1992Plastic spikes
Innovators: Faris McMullin and Ernie Deacon

Easier on your back, gentler on your greens (especially if Vijay Singh is playing in the group behind you in the Masters) and less lightning-friendly, soft spikes changed the game from the ground up. The original fan-like spiral design, later acquired and marketed by Softspikes, was dreamed up by the Boise , Idaho tandem of McMullin and Deacon after several Western golf associations enforced a winter spike ban. Wynstone Golf Club in Illinois led the way in banning metal spikes.