One of my favorite things about writing product reviews is seeing the evolution of a brand. In the case of True Linkswear, it has been dramatic and impressive. Starting out as a pure golf shoe company, they are now playing in the crossover / lifestyle arena. Moreover, the styles have vastly improved to meet more of mainstream look. Old True Linkswear fans will fondly recall the “clown shoe” look of yore.

Specifically, a few years ago (gosh COVID just ruins all of my time estimates) True Linkswear introduced their True Knits which were super light, super comfy and appropriate for all manners of activities. To that end, I have a pair of True Knits that I have only played golf in one time but I wear nearly every day. It’s not that the Knits are not appropriate for golf, it’s more that they just do not have as much structure as I would like.

True Linkswear has been a brand that has always intrigued me, though I never owned a pair of their shoes until this year. Earlier in the year, I tried a pair of the Outsiders, and while I liked the look, the feel was just a bit off for me. Fortunately, Three Guys gave me a pair of True Linkswear TL-01s to try out and review.

In 2017, True Linkswear scrapped basically every model they had and started from scratch. To that end, they settled on just two models, The Original and the Outsider. Since that time I have worn both models but am a much bigger fan of the Original (I have 4 pairs of the Original, and for what it’s worth, I purchased 3 pairs with my own money).

Ever seen those pants that turn into shorts when you unzip them at the knee? Sounds good on paper, but somehow it just does not translate. Seems whenever a company tries to make a product into more than one thing it just ends up being not great at either.

While not exactly the same idea, Jack Grace is trying a similar stunt with their golf shoes, but unlike the zip-away pants, this novel concept has legs. Here is the gig: make a solid golf shoe that can be easily modified for tons of unique looks. 

I have been fighting the running shoe/golf shoe trend for a few years now but it may be time to give up. The reality is that for 90% of golfers, shoes don’t make a bit of difference when it comes to scoring so you might as well wear the most comfortable shoes possible. Sure, we can throw a few nubs on the bottom if it makes you feel better.

I have owned nearly every style of True Linkswear golf shoes except the original Proto. While the Proto carried the Bozo style toe box, the shoe garnered great reviews and many True Linkswear fans still contend it remains their best shoe with legendary comfort and quality. Could the True Linkswear Orginal be the heir apparent?

I have a shoe problem but I don’t expect any sympathy. The good thing about having a shoe problem is that, unlike clubs, golf shoes are super easy to swap in and out of rotation. So much so that I rarely wear a pair of shoes twice in a row. The “good news” for you the reader is that I have logged hundreds of miles in the shoes I review.

Footjoy, the number one shoe in golf – period. Yep, it is going to be a hard road to knock off this perennial powerhouse. Part of Footjoy’s dominance comes from the fact they have so many styles. From the tried and true Dryjoy’s to the M Project, Footboy has the map covered. However, with so many models it’s like a box of chocolates with every review-I just don’t know what I am gonna get or like. Unlike other brands, Footjoy has a dizzying amount of variability, making it hard to give a blanket statement about the brand other than they run wide, are generally comfortable, and typically lack style.

The first pair of expensive golf shoes I ever pined for were the Ecco Street. Unlike anything at the time, these shoes represented one of the first steps in the evolution of cross over golf shoes. While I never purchased the Ecco Street, I ended up reviewing them a few years later. Since that time I have reviewed a number of Ecco golf shoes and have carefully watched as the brand has made steady improvements to their line.

Despite increased competition from both major brands and smaller shoe companies, Footjoy has maintained its absolute dominance in the golf shoe market. Next to your clubs, golf shoes are probably the most important golf gear you will buy. Take it from someone who regularly has 8 pairs of golf shoes, having the right shoe can make a huge difference in comfort, traction, and to some extent, performance.

For years I have had my eye on the Adidas Tour 360, but for whatever reason I have never owned a pair. Unlike most models of golf shoes, the Tour 360 have remained relatively consistent over the past 10 years without a major design overhaul. This year’s model is no exception, although they definitely look way cooler than past models.

Of all of the companies I work with, True Linkswear is one of my favorites. I have reviewed about 8 pairs of their shoes and still have about 6 that are in and out of rotation. What has really been fun for me is to see the evolution of the brand. While you may think it is really quick and easy to design shoes, the fact is that it is a long process from sketch pad to retail shelf.

As a kid, you quickly learn the difference between a cool shoe and a “bobo shoe”. Not endorsing this form of bullying, but the fact is advertisers have done a great job of making us brand snobs. In my case, (lucky or not), I had hippie parents who saw no reason to get name-brand kicks (smart parents) so I was keenly aware of my bobo shoe status.

Everyone has a weak spot, mine is golf shoes (at least that is what I am willing to admit to on a public blog). Fortunately, Three Guys Golf is a great way to feed my addiction without going to the poor house. So each and every year I look forward to checking out all of the latest golf shoes to find the latest and greatest. New colors, new technology, new names, it just never gets old for me. This year’s entry from Footjoy is called the Freestyle. If you recall, last Spring I reviewed the Footjoy Hyperflex which in my opinion was totally ill-named as they were stiff as a board. Luckily, the Freestyle is a whole different story.

Somehow, after reviewing golf shoes for 5 years, I have never stepped into a pair of Pumas. Thankfully this atrocity has now come to an end. It begins each winter when the new shoe models are rolled out and I make a list of the ones that I think are both cool looking and comfortable. There are always the usual suspects – brands that I know and trust – but it is much more fun to find shoes that I have yet to wear. Like anyone, it is easy to get locked into one company and never venture far from the expected.