Are Golf Shoes Required to Play Golf?
Golf shoes offer many benefits to the player during their round. But are golf shoes required to play the game?
If you’re just starting off in the game of golf, you’ve undoubtedly faced a fundamental question all players ask themselves at one point: are golf shoes required to play golf? While the short answer to this is “No,” there are definitely benefits to wearing golf shoes during your round.
What Do Golf Shoes Do, Anyway?
At the highest level, golf shoes are athletic sneaker-like footwear that feature spikes on their bottom sole. These spikes — which are almost exclusively rubber or plastic nowadays — provide added traction by digging into the grass while walking or making a golf swing. Just as baseball or football players benefit from wearing spiked shoes, golfers experience added stability and balance, which makes it easier to generate power in the golf swing.
Traction is just one benefit that golf shoes provide. Most are also waterproof and highly durable, which help protect your feet while playing outdoors, prone to the elements of Mother Nature. Walking with wet feet or socks can lead to blisters, pain, and injury, which means you’ll be playing much less golf… and nobody wants that.
Golf shoes can also keep your feet cool and ventilated, depending on the shoes’ build and design. This provides added comfort to the golfer during their golf round, which often take longer than four hours to complete.
Are There Different Types of Golf Shoes?
As with most products in golf, there is a wide variety of options from which to choose. Many players prefer “spikeless” golf shoes, which feature tiny rubber nubs or protrusions on the bottom sole. These shoes feel very similar to gym shoes or sneakers and provide less traction than shoes that have more pronounced spikes.
Conversely, softspike golf shoes are what replaced the traditional metal spikes from years ago. These shoes feature pointed, plastic spikes on their bottom sole that can dig into the turf much more than their spikeless counterparts. You can really feel the difference while walking with these shoes on a sidewalk or parking lot, which takes some getting used to for the new player.
Most (99%) of golf shoes fall into either of these two categories, with a very small minority of players who prefer metal spikes. However, it is very unlikely you will find a golf course that permits metal spikes on their grounds due to the damage these older models cause to the grass.
Can I Just Wear Gym Shoes?
Of course! There’s no rule against wearing any type of shoe while you play golf. Some brands even sell golf sandals (but don’t be one of those people).
One word of caution: gym shoes won’t provide as much traction as golf shoes, so slipping on wet grass or sand in a bunker is a small risk during your round. If your feet move around while you swing a club, you might want to invest in an inexpensive pair of golf shoes just to be safe.
No matter what you choose to protect your feet while playing golf, the main focus should be comfort. Golf requires a great deal of walking, even if you take a golf cart for your round. Golf is meant to be enjoyed, so be sure to choose footwear that adds to that comfort and experience.
SQAIRZ Golf Shoes with Bob Winskowicz | 261
Bob Winskowicz of SQAIRZ Golf joins the show to discuss the company, products and future.
Can a pair of golf shoes actually improve your golf swing? Bob Winskowicz of SQAIRZ Golf joins the show to tell us how. Bob and Adam go deep into the design of these unique golf shoes, including the benefits of a sqaure-toed design, and how a World Golf hall-of-famer wanted to represent the brand after trying the shoes. Bob also discusses the additional benefits of the shoes, including their unique cleat pattern, innovative lacing system, and attention paid to the comfort of each shoe.
PREVIEW: Adidas Golf TOUR360 BOOST
Adidas Golf has unveiled the latest update to their TOUR360 golf shoe line: the TOUR360 BOOST.
Adidas Golf has unveiled the latest update to their TOUR360 golf shoe line: the TOUR360 BOOST. It has been more than a decade since the first TOUR360 golf shoe was introduced onto the market, and Adidas has made slight upgrades to its design every year since. This year, the TOUR360 BOOST features even more enhancements wrapped in a similar design fans have come to love.
“TOUR360 broke ground when it hit the market in 2005. Our challenge in creating the next generation was living up to the TOUR360 name,” Masun Denison, Director of Footwear at adidas Golf, told PGATOUR.com. “We took everything we’ve learned in the last 10 years including visual cues from prior models while utilizing materials and construction innovation to take the TOUR360 BOOST to the next level. It’s a culmination of years of technology, testing, insights and athlete feedback.”
So what's different? The Adidas Golf TOUR360 BOOST features something called the "Torsion Tunnel;" a line throughout the shoe's mid-sole that promises increased grip traction and overall support for your foot. Smaller enhancements include increased cushioning in the shoe, upgrades to the outer sole's lightweight materials and new color options.
The Adidas Golf TOUR360 BOOST is available for pre-order and will ship on January 8, 2016. It will retail at an MSRP of $200.
(Images from Adidas Golf)
REVIEW: True Linkswear True Motion and Game Changer Pro
The new True Motion and Game Changer Pro shoes by True Linkswear should be on your list of new products to buy in 2015. Here's our review.
True Linkswear has established itself as a leader in the golf shoe market thanks to their focus on unparalleled comfort. This trend continues with the new True Motion and Game Changer Pro golf shoe styles, both of which I tested over the last month.
True Linkswear True Motion
The Motion was inspired by the popular TRUE street style models of the past, now with an improved leather upper, updated styling that's perfect for on and off course, more aggressive barefoot tread and improved comfort essentials.
As the company description suggests, the True Motion golf shoes look and feel like street shoes. The shoes' toes are slightly wider than what I prefer, but this is a common build feature seen in other True styles. Their feel and comfort are the biggest selling points for me as they closely mirror a well-fitting pair of casual shoes. The True Motion features a spikeless sole equipped with rubber nubs that adequately grip the turf while walking or swinging the club. I've always been amazed at the level of traction the True Linkswear shoes offer the player, and the True Motion is no exception.
True Linkswear Game Changer Pro
Featuring P-Motion Technology, designers utilized an ultra-thin, lightweight proprietary rubber mesh compound created by a biomechanical engineer in the midsole of the Game Changer Pro to create the most flexible spiked shoe on the market. The combination of the rubber mesh and thin EVA foam, P-Motion delivers unprecedented TRUE Comfort and shock absorption allowing your foot to move naturally and breathe inside the shoe. By incorporating the replaceable Champ™ Zarma Tour™ soft spikes and the Slim-Lok™ system, designers were able to maintain a zero drop design with the spikes recessed into the sole.
The above description is a mouthful, but the premise is this: the Game Changer Pro is one of the first True models that feature "traditional" soft golf spikes. And they're amazing.
What I found most interesting about the Game Changer Pro was how much narrower its toes were compared to other True styles. The leather upper seemed to hug my foot more securely than what I've grown accustomed to with this brand. I'd go so far as to say the Game Changer Pro fit better than any other True style I've tried, and that's saying something.
Overall Impression
True Linkswear has hit a home run with both the True Motion and Game Changer Pro. Fans of the brand will find a familiar comfort in the True Motion and a refreshing new feel in the soft-spike-equipped Game Changer Pro. Either option could serve as your go-to golf shoe every time you play, making the choice between the two come down to personal preference. You cannot go wrong in either case.
The True Motion retails for $119.99 and the Game Changer Pro retails for $169.99. Both can be found on www.truelinkswear.com.
adidas Golf tour360 x: The World's First Self-Tying Golf Shoe?
Whenever the folks at adidas Golf announce a new addition to their golf apparel line, people stop and listen. The same can be said for the announcement of their new tour360 x golf shoe, which once again rises the bar on innovation with an exciting new twist. Literally.
According to our friends over at The Golf News Net, the adidas Golf tour360 x shoe includes an optional "tongue dial" feature that all but ties the shoes automatically.
...the eye-grabbing optional feature of these shoes is that they basically tie themselves. The tour360 x Boa model features a Boa Technology dial on the center of the tongue, enabling the player to literally dial in the fit exactly how they like it.
That's right folks; now you don't have to waste time tying your shoes before you play golf. How awesome is that?
The new adidas Golf tour360 x shoes also come equipped with the company's patented Climaproof technology to keep your feet comfortable and dry no matter the weather. Look for these shoes to hit store shelves on November 1 at a price point of $180.
GFore Gallivanter Midnight Golf Shoe Review
The new GFore Gallivanter golf shoe might be one of the nicest, most stylish pair of golf shoes I have ever owned.
Over the past year I have reported and reviewed numerous golf apparel companies who are taking golf fashion to the next level. The folks over at GFore exemplify that trend. With their Gallivanter shoe line, GFore proves that you can look great on the course without compromising the performance you expect from a high-end golf shoe.
What I love most from the Gallivanter golf shoe is its incredible style not typically seen offered by competing companies. The Gallivanter combines an athletic fit with pre-treated, water-resistant suede that is available in a variety of different colors. Make no mistake about it folks; this company loves color and is not afraid to show it.
As the company website explains, the Gallivanter "boasts a lightweight, shock-absorbing sole, raised logos positioned to provide maximum traction throughout your swing and grooves for additional flex where it’s needed most. The Gallivanter also sports a washable, quick-drying footbed, a lightweight and extra cushioned blown rubber outsole and non-slip tongue."
At the risk of sounding too "commercial", take it from me when I say you will not find a more stylish golf shoe on the market today, especially from other major brands. The GFore Gallivanter retails for $225.00 and can be purchased from the company website.
REVIEW: Puma Golf Zero Limits Golf Shoes
Puma Golf is quickly becoming a leader in golf equipment and fashion. Their latest golf shoe offering -- the Puma Golf Zero Limits series -- is stylish, durable and the essence of high-performance on the golf course. I had a chance to try out the new shoes for 18 holes recently.
As you can clearly see, the Puma ZL shoe is incredibly stylish without being too flashy. The black and white out sole gives the impression of a tuxedo style that will go well with any pant style or color. The 14 replaceable S2Quill spikes provide maximum grip on the course, even in the wet conditions I experienced during my round. The inner cushioning and breatheability -- while staying completely water-proof -- promoted a level of comfort rarely found in a golf shoe.
The Puma ZL's performance is practically unmatched in any golf shoe I have reviewed this season. I prefer a low-profile construction in my golf shoes, which the Puma ZL pulls off quite nicely. I found that despite having softspikes under my feet, I felt connected to the course as opposed to the "baseball spikes" sensation with which lesser shoes often struggle. In other words, I didn't feel like I was walking on stilts.
Retailing for $200, the Puma Golf Zero Limit golf shoe may be a bit pricey for most players. However, if you are looking for a high-caliber golf shoe that you can trust every time you play -- regardless of weather or playing conditions -- you will not find a shoe that better meets that need. As the shoe's name suggests, Puma placed no limits on themselves in an attempt to create the perfect golf shoe.
With the Puma Zero Limits series, they very well may have pulled it off.
