Will Golf Shoes With Retractable Metal Spikes Succeed?
They went to The Dragon’s Den (Darrell Bachmann & his wife & partner Colleen) with a patent and a prototype and these guys invested! Developed by the golf course superintendent Darrell, they went into the Den and the Dragons fought for the investment until all five Dragons were in… so what’s it all about?
The Kickspike is based on the belief that metal spikes are better for grip – but they are banned from most US courses. So a spike which you release for play and then withdraw for the greens – with a kick of the button on the heel.
My own point of view is that it’d be great if it succeeds (a great story) but I think it’s a bit of a gimmick and a nuisance – now they have the soft spike/cleats technology going. But wait and see! The USGA likes it – quoted as saying it’ the best thing since the sand wedge!
Darrell, the inventor is gong to be interviewed on NBC today 28.2.09
Todd is on the right track. Golfers don’t follow cart signs, repair ball marks etc. so the belief that they will click thier heels 36 times a round is naive. In addition, a new product should solve a problem which this does not. The “soft spikes” work, albeit not as well as steel, and therefore amateurs don’t require an alternate product.
The reference to Tour players is not valid: They have impeccable etiquette, don’t drink alcohol during the round and have thier own interests at stake unlike the masses.
This idea has too many faults to ever be a money maker. ie. what happens when on the 4th hole the spikes don’t rertract? Or even worse, what if the spikes don’t come out and now you have to golf with zero traction!? Who fixes the mechanism and for how much? …what is the cost to replace the spikes?… courses to save $30,000/yr — pure speculation. I would licence the idea and walk away-without having to kick.Ray Lang
Where could we get something like this for in the snow? The kind you put on your boots fall off.
first of all i don’t believe this invention is his idea ,
there r several inventions very similar to this kick spike in U S patent office.
but they are the same junk too ,there r lots of inventions out there that r worthless ,and this is one of them .
i bet this shoe will not last more than a month on the greens ,that’s why it has not picked up yet.
PS From Golf Shoes Blog: I have let this go though it lacks in spelling and tact equally, as it does express one point of view.
I dont believe these shoes will catch on for one reason. In order for them to be comfortable to walk in…yes some of us do still walk golf courses…they would need to have a much greater ability to flex in the arch than this design allows.
These shoes will throw you off balance! they look like platform shoes.
I’m a British inventor with proven patented technology for golf shoes where the spikes AUTOMATICALLY extend when on grass! No buttons to press (or forget to press!) I’m seeking investment to produce prototypes if there’s anyone out there willing to help.
This is a brilliant idea. At the end of the day, the greens are chewed up by soft spikes. However, it will take some time for the idea to catch on. Switching from steel spikes to spikeless once a person hits the green will be the equivalent of not walking on a putting line. We’re aware of it, and we remind each other if the infraction has occurred.
Golfers, before anyone else are concerned the most about condition of the putting surfaces, and I believe they will embrace the technology and be very aware of making sure they retract these spikes when walking on greens! Metal spikes were the best traction on golf courses.
Darrell’s wife and partner’s name is COLLEEN, not Carole.
(Changed thanks, Tate)
I am a golfer and these will work! People love a new toy and if they are able to save the greens on top of it they will kick the button!
This is not going to work. Golf courses may accept them but people in general are lazy / forgetful and after time we won’t remember to click off the spikes when getting on the greens and they’ll just become normal steel spike golf shoes and they’ll eventually be banned.