Lucas Glover metal spikes flap explained after barefoot 3M Open moment
Lucas Glover says he took off his golf shoes at the 3M Open because of spike-mark complaints, not an AimPoint protest.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Lucas Glover metal spikes chatter followed him off the 10th green at the 3M Open, and the PGA Tour veteran says the viral moment was about complaints over marks on the putting surface, not a protest over AimPoint.
Glover addressed the scene Monday on Instagram after video from Golf Channel showed him removing his shoes following a birdie putt during Sunday’s final round at TPC Twin Cities. He then walked in socks to collect his ball from the cup.
According to ESPN, television commentary had suggested Glover was objecting to AimPoint, the green-reading system used by many players. Glover rejected that explanation in his Instagram post, saying he did not understand how that idea took hold.
Why did Lucas Glover take off his shoes?
Glover said an official approached him during the round after complaints that metal spikes were leaving marks on the greens. He said it was the first complaint he had received about his spikes in 23 years on the PGA Tour.
Glover said he removed his shoes because, in his view, walking to the hole in socks was the only way to avoid leaving more marks around the cup. He also said he was not violating a rule.
Michael Kim, who also played in the tournament, wrote on X that someone wearing metal spikes was allegedly creating rough spike marks by not walking cleanly, and that one or more players complained to rules officials because they thought it was Glover. Kim wrote that officials then told Glover, leading to his reaction.
Glover said on Instagram that other players in groups ahead of and behind him were also wearing metal spikes. He also said the bent-grass greens at the 3M Open were soft and appeared to have been watered heavily, which he suggested made marks more likely regardless of shoe type.
Golf rules now allow players to repair spike marks on the putting green, a point Glover repeatedly raised in his post. He said golfers playing behind him could tap down any marks left behind.
What is AimPoint in golf?
ESPN described AimPoint as a green-reading system used by many of Glover’s competitors. The method has drawn attention because players using it can stand near the line of a putt while judging the slope.
Glover said the AimPoint theory was wrong. His explanation was narrower: he said he was trying to avoid adding damage around the hole after being told about complaints tied to his spikes.
The shoe drama came on a day Glover said should have belonged to Jackson Koivun. ESPN reported that Koivun, a rookie, held off world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler to win his first PGA Tour event, closing with a 5-under 66 and finishing at a tournament-record 25-under 259.
Glover, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, finished tied for 57th at 5 under, according to ESPN. He is listed in the field for this week’s Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club.
Glover also made clear his footwear plan is not changing. In his Instagram post, he said he will wear metal spikes in Detroit and noted again that players behind him may repair the marks.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.