Lucas Glover’s Shoe Removal at 3M Open Explained

During the final round of the 3M Open, former U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover drew attention by removing his shoes after making a putt. This unusual action unfolded as Glover finished tied for 57th in the PGA Tour event held in Minnesota. After sinking a 10-foot birdie putt on the 10th hole, instead of simply retrieving his ball, Glover walked to the edge of the green, took off his shoes, and then picked up his golf ball from the cup.

The incident was curious and led to speculation, with many including Golf Channel, initially thinking it was a protest against the popular AimPoint green-reading method. Glover is known to be not fond of this system. However, the true reason was different; Glover removed his shoes to respect the players following him on the course.

The PGA Tour later clarified that Glover had been advised to be considerate of his spike marks. His shoe removal minimized potential damage to the green, especially as he was wearing metal spikes. Despite this official explanation, Glover himself provided more insight into the situation in a humorous Instagram post.

“Alright, let’s clear this up. For 23 years on the PGA Tour, I’ve worn spikes. It hasn’t been long since we couldn’t tap them down. Yesterday was the first complaint I received,” Glover stated. He added that there have been conflicts over spike marks in the past, but with the rule change allowing players to tap them down, it was unexpected to be approached about his spikes in the middle of a round.

“First of all, it’s not the officials’ place. I wasn’t breaking any rules,” Glover commented. He also noted, “There were others wearing metal spikes too. The greens were soft and seemed well-watered. In such conditions, any spikes will damage the greens.”

Glover explained that his shoe removal had nothing to do with the AimPoint system. It was his unique way to avoid marking the green excessively. “I took my shoes off to get my ball out of the hole because it was the only way to avoid marks,” he reiterated.

Despite the commotion, Glover felt the focus should shift back to other topics, mentioning Jackson Koivin as an example. He concluded his statement looking forward to upcoming events, assured of continuing to wear metal spikes, with the understanding that spike marks can be managed as per current rules.

Glover’s repeated reminders about the allowance to tap down spike marks during play underscore his practical approach to the sport. This situation, while not a major story, highlights the nuances of professional golf etiquette and rules.