metal spikes or plastic discuss!!!!!

in terms of pure grip there is a lot of variation between the different models of 'soft spike'

if you really need the extra grip on safety grounds the course should be closed, but having said that the odd spike mark on the greens in those conditions isn't going to make a whole lot of difference!

generally the issue with metal spikes is the creation of spike marks on the greens rather than course damage, they (metal) clearly do produce them, and soft spikes don't. as a fellow competitor I am inevitably going to be miffed if I find a group of them 2ft from the hole on my line, in the same way as I would be miffed if I found my ball in a footprint in a bunker, or in a fresh deep divot hole when the divot is clearly visible a few feet in front etc etc

they are probably a bigger H&S risk in the summer for twisted knees and ankles than they are a saviour in the winter too.