Shoes and spikes
Part 6 of the Equipment Rules allows shoes that help you get a firm stance. Spikes are allowed, subject to the conditions of the competition. What shoes may not have are features designed to help you take or build a stance, help with alignment, or otherwise assist play.
Metal spikes and Model Local Rule G-7
A ban on metal spikes comes through a Local Rule. Model Local Rule G-7 lets a Committee prohibit shoes with traditional spikes, or metal spikes, that could contact the course, with breaches penalised under Rule 4.3. It applies only when a Committee adopts it, so check the Local Rules and the Terms of the Competition.
Turf studies on footwear
Turf researchers have long studied how footwear damages greens. Golfdom's history of golf footwear reports two studies by the USGA Green Section:
- 1948. Researchers Fred Grau and Marvin Ferguson found, in a limited study, that lug-soled shoes caused less damage to greens than steel spikes.
- 1983. A later Green Section study found that metal spikes did the most damage and spikeless soles the least.
Gloves
What the rules allow
Part 6 allows only "plain" gloves. A plain glove is a fitted covering for the hand with a separate sheath or opening for each finger and the thumb, and smooth material over the whole palm and the gripping surfaces. A glove may not have:
- padding, meaning material more than 0.025 inch (0.635 mm) thicker than the areas next to it;
- straps that attach the hand to the club, or anything that binds the fingers together;
- material that sticks to the grip;
- features to help place the hands, other than visual aids;
- added weight, or anything that restricts joint movement.
Rule 4.3a of the 2023 Rules of Golf, in effect from 1 January 2023, allows plain conforming gloves, resin or drying agents, and a towel or handkerchief wrapped around the grip. It does not allow non-conforming gloves or other equipment that gives an unfair advantage in hand position or grip pressure.
Choosing one
Retailer American Golf gives this guidance:
- Which hand. A glove is usually worn on the lead hand (the left, for a right-handed player), though some players wear two.
- Fit. It should fit tightly, and sizes vary by brand.
- Cabretta leather. Supple and breathable, but less durable; American Golf puts its life at roughly six months of regular use.
- Synthetic "all-weather". More durable, with less feel.
- Rain gloves. Designed to grip a wet club.
- Cold-weather gloves and winter mitts. For warmth; mitts are worn only between shots.
These are a retailer's descriptions, not test results.
Clothing and tape
Part 6 says clothing may not have features designed to help alignment or otherwise assist play. Compression clothing and posture garments are allowed, but clothing that stores and releases energy, or that restricts or enhances movement, breaches Rule 4.3. Tape, including kinesiology tape, is allowed for medical reasons if it is not used excessively and the Committee is satisfied it gives no undue advantage. Using tape for a non-medical reason in a way that might help your grip or stroke breaches Rule 4.3.
Tees and ball-markers
- Tees. No longer than 4 inches (101.6 mm), and must not indicate the line of play or unduly influence how the ball moves. Tethered tees are allowed on difficult turf if they are not set up to show the line of play.
- Ball-markers. Part 6 treats a marker as an alignment device, not allowed under Rule 4.3, if it can measure or interpret slope or green speed, has optical or electronic parts, is more than 1.0 inch tall, or is more than 2.0 inches across while carrying a line or extension of 2.0 inches or more.
Nothing on this page says a particular shoe, glove or accessory conforms. Check the Local Rules before you play.