I like to use them! I like the finished look! Call me strange but I like to dot all the "i's" and cross the "t's"! It protects the belly hole from getting pounded to heck and I think the fact that you might get a little noise from the swivel hitting the grommet is not a bad thing! Some will say it will enable the fish to leverage the swivel against the edge of the grommet but I have not had one fail yet?! Its all up to the individual.....some like them, some don't!
Of course I use AYC not a hard wood.