Dick,
Usually you can give the tips a quarter turn twist to lock/unlock the anti-shock system. I'm not sure about yours, but mine work this way. Hang on to the handle and twist the tip (or the other way around).
Dan
-From REI:
"Antishock springs can be turned on and off with a twist of the pole�use the extra cushion for going downhill; set it rigid for support uphill"
