Golf Shoe Spike Removal

[capking]

Does anyone have any good tips for removing soft spikes that are worn? I have the average 2 pin removal tool that rips the spike as soon as you try to get it out 75% of the time....

I’ve tried tons of ways with pliers but now my adidas style don’t just pop out if you yank on them hard. Now I have to use 2 pliers and try and turn them in unison. I’m at a loss does anyone have a good technique?

[bellken]

To loosen up the spikes, put your shoes in a pan/tub with water, so, that the spikes are submersed in water. 10-20 minutes of soaking should make the spikes easier to remove. Needle nose pliers, that you can puncture the spike with, should allow you to get enough leverage to remove the spikes, but, try it with your 2 pin removal tool first, as, it might be work fine. Check the Golf Style & Accessories sub-forum for more tips.

[capking]

Thanks will do, I tried searching on the site but it’s far from ideal. I also tried tightening before loosening .

[Myherobobhope]

There is a different spike removal tool... it has angled teeth? Works far better than the two pin system.https://www.golfworks.com/softspikes-pulsar-ultimate-cleat-kit/p/ps0045/

[T-3]

I soak in hot, soapy water as suggested above. It has worked even on spikes that were so stuck they tore or broke with pliers. Wiggle with pliers or a spike wrench after and they will loosen. Worst case let them soak overnight and be sure all the spikes were submerged. If the shoes aren’t fully waterproof, submerge one part of the sole at a time. But usually 20 min soaking is enough.

[soregongolfer]

Hot water for 10 minutes or so is the method I've used for years as well.

[cristphoto]

[Mark1621420]

I had spikes that would NOT come out no matter how much I put them in hot soapy water or trying with my 2 pin. My shoes were only 2 months old at the time and couldn't believe the struggle I was having. The remedy I did was get a drill bit that is the same size as the 2 pin holes. Drill the holes a little deeper to get to the harder plastic portion of the spike but make sure not to go to far and get into the bottom of the shoe. It is very easy just takes a little time and testing to figure out your depth. Once you get the depth the 2 pin actually sits farther down and contacts the hard plastic making leverage easier with the ability to put more pressure in removing the spike without ripping it apart. I had great success doing this without going into the bottom of the shoe.

[Warrior42111]

I've used locking pliers many times with good results

 

[Dpavs]

I used to have the same problem removing them and after buying one of these I've never had another issue getting them out.

 

[capking]

Thanks guys I ordered that different wrench, in a couple weeks I’ll use the soak technique.

[Dpavs]

From my experience once you have the shredder type wrench... you won't need the soapy water :)

[capking]

Easiest change out I’ve ever had, thanks everyone. The soapy water also help cleans all the grit out of the grooves.

[Rebbutt]

Hot water soak for 30 mins, then remove dirt and small rocks from spike holes with small pointy tool (I use a mini screw driver), then use 2-prong spike removal tool ... works 100% of time for me

[BiggErn]

This right here

[tiderider]

honestly think the best way is to simply change them out sooner ... i've come to that realization after 25 years ... but that tool above looks pretty capable ... even if it is from a tennessee fan ...

[Twohey]

Can't be the SoftSpike CleatKaddy.

[cabinetboy]

Heat application. For one especially challenging pair, I used a hair dryer to really get the spikes loose.

[MattyO1984]

Wish I knew some of these tips about 12 years ago. I was taking spikes out of an old pair of FJ classics. There were some that I simply could not get. I ended up tearing a ligament in my left wrist trying too hard to get those things out.

[bsawhney]

This one works great for removing the spikes, it has 3 different attachments.https://www.amazon.com/Champ-Golf-Spikes-Maxpro-Wrench/dp/B0011Q02OG/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=CHAMP+Pro+Max+Golf+Spike+Wrench&qid=1597106333&sr=8-1

[LukeDonaldsTiger]

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of having to remove a broken cleat, and decided to exchange all of them.

Shoes are FJ Packard, so they have the FastTwist 3.0 system, with the little hole in the middle of the cleats.

 

I submerged the shoes in hot water for 15 minutes. They float, which helps.

Then I had to remove little stones from the holes where the wrench goes- it's amazing that there seemed to be a small stone in every hole of every cleat. It's 18x2=36 small stones that sat PERFECTLY in those holes and blocked access for the wrench. Absolute pleasure. I used a sharp tweezer and it took a good ten minutes to get the holes clean enough to fit the wrench again.

 

Then I carefully inserted the wrench with some vertical pressure, to ensure not wearing out the two holes, and turned it counterclockwise until the cleats came loose. Some of them were really worn out and I barely got them to turn. All the sand and small stones that are underneath are adding friction and the two wrench holes on each cleat don't really provide too much leverage to begin with.

 

After removing them, I saw that there's a lot of additional sand/dirt stuck in the cleat mounts on the shoe, which will wear out the threads. It took a good while and the tweezers again to remove that dirt completely, even after the thorough soaking I gave the shoes.

 

My insights:

 

Exchange cleats every 20 or so rounds, as they wear out fast and then it gets ugly.

Clean the mounts on the shoes equally well AFTER removal of the cleats, so they hold the new ones and don't wear out too quickly.

Check regularly if the cleats sit tight- some of them had slowly come loose.

Pressurized air with a small needle would be perfect for cleaning after soaking, but I don't own a compressor- might be another reason, besides more convenience when changing grips.

 

Hope it helps.

 

 

 

 

Edited February 14, 2022 by LukeDonaldsTiger

[cristphoto]

I just mix a solution of hot water and dishwashing soap.  Put in an old Windex spray bottle and shake it up well.  Spritz thoroughly on spikes and let sit a few minutes.  I NEVER use the 2-prong remover tool as you need to worry if the two little holes in the spike are clogged. I use either the accessory for 6-spike and 8-spike spikes depending on the spike.  This grabs each spike leg and makes removal easier.  If I have a real tough spike to remove (very rare as I typically change the spikes before they are too worn) I use a Spike Ripper tool that will remove spikes under any condition.  I purchased the complete kit from SoftSpikes that included the wrench, two lug, six lug, and eight lug bits plus a Ripper.  Since these parts basically last forever it's a decent thing to own.  

[jholz]

4 hours ago, LukeDonaldsTiger said:

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of having to remove a broken cleat, and decided to exchange all of them.

Shoes are FJ Packard, so they have the FastTwist 3.0 system, with the little hole in the middle of the cleats.

 

I submerged the shoes in hot water for 15 minutes. They float, which helps.

Then I had to remove little stones from the holes where the wrench goes- it's amazing that there seemed to be a small stone in every hole of every cleat. It's 18x2=36 small stones that sat PERFECTLY in those holes and blocked access for the wrench. Absolute pleasure. I used a sharp tweezer and it took a good ten minutes to get the holes clean enough to fit the wrench again.

 

Then I carefully inserted the wrench with some vertical pressure, to ensure not wearing out the two holes, and turned it counterclockwise until the cleats came loose. Some of them were really worn out and I barely got them to turn. All the sand and small stones that are underneath are adding friction and the two wrench holes on each cleat don't really provide too much leverage to begin with.

 

After removing them, I saw that there's a lot of additional sand/dirt stuck in the cleat mounts on the shoe, which will wear out the threads. It took a good while and the tweezers again to remove that dirt completely, even after the thorough soaking I gave the shoes.

 

My insights:

 

Exchange cleats every 20 or so rounds, as they wear out fast and then it gets ugly.

Clean the mounts on the shoes equally well AFTER removal of the cleats, so they hold the new ones and don't wear out too quickly.

Check regularly if the cleats sit tight- some of them had slowly come loose.

Pressurized air with a small needle would be perfect for cleaning after soaking, but I don't own a compressor- might be another reason, besides more convenience when changing grips.

 

Hope it helps.

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, echoes of my efforts to rehab my father-in-law's golf shoes several years ago. I'm not sure I'd go with 20 rounds, but you do have to be proactive with replacing softspikes. If you let them go too long, it's always a nightmare. 

 

Edited February 14, 2022 by jholz

[bellken]

I have the spike removal tool kit, but, the last time I changed a few soft spikes, I used an adjustable groove joint wrench. It grabs hold of the spike easily, and, it gives you a lot of leverage to twist the spike out.

[Stanks]

I have a spike removal tool but don't use spikes anymore. I'm sure once my Eccos ware out, that I'll go back to Puma PWRAdapts but, the Eccos are just bullet proof. 

[bfisher410]

Best tip I can give is let your pro shop change em out.