QuickSpikes turn any shoes into golf shoes

A lot of golf products cross my desk each year, and there are times that I ask myself, “Why?”

Specifically, “Why would anyone want or need this?”

And I have to admit that when I first saw QuickSpikes, this is exactly what I thought. What are QuickSpikes, you ask? Well, they are softspikes integrated into a stretchy rubber web that you slip on non-golf shoes to turn them instantly into golf shoes.

I will also admit that I was skeptical: After slipping them onto my tennis shoes, I figured the QuickSpikes would slip and slide around, especially considering my often less-than-controlled-and-balanced swing.

Then I went and walked nine holes.

QuickSpikes ($25) feel a little spongy when walking on concrete or hardwood floors, but once on the hallowed turf of the links, well, they feel pretty darn stable. And more importantly, they are as comfy as your favorite pair of shoes.

Swing after barely-controlled swing, I checked the QuickSpikes, and observed no slippage at all. And my feet, which had bothered me a bit this year, felt wonderful.

Now, QuickSpikes aren’t pretty. You’ll get some chuckles from your weekly foursome. But if you’re heading out of town and think you could perhaps squeeze in a round with rented clubs somewhere, QuickSpikes are a light, compact, inexpensive alternative to packing your clunky spikes.

And even for regular rounds, as Chris Edmondson, general manager of the pro shop at Lake of the Woods Golf Course in Mahomet, Ill., said, “It’s not a fashion show out there. I’d much rather wear my tennis shoes.”

Now to answer my question, “Why would anyone need this?” In the case of QuickSpikes, I’d say the reason is that they’d be pretty handy for just about any golfer. Roll up a pair and put them in your golf bag, and never be caught without golf shoes again.

QuickSpikes slip onto any pair of shoes.