HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2000-04-26, Page 1414 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, April 26, 2000
Sports
Metal spikes forbidden
on most golf courses
If you want AO turn a few
heads at your golf club these
days. you don't have to wear
"Rodney Dangerfield" golf
pants. An you have to do is
show up with metal spikes in
your golf shoes.
There was a time when the
clatter and click of metal
spikes on concrete and
• pavement was an indication
that golfers were in the area;
These days it's the sound of
silence created by the new
soft spike industry that has
golf course operators happier
than ever. More and more
golf facilities are becoming
"soft spikes only" but like
'anything else in golf there is
more to.it than just a new
regulation. •
I remember hack in the .70s
when the spikeless golf shoe
was going to take the golf
industry by storm. Several of
the big name shoe companies
got on the band wagon and
golf shops around the woild
stocked up on the latest and
greatest. golf shoes. The
spikeless shoe was. going to.
• revolutionize the golf shoe
business.
People could swear the shoe.
to and from the course. The
shoe was quiet and light
weight,. Of course I had to
have a pair and when I think
of these shoes I think of •
Bobby Clampett .who, at the
peak of his career. endorsed
the. spikeless shoe on
' television and in magazines.
They were a flit for about
two years. They were never
used by more than a -handful
of the professionals on tour
and I think that this was
significant. in the overall
acceptance of the shoc.
Eventually they were
discontinued and .golfers.—
'went
golfers''went back to the. traditional
metal spikes. '
About three years ago the
concept -re-remerged only "•
this time with a twist -
•literaily., Soft spikes .were
introduced and 'before we
knew what hit .us golf'
courses were making them
mandatory and—the—Soft
spikes jndustry
booming:.
The spikes vary -a bit in
colour. design and even
material. but, the. major
difference from the old shoes
is that` these spikes arc
screwed into conventional
golf shoes. There are many
companies making thesppikes
and they can easily be added,
to your old shoes tohring
you • up to date for :a
reasonable fee and of course
the 'shoe companies weren't
long. in adding the soft-
. spikes; option to • their
inventory.
The ad%antages are. many.
Primarily it's.thc greens that
benefit Most from this
innovation in shoe
technology. The soft spikes
are much easier on the
greens. The metal spikes.'
were notorious. for leaving
tufts of grass stoking up
wherever golfers trod. Many
a score •.was affected-. by
golfers who scuffed along.
dragging their feet, leaving
behind spike marks all the•
way to the hole. You see. the
wa s
rTartan chameleon
rules of golf prohibit
tramping down spike marks
until everyone on the green
has putted out. A breach of
this rule means a two-stroke
penalty.
The spike mark issue has
long been a bone of
contention in golfing circles
and perhaps this is the reason
that so many golfers were
willing to accept the new soft
spikes. Golfers still have to
pick up their feet and not
scuff along but for the most
part the new spikes have
made a great difference to
.putting conditions on the
golf course.
Away from the greens the
other advantages add up too.
Golf is quiet now. Patios and
cart paths don't echo with
the click clack of metal
spikes anymore. When Jack
Nicklaus built his course in
Dublin. Ohio he installed
rubberized cart paths just to
keep things quiet and
peaceful. If he had only
known. -
Inside the clubhouse and
on the decks at courses all
over, carpeting and staircases
are lasting longerwithout the
chewingeffect of metal
spikes: The front panels of
golf carts, the back bumpers
of cars. even benches, and
'lawn furniture no longer.
have tiny holes punched into
them by golfers resting their
feet or tying their shoes.
The shoes are lighter and
easier on the feet, but there
are some disadvantages too.
The spikes wear down
considerably faster than the
metal version. Golfers must
check their spikes and
replace them more frequently
to maintain traction on and
off'the course. Wet days,
severe hills, and in some
cases smooth floors such as
linoleum or tile can pose a
threat if golfers aren't
careful.
One of the soft spikes reps
who works on the LPGA
tour mentioned to me that he
has to constantly remind the
professional players to
replace their spikes on a
regular basis. These ladies
arewearing their golf shoes
everyday and he says it's
remarkable how many
players fail to maintain this
important piece of
equipment.
Last month white at the
TPC I did notice that there
still were a significant
number of PGA players
wearing the traditional metal
spikes. Many feel that it
gives them more stability
during their swing. They
have a choice of spikes to
wear whereas the average V4
player must comply with the
golf course's regulations -
and the trend is definitely to
soft spikes only.
Two years ago I was
fortunate to play a
complimentary round of golf
at a rather prestigious course
in Ohio. Unfortunately my
shoes had metal spikes and
to make matters worse they
were permanent and could
not be replaced. The result. a
nice new pair of golf shoes
quickly cancelling out the.
"free" round of golf.
If it's been awhile since
you played and you have an
old pair of shoes stashed in
the garage, you may want to
check with the golf•course
before you heackkr the tee.
Generally sping the
spikes can be replaced in
about ten minutes at a
reasonable price. Chances
are you'll love, them and
you'll really appreciate the
condition of the greens on
really busy days.
Local news: Men's night
winners were: Ken Doig Jr.
closest to the hole on #15
and Joe Dick straightest
drive on #11. Skins were
won by: Chris Marion (2), Al
Nigh and Graham Nesbitt.
The Ladies Opening is
tomorrow evening; a 5 p.m.
scramble followed by a
potluck dinner. On May 5 at
1 p.m. there will be a junior
golf clinic to coincide with
'the PA day. Call the proshop
for details.
Game On - SOS Scramble
set for. Saturday, May 13 at
3:30. We have over 50
people signed up including
some businesses who are
entering teams. Why not get
a group from your business
and join in the fun for this
great cause?
ALZHEIMER DISEASE
• Are you caring for a person with Alzheimer Disease?
• Is a member of your family diagnosed with Alzheimer
Disease or another dementia?
■ Are you a friend to someone living with this disease?
Please call to pre -register at
482-1482 or 1-800-561-5012
Seaforth
Golf and Country.
Club
RR 4, Seaforth 522-0985
MAY
we introduce you to
GOLF
5 WEEK LESSON PLAN
beginning Monday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m.
Only $75.00 and includes Dan Halldorson's Keys to Effortless Golf
A FItEE 18 HOLE GREENS FEE!
LEAGUES Monday morning Seniors 8:30 Senior Invitational May 24
Tuesday evening Men's•Night 4 pm Spring Scramble May 6 0 noon
Thursday evening Ladies' Night 4 pm SOS Family Fun May 13 @ 3:30
Couple's Night Scramble May 19th, 6 pm
THANK YOU TO OUR APRIL SPONSOR: CARDNO'S MEN'S WEAR
SHOE SALE! OFT READY TO WALK TN: COURSE -
STONIc MIZUNO, i ii407J01' SHOES ON SALE NOM?
WAIII
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Regular Ultra or Regular Original
2.2-2.3 kg. (23-25 Uses)
TIDE
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900 g. OR 680 ml. Selected Varities
PRIMO
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8
350 - 400 g. Selected Varieties
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COOKIES
919
Product of Ontario Canada #1
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SCHWEPPES SOFT DRINKS
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398 ml. Selected Varieties
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,,5•
4 kg. box price $24.99
Filet Removed Frozen
Seasoned Boneless Skinned
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229
Ib.
Regular 500 g.
MAPLE LEAF
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1
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375 ml. Smart Choice
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RELISH
99
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