EAST LANSING, Mich. - It's said you really can't know a golfer unless you walk a mile in their shoes.
OK, maybe not a mile, but golf shoes - or more specifically, the spikes on the bottom - are a big issue on courses across the nation.
On Monday, July 17, Michigan State University turf grass researchers for the second year will conduct a study to evaluate the performance and traction characteristics of different golf shoes and spikes. It's a hard look at grip vs. slip.
One hundred people who can fit into size 11 golf shoes are needed to hit golf balls off the driving range tee, out of a bunker and from a sloping rough 12 successive times wearing different pairs of shoes to help evaluate the comfort, security and quality of new golf shoe spikes.
Golf spikes have become an issue as traditional metal spikes are being banned across courses nationally because of their wear and tear on greens. Golf shoe companies have rushed to fill the void with a variety of shapes and configurations of spikes.
From this has sprung controversy, said John N. "Trey" Rogers, associate professor of turfgrass science.
"There have been a lot of complaints about spikes," Rogers said. "We're searching for the perfect alternate spike, and we need help doing it. This is as applied as research gets."
The study will be at Forest Akers Golf Course East Course Practice Facility on Harrison Road south of Mt. Hope Road on MSU's campus. The study will take approximately one hour.
All participants will receive cleats and be eligible for grand prizes including free rounds of golf. Those interested in getting a tee time for the study may contact Rogers at (517) 355-0214 or Thom Nikolai at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center at 285-9117.