Metal Spikes vs. Soft Spikes

Good question, Chris. You see fewer and fewer players wearing metal but there are certinaly still a few holdouts.

Interesting note from our time at Deutsche Bank...Jerry Kelly told us he wore metal spikes until he switched to SYNR-G earlier this year. He said now he gets the stability of metal with the comfort of soft spikes.

Chris, unfortunately it is at the Tour level. 

I don't know why other than they professionals and courses allow it for that one "special" week the Tour is in town.

I don't know of any courses that allow metal spikes anywhere that I play even if they are hosting any tournaments...soft spikes are the only type allowed.

Chris Garrett

Good question, Chris. You see fewer and fewer players wearing metal but there are certinaly still a few holdouts.

Interesting note from our time at Deutsche Bank...Jerry Kelly told us he wore metal spikes until he switched to SYNR-G earlier this year. He said now he gets the stability of metal with the comfort of soft spikes.

That is very interesting comment....I would have not expected that especially from someone that was a metal spike holdout!

Chris, what do you consider the key reasons why Jerry would comment this way about the SYNR-G ?  I thought this was more a comfort shoe and not a performance shoe like the Icon...??

Could you give me some more detail behind the SYNR-G technically speaking??

Thanks, this is why I love this forum!

Chris Garrett

Good question, Chris. You see fewer and fewer players wearing metal but there are certinaly still a few holdouts.

Interesting note from our time at Deutsche Bank...Jerry Kelly told us he wore metal spikes until he switched to SYNR-G earlier this year. He said now he gets the stability of metal with the comfort of soft spikes.

I have never worn metal spikes, are they really usually that much more stable?

As far as I know there are still a few metal spike holdouts on Tour. I think I have seen Mickelson wear both this year and I know Tiger prefers metal.

It is interesting that there appear to be no LPGA players using metal and I don't think I have seen anyone on the Champions Tour wearing metal either. I think that says something for the comfort, or lack of comfort of metal spikes.

Chris Garrett

Good question, Chris. You see fewer and fewer players wearing metal but there are certinaly still a few holdouts.

Interesting note from our time at Deutsche Bank...Jerry Kelly told us he wore metal spikes until he switched to SYNR-G earlier this year. He said now he gets the stability of metal with the comfort of soft spikes.

Chris would you mind expounding a little on the stability virtues of SYNR-G.

Sure, happy to provide more detail on SYNR-G, which is not only our most stable golf shoe ever, but the most stable golf shoe on the market. The name alludes to the perfect blend of comfort and stability but since you asked about stability, let's focus on that. FYI...for more on SYNR-G, including testimonials from some of the pros, visit www.footjoy.com/synrg.

The shoe was built for high swing speed players who demand stability throughout the golf swing. Turn the shoe over and you immediately notice some of the most important features that keep you locked in place. SYNR-G is the first golf shoe to incorporate FootJoy's new G-Force outsole which was developed over the course of two years and is specifically designed and developed for golfers seeking maximum support and a solid foundation. Another unique feature of the shoe is the Tri-lateral Stability Frame which, when combined with a perforated alloy mid-foot support bridge, cradles the foot and provides a phenomenal stable hitting platform. The Tri-lateral stability frame is noticeable by the three, very unique, "guitar pics" that rise up along the outside of the shoe, providing a phenomenal platform from which to launch!

Aditional stability features have been implemented inside the shoe. Memory foam, the same material used in some mattresses, has been strategically placed around the entire collar and under the tongue which provides a "mold-to-your-foot" custom fit while simultaneously delivering dramatically improved support and motion control.  When you first put the shoe on, it may feel a little snug due to the memory foam, but after a few seconds, the foam molds to your foot and you have a perfectly fitting, very stable golf shoe. It's incredible. There's also a HeelLoc zone, located on the heel area of the PU Fit-bed™ which reduces friction and keeps the foot securely positioned throughout the golf swing. 

After extensive testing, SYNR•G shoes have proven to increase a player’s overall base stability- benefiting golfers at every level.

Personally, I've been wearing this shoe all season and it is phenomenal! You truly get a custom fit, it's very comfortable and very stable.

Hope this helps!

Chris Garrett

Sure, happy to provide more detail on SYNR-G, which is not only our most stable golf shoe ever, but the most stable golf shoe on the market. The name alludes to the perfect blend of comfort and stability but since you asked about stability, let's focus on that. FYI...for more on SYNR-G, including testimonials from some of the pros, visit www.footjoy.com/synrg.

The shoe was built for high swing speed players who demand stability throughout the golf swing. Turn the shoe over and you immediately notice some of the most important features that keep you locked in place. SYNR-G is the first golf shoe to incorporate FootJoy's new G-Force outsole which was developed over the course of two years and is specifically designed and developed for golfers seeking maximum support and a solid foundation. Another unique feature of the shoe is the Tri-lateral Stability Frame which, when combined with a perforated alloy mid-foot support bridge, cradles the foot and provides a phenomenal stable hitting platform. The Tri-lateral stability frame is noticeable by the three, very unique, "guitar pics" that rise up along the outside of the shoe, providing a phenomenal platform from which to launch!

Aditional stability features have been implemented inside the shoe. Memory foam, the same material used in some mattresses, has been strategically placed around the entire collar and under the tongue which provides a "mold-to-your-foot" custom fit while simultaneously delivering dramatically improved support and motion control.  When you first put the shoe on, it may feel a little snug due to the memory foam, but after a few seconds, the foam molds to your foot and you have a perfectly fitting, very stable golf shoe. It's incredible. There's also a HeelLoc zone, located on the heel area of the PU Fit-bed™ which reduces friction and keeps the foot securely positioned throughout the golf swing. 

After extensive testing, SYNR•G shoes have proven to increase a player’s overall base stability- benefiting golfers at every level.

Personally, I've been wearing this shoe all season and it is phenomenal! You truly get a custom fit, it's very comfortable and very stable.

Hope this helps!

Thanks Chris! Can you use SYNR-G with orthotic inserts?

Chris, Many thanks for the info. I have worn both soft and metal. In fact when I first started this game of golf, that was the only spike available. In the General Forum I posted a new question today regarding the spikes on the Synr-G shoes and if they were avaiable for other FJ line shoes.

Are they strictly for the Synr-G shoes?

Mondo, There is some question about stability and now,  one of the courses near me, allows the metal spike. I talked with the Pro there and he informed me that they are allowing the metal as a result of several lawsuits in the industry regarding slipping on the course. It seems that several people have slipped while golfing and blamed it on the lack of proper footing as provided by the Soft Spike line. From what Chris has given in another reply, the new Synr-G shoe eliminates this with their stability design and cleating system or the Pros wouldn't be using it. Says a lot for FootJoy technology/

Chris, thanks for the info on the SYNR-G shoe. It is a great looking product and seems to be one of the best available.

It seems so long ago that I wore metal spikes... guess I'm showing my age!

I remember back in the day how bad the greens were from people dragging their feet on them. And then the carpets in the pro shop and locker room were always torn from abuse. So I can say that beyond the performace benefits, the associated pluses were great for the game. I will also say, the sole technology in the market far outweighs what existed, so comfort, style, performance, and economics have all been improved.  

I'd rather wear metal if I had my choice.  A lot of people haven't worn metal before so they don't know the difference, and if that is the case, I wouldn't suggest trying out a pair of metal spikes, they are very nice. 

I have a couple pairs metal but 90% of all my shoes are soft.  My club doesn't "allow" them but somedays I wear them anyways, as long as I am careful, I don't think they will have a problem.

The soft spikes they are coming out with these days are pretty darn close to the stability of metal spikes, no real reason for anyone to try metals anymore.