Soft Spikes too soft?

[PlaidJacket]

This morning I had an email in my inbox from a retailer advertising the newest Champ soft spikes. Which got me to thinking that I need to replace the spikes (again) in my Callaway shoes I wear most often. Here's the deal... I don't think soft spikes last very long at all. My upcoming change of spikes will be the second one in 6 months I think. My other shoes are no different. I hardly do any walking on hard surfaces such as asphalt or concrete in my golf shoes. I'm on grass 95% of the time. How do these things wear out so quickly? I typically see a box of spikes selling anywhere from $11 to $14. Over the course of a year you might spend between $22 - $28 to keep decent functional spikes in your shoes. The bottom line is; the damn things wear out too fast IMO. At least in the "old" days the metal spikes lasted longer. I also am not entirely convinced that soft spikes are more green friendly than the old metal spikes. However, I will concede that soft spike shoes are more comfortable than the old hard sole metal spike shoes. Is it possible that Soft Spikes are too soft? The faster they wear down the more often you replace them. Hmmm?

[fozcycle]

You hit the nail on the Head, Plaid.  We live in a disposable society where everything has a limited usefel life.  The faster the spikes wear out, the quicker you replace them.  At my club, I notice most of the guys wearing spikes have soft spikes that should have been replaced a year ago.  When i see then slip, i mention how important good spikes are.   By the time they are worn out, these guys usually just buy a new pair of discounted shoes.....$40.

[hckymeyer]

I've only replaced one set of spikes on a pair of shoes. Granted my season is limited due to weather, but I still play 60+ rounds a year. I do rotate shoes frequently, but I've never had an issue with not getting through a season on a set of spikes.

[Kenny B]

When I play my practice course (which most every day I am at home all year long), I wear True Linkswear spineless shoes.  They are comfortable to walk in, and the course is not much to look at and "you know, clubs, bags, shoes, gloves, shirt, pants" frankly get dirty from the dust.  When I go to a nice course then I wear my Adidas Tour 360 shoes which I have had for 5-6 years.  I replace the spikes on these about once a year, but I only play about 20 rounds a year in them.  It's costly, and replacement spikes available at most golf shops are not the same kind or quality as the originals.  I think the originals last about 2 years.  Better spikes can be ordered for about a buck for each spike.

[Undershooter]

Funny this topic pops up. I'm about to replace the spikes on my Nike TW shoes and holy hell those things are giving me a hard time.

[Mr_Theoo]

Funny this topic pops up. I'm about to replace the spikes on my Nike TW shoes and holy hell those things are giving me a hard time.

I changed mine this year and it was a pain in the ass lol

[evershady]

They wear out too quick and if they are wet you usually slide all over.

[BIG STU]

I do concur especially for us larger guys. I just started wearing real golf shoes again when my GM gave me a pair of Nike Lunerons I still had a pair of fairly new Foot Joys. I have already in the space of 4 months had to replace 2 sets in the Nike shoes. I have been pretty lucky I had a whole container left over from the golf shop after we closed that fit Foot Joys. The same ones fit the Nike shoes also. But I am down to my last change out on them.

I can remember some of the last metal spikes they had Tungsten in the center and wore for ever and ever. I think playing and practicing everyday I used only one set a year. Now a lot of folks had trouble with metal spikes seizing up and it made them difficult to change not me. I used anti sieze on the threads. Before I ever used them for the first time I pulled all the spikes and done this. I also do it with the soft spikes too

[Undershooter]

I changed mine this year and it was a pain in the ass lol

Dude I'm to the point of breaking out a drill. In all fairness I waited too long to swap them.

[Kenny B]

My wife brought her FJ shoes into the golf store to have them change the spikes for her.  They did it last time for the price of the spikes.  They guy took the shoes and threw them into the garbage can.  He said:  "That's how we change those."  Granted they were a little shabby.  So, she bought a new pair.

[silver & black]

They certainly don't last very long. I changed mine (Champ Stingers) 3 months ago. They are worn down dead flat. I'll have to change them again to get through the Fall season.

[RookieBlue7]

They design them to wear out quicker. Part of the reason I wear Champ Stinger Pros with the metal center stud

[silver & black]

I'm going to try those next time.

[NiftyNiblick]

I've always suspected that the prohibition of steel spikes due to green damage was nonsense, but I'm glad that I don't know that for sure or I'd be even more frustrated. 

 

The modern shoes make me feel like a geriatric Little Leaguer playing with rubber cleats instead of spikes. (Anybody remember being 12?) 

 

Perhaps the silver lining is that the soft spikes prevent me from over-swinging, because if I did with these things, I'd fall on my ass.

[sp0rtsfan86]

I'd say you're on to something. Spikes are to golf like ink in printers. Sure you can replace them, but it's expensive and they run out quickly. At some point it's almost easier to find a cheap pair or printer on sale and do it that way.

[AH1980MN]

Maybe a most wanted test?

[Fireinthehole]

If I kept a pair long enough to replace I would do it, but right now there are 5 pairs in my trunk and they all get rotated.

Will look into the Champs with the metal spike though