While we hope that metal cleats can one day be used on our mounds, a turf designed for metal cleats, suitable for sustained use in a high traffic area has yet to be invented. We checked. We called turf manufacturers, turf councils and turf testing companies. Hundreds of years of combined experience have repeatedly told us that there is not a metal cleat friendly turf available. Each response came with a recommendation: “Use rubber cleats, turf shoes or even tennis shoes. Metal cleats will cut the fibers that hold the turf together”. The surface area of a metal cleat is much smaller than plastic or rubber. In addition, steel is a much harder material than the turf. The result is metal cleats that cut through the bottom fibers of the turf. All mound manufacturers have the same warranty for their turf, NONE. They all refer to the turf manufacturer’s warranty. Why is that? Since the turf manufacturers do not recommend using metal cleats, no warranty conditions exist.
FACTS:
- All artificial turf will be damaged by metal cleats.
- All turf manufacturers recommend plastic or rubber cleats.
- Mound life with metal cleats; 1 season
- Mound life with plastic cleats; 6-8 seasons or more
PITCH PRO ONLY RECOMMENDS PLASTIC OR RUBBER CLEATS FOR ALL MOUNDS.