Metal Spike Usage Less Than 1% Among More Than 10,000 Green Grass Accounts Nationwide; Plastic Cleats Continue To Dominate On TOUR As Well
Gaithersburg, MD, May 12, 2006 â?¦ Pride Sports, maker of Softspikes, the #1 cleat on TOUR and #1 selling cleat brand in the world, today reported that findings from the Company’s more than 10,000 green grass accounts nationwide have determined that metal spike usage accounts for less than 1% of the golf cleat marketplace. The Company also reports that plastic cleats continue to dominate on TOUR, based on Darrell Survey Reports that show more than 100 players wear plastic cleats in TOUR competition weekly.
These studies further support Softspikes’ longstanding position that metal spike usage in the U.S. is virtually non-existent and during the past ten years plastic cleats have gone from being a rebel product to a golf staple among the game’s more than 26 million players.
Moreover, Softspikes’ estimates that plastic cleat usage has resulted in billions of dollars in savings for golf course operators who no longer have to repair damaged greens, clubhouse carpeting, golf carts, wooden steps and other areas of a golf facility due to the damage from metal spikes.
"The comfort and performance benefits of plastic cleats for golfers is unmatched and that is evident by the fact that most green grass, as well as off-course retailers no longer sell metal spikes," said Dan Tilton, Vice President of Sales, Pride Sports. "What is even more telling is that only a handful of clubs in the U.S. still allow metal spike usage, and this is driven more by tradition than anything else. Golfers don’t wear metal anymore, and golf clubs simply cannot afford the maintenance costs associated with spikes."
During the past 10 years, plastic cleats have also become the norm on the PGA TOUR, as a majority of players continue to favor plastic cleats, despite the fact that they are permitted to wear metal spikes in competition.
"While a few players still keep with tradition and wear metal spikes, most TOUR players switched to plastic cleats long ago and they will never go back," said Tilton. "These players perform at the highest level, plus they walk the course everyday, so traction and comfort are essential to their game. As such, there is no better testament to the benefits of plastic cleats than the players on TOUR."
Tilton adds, "Perhaps the biggest irony with the players who still wear metal on TOUR is that they are not permitted to wear those spikes on their home courses."
Softspikes is a division of Pride Sports, which was formed in January 2003, following Pride Manufacturing Company’s purchase of Softspikes, Inc., and its sister company Trisport, Ltd. of England. This acquisition essentially formed the world’s premier golf accessories company, as Pride and Softspikes are the world’s leading golf tee and golf cleat lines, respectively. Today, Pride Sports is the world leader in the design and manufacture of cleats, spikes and receptacles for the entire golf footwear industry.
Contact:
Glenn Mastro
gmastro@mastrocomm.com
Mastro Communications, Inc
732-469-5700
