Question from a non-golfer....

Why do golfers wear spikes? I don’t get it. Where exactly are golfers worried about losing their footing as they stroll around manicured grounds and fairways? Is there some sort of ice-wall-climbing component of golf that I am unaware of? :p

to have a better stance when hitting the ball, probably. Spikes increase friction component of a body in relation to the ground.

Flat shoes slip on wet grass.

Flat shoes slip on wet grass.


Isn't that what tread is for? :shrug:

Isn't that what tread is for? :shrug:

Yes. But spikes are better.

the spikes help the golfer to grip the ground much like the studs in a football boot. Without the extra grip a golfer might inflict serious injury during a golf swing. Proff. golfers have a swing speed of over 100 miles per hour.

They also have spiked sandals.
http://www.golfshoesplus.com/images/imagecache/products/FootJoy_WGreenJoys48443_l.jpg

Isn't that what tread is for? :shrug:

Spikes keep your feet firmly planted to one spot, which is very important as your stance is key in deciding which direction the ball will travel, especially when using drivers and low numbered irons. Without spikes, even with a heavy tread, the feet WILL move, even slightly, as you gyrate the upper half of your body while following through with a swing. You would literally have no accuracy in your drive without them, especially on grass, wet or not. And considering, there is a tremendous amount of concentration with making sure your swing is technically correct, one has little capacity to concentrate on keeping their feet planted securely.

Driving ranges don't have grass, but most people still wear their spikes.

When they meet their prostitutes out on the links, it helps give them a better stance while teeing off! :D

the spikes help the golfer to grip the ground much like the studs in a football boot. Without the extra grip a golfer might inflict serious injury during a golf swing. Proff. golfers have a swing speed of over 100 miles per hour.


Spikes keep your feet firmly planted to one spot, which is very important as your stance is key in deciding which direction the ball will travel, especially when using drivers and low numbered irons. Without spikes, even with a heavy tread, the feet WILL move, even slightly, as you gyrate the upper half of your body while following through with a swing.


Hmmmm, well ..... okay. Thanks for that. I’m skeptical but I suppose these explanations make sense. I’ve always thought that there are lots of things that sports people do simply because it’s what everyone else does and not because it actually confers some sort of benefit.

For instance, why to baseballers wear belts? Surely it’s not to keep their trousers up because many modern sporting uniforms manage this without the need for a belt. So is it merely a fashion statement? A tradition? (I'm not American. :D)

Hmmmm, well ..... okay. Thanks for that. I’m skeptical but I suppose these explanations make sense.

I think that if you had a few lessons and went out on the links, you'd probably experience it yourself.


For instance, why to baseballers wear belts? Surely it’s not to keep their trousers up because many modern sporting uniforms manage this without the need for a belt.

Well, if you've ever seen someone slide headfirst into a base without a belt, you'd see their pants round their ankles.

I know. :D

Okay, thanks. That also makes sense. I seem to be embarrassing myself with my own questions so perhaps I’ll leave it there. :truce:

Okay, thanks. That also makes sense. I seem to be embarrassing myself with my own questions so perhaps I’ll leave it there. :truce:

Lol! There's certainly one drawback from playing a lot of sports. My body is broken and bruised from it over the years. Do I quit? Nah. Too much fun. Hockey is literally killing me. I'll probably wind up having to rely on supple, young nurses to look after me... wait a minute. :bugeye:

For a right handed golfer at the moment of maximum inertial exertion the right leg would slip out and damage the knee fibers.