| No longer just “spikes” or even a fashion statement, today’s golf shoes have become golf performance equipment for your feet and they can really look good too! Great “strides” have been made by golf shoe manufacturers in recent years with broad research and development efforts. Today’s golf shoe has become an essential part of golf equipment with new and more supple uppers and performance enhancing sole technologies. The marketing efforts have become very creative in touting the unique features of golf shoes in what once was a very basic category in golf apparel. Globally influenced styles and colors make the golf shoe a perfect complement to a cool outfit. To give you, the Golf Fitness Magazine reader the most expert and critical information our panel wear tested each pair of shoes. Ten criteria were taken in consideration in the inaugural GFM shoe rankings. Fit, comfort, performance, styling/design, color, cool factor, cross-over appeal, value, and overall. The judges ranked each category from 1 to 10 added up their scores, to arrive at the final number for the ranking. We had varied results between the manufactures and each category. Our evaluation emphasis was on comfort, performance and value, so we hope this information will aid you when making a decision on your next shoe purchase. Your golf shoes are your connection to the course and a comfortable and stylish pair of shoes adds a positive dimension to your game.....let’s tee it up. | |
Ladies ShoesCLASSIC1st PLACE - Etonic G sok Sof-Flex GSF1-8 - MSRP $110.00These were a bit harsh on my feet after walking 18 holes with Tiger at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Pro-Am and certainly need a braking in period. They had a nice traditional look. I really liked the outer sole technology that performed very well while playing a round of golf. Ranking 80 Nike Air Zoom Elegance - MSRP $155.00 Not very cushiony and a poor fit. The foot bed was hard and stiff. It pinched across the front of my foot. My heel lifted out of the back. I like the updated saddle look and fashionable design. Ranking 73 |  |
HYBRID1st PLACE - ECCO Ace Hydromax - MSRP $160.00These shoes fit like gloves the minute I put them on. The leather hugged my foot nicely and they felt like I’d worn them for months. I loved the look and support was excellent. A great walking shoe for the course. Sporty and fashionable. Cool looking heel stabilizer. Offered the best combo of performance and style. Ranking 96 Nike Air Summer Lite - MSRP $95.00 A good golf shoe with a unique look. They were very comfortable and breathable because there is no tongue below the laces. I liked the T@C (Traction at Contact) outer sole technology (no removable spikes) that performed well on the course. Ranking 86 Etonic G Sok - MSRP $ 110.00 Nice soft flexible fit. Lightweight. Feels like a slipper. Not much support under the arch. Did not feel as much of a performance shoe in terms of support and stability. Very stylish. Could easily wear without socks. Spikeless bottom made it strong cross-over appeal. Ranking 84 |  |
TECH1st PLACE- adidas W Powerband Sport - MSRP $120.00The best stability, balance and support by far. These shoes are turbo charged on the performance meter. More sporty than fashionable in the style department. the upper mesh design breathes more and is cooler than all the leather designs. the Powerband Chassis foot bed started to feel heavy after several hours of wear. The shoe lacked a little on the comfort side, but the technology and design details ranked the highest in my opinion. Ranking 92 Nike Air Brassie - MSRP $110.00 I fell in love with the black and white check to the point that I felt comfortable walking into the club house with them and into the 19th hole as well. They were very comfortable and provided good performance on the course. Ranking 90 ECCO Casual Pitch Ribbon - MSRP $150.00 These shoes gave great support for me during my back swing, they molded to my foot and I could feel the give as I turned my foot during my follow through swing. I liked the design, however, they would not mix well with every golf outfit. They were stylish yet comfortable and I had many people stop and ask where I got them. Ranking 87 |  |
Men's ShoesCLASSIC1st PLACE - ECCO World Class - MSRP $410.00Very very classic, it’s the classic leather soled shoe of yesterday without the metal spikes. They are very sharp and most people noticed as I wore them around the golf course. They were very comfortable, fit well and performed will on the course. The performance features were there too, gortex lined, anti-bacterial sole inserts with and extra pair in the box. Ranking 96 Nike Air Zoom Pro - MSRP $169.99 A snug fit, which gives you great stability. The black and white styling was a little bland for my taste, but the shape of the contrast color was pretty cool. A solid sole, which performed very well. The top part of the heel was too sturdy, which needs some “breaking” in. Ranking 82 |   |
HYBRID1st Place adidas Tour 360 ltd. - MSRP $250.00Wow! An absolutely awesome shoe. Classic and sleek at the same time. Great fit and you do truly feel that you are closer to the turf, which adidas claims. I love the off center design of the front of the shoe and....the color Mustang brown is sharp! Ranking 97 Etonic G – SOK RCS - MSRP $129.99 Very comfortable and fit around the foot great. No break in, I wore them straight out to the box to follow the players around Isleworth Country Club during the recent Tavistock Cup competition. I liked the sole technology (no removable spikes) and multi-color design. They really griped the ground well when I played with them on. However, I’m not sure how long the good grip will last. The sole is made by Goodyear™, so I assume I will get great mileage out of them. I also like the style of the shoe, a nice compliment to your golf ensemble. Ranking 88 Nike – Air Zoom Elite - MSRP $155.00 These were very comfortable and provided great traction during the swing. I liked the sleek look of a white shoe with just enough accent with the silver swoosh. Great all around shoe. Ranking 87 ECCO C-Force Hydromax - MSRP $230.00 A great fitting shoe, although the heel seemed a little generous. Great comfort and a good performance sole. I liked the softness of the vamp, which created a comfortable feel on the top of the foot. White/Orange is a sharp look. Ranking 86 |  |
TECH1st PLACE - Nike Air Tour TW - MSRP $230.00From the moment I slipped them on I could feel a different kind of support around my feet that enhanced a solid connection to the turf with my heels and the balls of my feet. They gave me confidence that the foundation of my swing would be secure. Great look and leathery quality. Very nice, great “cool factor”. Ranking 97 adidas Powerband Sport - MSRP $120.00 These felt like just like putting on a great pair of running shoes, yet they had a nice solid connection to the turf. These would be great for the golfer who walks the course or regularly plays an extreme amount of holes each time they play. However the color we tested (canary yellow/ silver) would leave most golfers challenged to match with their wardrobe. Ranking 74 |  |
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