SPIKED GOLF SHOES

No! Unlike metal spikes, spiked golf shoes won’t create holes in the ground and tear up the grass.

Spiked golf shoes have soft spikes or plastic cleats on the bottom that help you keep your feet planted during your swing, without damaging the course. They can be a godsend when playing in wet conditions, preventing your feet from slipping and sliding as you make your way across the links and swing your club.

Eager to reduce or eliminate damage to the greens, clubhouse, wooden bridges, pathways, and floors of golf buggies, many golf courses no longer allow metal spikes to be worn (particularly in times of frost).

Anecdotally, 20-25% of PGA tour players wear spiked golf shoes – including the increasingly rare metal spikes.

Most courses are soft-spike facilities and request that all golfers wear spikeless or soft-spike golf shoes, as opposed to metal spikes. However, the venues hosting PGA tour events and major championships make an exception for the best players in the world, including the likes of Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas, and Bryson DeChambeau.

Tiger Woods has worn metal spikes for the majority of his golfing career. In 2018, he briefly tried a soft-spike version to combat sore ankles before resorting back to a hybrid version of the metal spiked golf shoes.

Like most things, spiked golf shoes won’t last forever and you’ll eventually need to replace them. How soon that may be will depend on:

• How often they are worn. The more rounds you play, the quicker you’ll need to replace your golf shoes. Every time you walk from your car to the clubhouse on the concrete, you’ll wear out your soft spikes. And when these become damaged or worn, they are less effective and could potentially damage the course.
• The quality of the shoe. Unfortunately, not all men’s spiked golf shoes are created equal. The more expensive shoes tend to be more waterproof, comfortable, stylish, and longer-lasting than cheaper options.
• The conditions in which you play. Golfers who play in warm, dry conditions are bound to get more wear out of their spiked shoes, as opposed to those who endure the harsh winter elements.  
• Whether you walk the course or use a buggy. The average golfer walks between 4 and 6 miles in a standard round of golf, up and downhill. Compare this to a golfer that rides in a golf cart, and it’s clear to see why those who walk the course need to replace their spiked golf shoes much more frequently.
• How well you care for them in between rounds. If you’re someone who tosses your spiked golf shoes into the boot of your car until your next round, not bothering to clean them and store them correctly, you’ll end up needing a new pair sooner. Taking the time to clean and dry them will not only prevent the build-up of dirt and mud but will also prolong their lifespan.

If your footwear has seen better days, be sure to check out our extensive collection of men’s spiked golf shoes here at Clarkes’ Golf Centre.

Call us biased – but here at Clarkes Golf Centre, we believe spiked golf shoes are absolutely worth it, especially if you’re playing in soft, rainy conditions.

Whilst our collection of men’s spiked golf shoes may cost you more than a regular pair of sneakers or running trainers, their cleated soles provide you with more grip on the course. Not only does this afford you extra stability and balance during your swing, but it also helps you to perform better – shaving strokes off your scores.

When standing over the ball, you needn’t worry about losing your footing. Instead, you can rotate harder and swing with confidence.

Spiked golf shoes are reserved for the course only – unlike spikeless shoes that can be worn virtually anywhere. This means they’ll last longer, allowing you to save money.