Following a recent PGA Tour event, Lucas Glover clarified that removing his shoes was not a protest against the AimPoint putting technique, but rather a practical decision to avoid making spike marks. Glover, a former U.S.
Open champion, took off his shoes before retrieving his ball from the water's edge after making a 10-foot birdie putt. TV commentators had suggested that Glover's actions were a silent protest against AimPoint, which has been criticized for slowing down the game and damaging greens.
However, Glover took to Instagram to set the record straight, stating that his decision had nothing to do with AimPoint. He explained that he removed his shoes to prevent making any marks around the hole, regardless of the type of spikes he was wearing. The United States Golf Association (USGA) and the R&A have allowed players to tap down spike marks since 2019.
Glover also mentioned that he was approached by an official who informed him of a complaint about spike marks and that other golfers on the course were wearing metal spikes. Glover looks forward to returning to competition and has no plans to change his shoes, stating that he will continue to wear metal spikes and that players behind him can still tap down any marks.