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Welcome to another edition of Fully equipped mail bagsponsored by Cleveland/Srixon Golf, is an interactive series from GOLF.com in which we answer challenging equipment questions.
I was at a PGA Tour event recently and saw a pro wearing what appeared to be metal studs on the band. Thought metal nails were a thing of the past? Why do some professionals keep wearing them? – Lyle
Technology continues to drive the sport forward, but that doesn’t mean the old-school designs have been completely phased out. While golf courses have done away with metal pins—they tend to do a number on the greens—tour pros live by a different set of rules and are generally allowed to wear metallics during a tournament, if they choose.
Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas are two names that still prefer the metallic option to the soft rivets found on most shoes in retail. The reasons vary depending on the player, but the general consensus is that metal pins add less stability to the body during the swing, while also reducing the possibility of slipping the foot.
I’ll be the first to tell you that soft spikes provide plenty of traction and nearly 80 percent of the field uses them during a given Tour event, so don’t think for one second that you’re wearing a lower spike. There is a reason why metal is not present in the equipment space.
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But if you play at the higher level of professional golf and have the ability to choose between metal putts and soft putts, you will choose something that will allow you to focus on your shot and not worry about your feet. It is just one of the many advantages of being a professional golfer.
And if you were wondering if there was a popular metal hike option in the Tour, it most likely is Champ Pro Stinger. Dubbed the “Hybrid” offering, it features a metal tip surrounded by a polymer outer layer (similar to what’s on the Stinger’s soft stud) that allows it to hug the ground on impact. If you were to look at the 15-20 percent who wear metal studs during a pro tournament, they probably use a Pro Stinger spike.
Until the younger generation gets rid of metal nails completely, the “crushing” of metal-bound concrete will continue for the foreseeable future. Course supervisors don’t like the sound, but there’s no doubt that it’s synonymous with professional golf practice. Just don’t expect an increase in volume in the coming years.
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