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Golf Shoes Help Keep Balance When Swinging
By Angus MacLeod

Not everyone who goes golfing wears golf shoes, but more golfers rely on them to keep their feet from slipping than trust their footing to sneakers. Since restrictions on steel spikes a few years ago required the change to soft spikes, some have decided they get as much traction with their tennis shoes and do not bother with the expense of golf shoes.

Complaints from golf courses on how steel spikes inserted into golf shoes were ripping the grass on golf courses, specifically expensive putting greens, prompted many courses to ban their use. When a person walked across the green wearing steel spikes, dragging their feet as they walked, it would destroy the putting surface. Repairing this damage took time and was expensive.

Today, most golf courses ban steel spike golf shoes and the industry has responded with various shapes and sizes of soft spikes for the shoes. Depending on the condition of the course, soft spikes may be nothing more than thin circles of vinyl. When the weather is wetter or the grass is longer, players may choose a longer soft spike for their golf shoes. They can be changed easily and quickly to make the shoes ready for use as conditions change.

Keep Spikes Clean To Prevent Falls

During the course of walking on a golf course, the spikes on your golf shoes can become filled with grass, especially if the course was recently mowed. When the spikes are filled with grass clippings it is like walking on ice and when a person swings the club, their feet can slip out from under them, prompting a fall. It never hurts to occasionally check the spikes on your golf shoes to insure they are clear of grass.

Another purpose of golf shoes is to help keep your feet dry, as many of them are waterproof. Most are water resistant and with some special sealers can be made to keep the water out, keeping your feet dry while playing. They should also be comfortable and fit properly as you will be wearing them every time you venture out onto the golf course.

Recently, the design of golf shoes has begun to show some semblance of fashion and not simply functionality. Depending on your budget, there are styles of golf shoes that resemble regular shoes, athletic shoes and even tennis shoes. Most have pre-set holes in which to screw spikes while others have soft grips molded into the sole of the shoes.

Author Details:
Angus MacLeod, copywriter for various websites including, Golf in Scotland and The A to Z of with his main interests being golf and fishing, especially when in Scotland.

Article Source: Golf Articles

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