Lucas Glover is clearing the air after a situation Sunday that was misinterpreted.
Glover, 45, was informed by a rules official that players behind his group had complained that he was tearing up the greens with his metal spikes during the final round of the PGA Tour's 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. So, he did something unusual — he took off his shoes before picking his ball from the cup.
Initially, fans thought he was doing the move in protest of AimPoint putting. Video of Glover's antics were shown during Golf Channel's pre-game show and the commentators jumped to conclusions that Glover, who is known to not be a fan of the Aimpoint putting technique and how it slows down play and also causes too many footsteps near the hole
was making a protest of sorts at the feel-based system.
On Monday, Glover posted a lengthy message on social media about the incident: "For 23 years on the PGA Tour I’ve worn spikes. 23 years ago, most of us did. It hasn’t been that long since we were NOT allowed to tap them down. Yesterday was the first time I’ve ever had a complaint. I know there have been some pretty heated discussions and arguments between other players in years past about spike marks and knowing how to walk, but not since we’ve been able to tap them down. Yesterday was the first time I’ve ever been approached about my spikes. In the middle of the round, by an official, not a player. First of all, it’s not the officials place. I wasn’t breaking any rules. Secondly, there were people in the groups in front of me and behind me wearing metal spikes as well. The greens at 3M are bent grass, were soft, and appeared to have been watered a fair amount (because of the forecast I’d imagine). I don’t care what you wear on your feet, metal or soft spikes, in those conditions they are going to get beat up. I did my best around the hole to tap down my damage as I was leaving the area.
"Have I mentioned that we can tap them down now? Or even fix a soft spike depression?"
"My demonstration yesterday had nothing to do with Aimpoint," Glover continued. "I have no idea how anyone came to that conclusion. I took my shoes off to get my ball out of hole because that was literally the only way to not make any marks around the hole. Again, no matter what type of spikes were on my shoes. Have I mentioned that we can tap them down now?
"My biggest disappointment in all of this, is that a small faction of people are talking too much about this, a non issue, instead of Jackson Koivun.
"Looking forward to The Rocket Classic this week. I’ll be wearing metal spikes, and the people playing behind me are still allowed to tap down the marks. Did I mention that?"
Don't expect Glover to change his shoes anytime soon. As for them coming off in Detroit this week, safe to say that won't happen, either.
Cameron Jourdan is an assistant editor of Golfweek, covering college and amateur golf, the PGA Tour and plenty more. Follow Cameron on X/Twitter (@Cam_Jourdan) or Instagram (@GolfweekJourdan).
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Lucas Glover clears the air on why he ditched his shoes at the 3M Open
