
Yesterday, as Bay Hill’s new greens began to exhibit signs of accelerated wear, Ian Poulter found himself wondering the same thing. He took to Twitter to vent his frustration. As usual, a laissez-faire attitude to grammar and punctuation is required:
“The greens got crusty out there this afternoon baked in the heat & wind & plenty of spike marks. why do people still use spikes #noneed… There is only probably 10-15 guys that wear spikes still, you could probably guess most of them its not hard to work out… i mean spikes yes the metal ones, spikes there is no spike on a soft spike. sorry but really….”
Somewhat predictably, his posts were like blood in the water to a certain Rory McIlroy:
“I wear spikes… Problem!?!? If you got your swing speed over 100mph, you might need spikes too….
”
Poulter was unimpressed:
“yes problem. there is no need for spikes & if you say it helps thats bullshit, soft spikes give just as much traction. xxxx”
The mystical powers of the internets being what they are, interest in the debate began to spread far and wide, even reaching the site of the LPGA’s KIA Classic, where Christina Kim was relaxing after carding a very respectable 71:
“I use metal spikes and do my best to tap down what I can, as well as walk properly. No need? Really? WOW… it would be stupid to ban spikes. That’s just ridiculous… nonsense. I’ve slipped so many times using soft spikes. No traction at all in my opinion. But that’s just me”
When, owing to a chance alignment of fragile putting surfaces with tough conditions, the impact of metal spikes is really underlined, the prospect of a ban doesn’t seem quite so ridiculous. The sheer prevalence of spike marks isn’t just an aesthetic issue, it’s one that has a direct impact on scores, a fact that Tiger Woods unwittingly made clear to reporters after his round:
“I played [Bay Hill] obviously this windy, but with the greens being new, it was certainly tough, and they got a little a bit chewed up in the afternoon here. Gary and Dustin hit some beautiful putts that were bouncing off-line. It was a tough day.”
With greens faster and putts becoming ever more susceptible to the slightest interference, surely it’s time to re-evaluate the place of metal spikes in the game, particularly with so many alternatives readily available?
Conor
In what way are putts ever more susceptible to the slightest interference?
Christina says she “does her best to walk properly” so she realizes the damage they do, yet still does it. I compare it to smoking – if you smoke you don’t think it is as off putting as it really is until you are a non-smoker. And as Conor said, there are so many alternatives.
A rarity in this world – Poulter may just be right!
I thought Tiger was always a holdout for metal spikes too… has he changed his stripes (pun intended)?
@Ronan:
Faster greens= less grass, by and large. Spike marks stand out more.
I guess it depends on whether or not metal spikes do still provide better traction, esp from the rough (or pine needles). Rory and Christina still seem to claim that they do, Poulter obviously disagrees.
I spoke to Tiger a little while ago and gave him a fist and chest bump. We jumped up in the air and shouted at the top of our lungs…”Spikes Suck”. Then I woke up.
Every time we get an ice storm I wish I would have kept a pair of metal spikes.
Choosing metal spikes or soft spikes is a personal choice, not for Ian Poulter to decide. I’ve personally used them for years and have never had any traction issues. It’s probably more psychological more than anything else thinking that metal spikes give you better grip. Ian Poulter should concentrate on playing golf and hitting good putts rather than the lamenting the equipment people use as if he’s some authority!
Miles, it is costing him money and affecting his and other’s performance. Please see the comments comparing it to smoking. That is a good analogy. He is a member which makes him eligible to complain, no need to be an authority. Same way at our jobs. I don’t have to be the CEO to complain about a problem.
I’m no Rory McIlroy, but I swing over 100 mph, and have used soft spikes for years with no problem at all. Some of the first generation of soft spikes were kinda crappy, but the modern soft spike provides more than enough traction. Wearing soft spikes does not prevent you from damaging a green, it can still be done, and you see it quite frequently from people that twist their feet on the green. That said, if I were a pro, and had tens/hundreds of thousands of dollars riding on one putt, I’d be complaining about people using metal spikes too. You want every advantage that is legally available to you.
Certain swing types will cause more slippage depending on how quiet the lower body is.
This is really a non-issue for most amateurs though because METAL SPIKES ARE ALREADY BANNED ON MOST COURSES
Poulter should just play golf and deal with the conditions. Everyone knows that when you play in the afternoon the greens are going to be a little worse than in the morning rounds. Deal with it.
I think Tiger and Phil still wears metal spikes, so I dont think the Tour will change this because Poulter had a few spike marks in his line.
Conor, I’m not sure what scientific studies you are reading to make the claim, “With today’s soft spikes subject to all sorts of biomechanical tests and analyses…” but the studies that I have researched say different.
A study done by Worsfold et. al., has shown that low handicap golfers are able to generate more torque in the rear foot when swinging a driver with metal spikes.
Here is what they said:
“The metal 7-spike and alternative 7-
spike shoe in this investigation provided good traction,
and slip did not occur. However this research has shown
that, at the back foot the torque generation was greater in
the metal spike shoe, and this was particularly of value to
low handicap players who had greater torque generation
demands”
http://www.jssm.org/vol7/n3/14/v7n3-14pdf.pdf
@cappy-jack: intriguing…
It was reported today that Phil no longer wears metal spikes, so I guess he and Vijay won’t nearly come to blows at any future Masters.
Connor,,,, GREAT PIECE, thanks.
I know I slammed you a little on the Finchem interview…
I did follow the link as you suggested, and there was some intesting stuff,,, He talks of spitting, (LOL) and the PGA’s stance on it. He also makes mention of world (combined) tour……..
Tim
Solution: Just change the rule and alow players to tap down spike marks.
I think players should be allowed to play with or without spikes. So think the spikes are safer to prevent injuries. so just let the guys tap the marks and quit whining
The problem is actually with the stupid rules. Change the rules to allow players to repair spike marks. It is as simple as that.
Why change a rule of golf? How about the Tour make & enforce it’s own rule prohibiting nails? I’m surprised the players haven’t revolted about this already.
The players wear spikes for performance and safety. Not all need them, but apparently so do.
You can repair pitch marks so why not change the rules so a player is allowed to repair spike marks. Simple
None of these courses would allow any of us (amateurs) to play with metal spikes why should the pros get to. And it obviously affects their games.