PGA Tour golfer Lucas Glover took to social media Monday to address a wave of speculation, firmly stating that removing his shoes during a recent tournament round had nothing to do with making a statement against the AimPoint putting method.
The incident occurred during the final round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, on Sunday. After draining a 10-foot birdie putt on the par-four 10th hole, Glover slipped off his shoes and walked to the cup in his socks to retrieve his ball.
Broadcast commentators interpreted the move as a silent protest against AimPoint, a green-reading technique that some players argue slows down play and causes damage to putting surfaces. Critics of the method say golfers who use it tend to walk around the putting line and near the hole to read the slope, which can leave marks.
Glover, who has previously spoken out against AimPoint, wanted to make his actual reasoning clear. In an Instagram post, he wrote: “My demonstration yesterday had nothing to do with Aimpoint. I have no idea how anyone came to that conclusion.”
He went on to explain the practical reason behind his decision: “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.”
Glover noted that a rules official had approached him after receiving a complaint about spike marks being left around the holes. He also pointed out that other players on the course that day were also wearing metal spikes.
“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,” Glover wrote. “Yesterday was the first time I’ve ever been approached about my spikes.”
It is worth noting that since 2019, the United States Golf Association and the R&A have permitted golfers to tap down spike marks in order to restore putting greens to their original condition.
Glover, who holds six PGA Tour titles including the 2009 U.S. Open, finished the 3M Open in a tie for 57th place. He wrapped up his post by saying he is looking ahead to competing this week in Detroit and has no intention of changing his footwear.
“I’ll be wearing metal spikes, and the people playing behind me are still allowed to tap down the marks. Did I mention that?” he added.
