Skechers is a term that’s synonymous with foot apparel and for many years now they have been a fixture in the malls of America. With their uniquely crafted and popular shoe designs, Skechers has made a name for themselves in today’s pop culture. Believe it or not, they have now taken on the challenging task of entering the golf shoe market.

As I made my way around the 2013 PGA Expo in Vegas last month I was more than a bit surprised to bump into the Skechers booth. “Huh, did I make a wrong turn and find my way into the X Games pavillion?” After being reassured Skechers was in fact a bonafide exhibitor, I dove in to see what they were up to and how they planned on making a mark in the brutal golf shoe market.

For this review we received a pair of the Skechers GObionics in the Black and Red.  As you can see the shoe has a very athletic, very sporty appearance and tipping the scales at a mere 10.9oz it is surprisingly light. The athletic look falls right in line with Skechers other products; they’ve basically taken the very successful GObionic line and morphed it into a practical yet effective golf shoe.

The GObionics are lightweight, comfortable, waterproof and have more grip than a rock climber . . . thanks to their trademarked ResaGrip™ the Skechers have not disappointed. Using their GObionic engineering, Skechers has taken a natural inspired organic design and created a golf shoe that allows your feet to move more freely. Furthermore, with a zero drop heel you also get the natural barefoot feeling that has become widely popular in golf shoes of late. NOTE: I found they do run a little small, so you might want to consider a half size up when picking a size.

I broke the GObionics in over several practice sessions and was quite pleased. They’re actually pretty rugged and can take a good beating. Considering how lightweight they are I was sure they would be susceptible to damage or show signs of wear, however that hasn’t been the case.

Several rounds in, the GObionics are still holding up their appearance and what’s even more impressive is how the comfort level has improved since I first put them on – there is definitely a break in period.  The traction while on the course is superb and the stability you get is surprising.

I believe that Skechers is off to a great start and certainly on the right path to a great golf shoe. Just like many of the companies that have come into the golf segment, I only see them making positive improvements as they continue to learn and gain feedback from their customers.

The GObionics retail for $130.00 and are available on the Skechers website.  They’re offered in three color patterns; the Black/Red we reviewed, an energetic Green/Black version and a stylish White.

Welcome to the golf world Skechers, we’re glad to see you

Heavy is the head the wears the crown, and for Footjoy, maintaining their market share is surely not easy. Like every golfer, I have owned my fair share of Footjoys in the past. To be honest, I walked away from the brand a few years ago as I saw other companies releasing innovative designs while FJ tended to be stuck in the saddled Dryjoy.

Recently, however, FootJoy has become bolder as evidenced by the M Project shoe that we reviewed this summer. Additionally, Footjoy has expanded their popular MyJoys line in which customers can create a near endless pallet of shoe concepts.

The process is simple. Start by choosing the basic model and then customize base colors, accents, laces and initials. The web interface makes it all super easy to switch out colors and even gives you ideas based on color preferences.

So, with time to kill and endless opportunity, I sat down to design my first pair of MyJoys. While FootJoy now offers customization on the casual shoe, I decided to go with the Icon seeing how I have been bashing tour shoes for being outdated by the more progressive spikeless/alternative shoes. I guess I figured it was only fair to give them a real shot and with the Icon I would be able to test the top of the line FJ classic golf shoe.

To be clear, a basic white or black with a mild accent color would perhaps have been wiser, but no one has ever accused me of being wise. Plus, I wanted to push the envelope a bit. Hence, I ended up with blue shoes with yellow trim. The way I see it, we all have brightly colored tennis shoes and think nothing about wearing them with virtually any pair of shorts or pants so why should golf shoes be any different?

After completing the order, which included initialing the heel (why anyone would pass on this option is a mystery to me), I was informed that my shoe would take about two weeks to complete. Not too bad considering it would be made specifically for me and to my specifications.

When the shoes did arrive, I must say it was pretty cool to see my creation in the flesh. A monster? Maybe, but it is my beast. The next question would be how would I like them compared to my spikeless shoes that I have come to love.

Round one: Typically I walk, but his day we took a cart. I was pleasantly surprised that the FJ Icons did not feel overly heavy. On the contrary, they were very comfortable and obviously provided a ton of support and traction. After 18 holes my feet felt great and I had to admit that I dug the tour look. One odd advantage is that there is no doubt what sport I am playing when wearing these babies, something that is not as true with soft-spiked “alt” shoes.

Round two: 18 walking on my home course, or as I say “my bread and butter” round. I probably walk 100 rounds per year so I am no stranger to hoofing it. After 9 holes, the feet felt great. My dogs were not too hot despite waterproof leather and I appreciated the support as some of my walking shoes are a little sloshy.

After 18 holes, however, I did notice I was slightly more tired than normal. The fact is the FJ Icons are a bit heavier than the new super-light golf shoes. Frankly, the Icon was never marketed as a walking shoe so it is not a huge knock to say there are better options for those who prefer not to take a cart.

As I mentioned earlier, the FJ Icons are waterproof and come with a two year warranty. If there is one thing FootJoy knows how to do, it is make a shoe that lasts forever. I think I have three pairs of Footjoys in the garage that I cannot bring myself to throw away even though I wore them for ages and will likely never wear again.

In the end, I remain a huge fan of the spikeless golf shoe and believe they will ultimately dominate the market. With that said, I have a certain level of appreciation for the classic style and the MyJoy Icons represent a fine example of craftsmanship and lasting quality – they will be part of my “big match” rotation.

You can design your own Myjoys on the Footjoy website.

The Footjoy website says “M Project is unlike anything you’ve ever seen from Footjoy” That my friends, could not be more true. So true that I had to double check the tag to make sure this is in fact the same Footjoy that has been around since . . . well since forever.

Chances are if you’ve played golf for any length of time you have owned at least one pair of Footjoys. Despite all of the hoopla around new companies, these guys still command around 40% market share (at least). Don’t believe me? –  the next time you play golf, look around and see how many saddle DryJoys you spot – yup, nearly every other guy has a pair.

Personally, I have owned many pairs of Footjoy shoes over the years and I’ve enjoyed their stability, longevity and waterproofness (not sure if that is a word but it’s true). Therefore, I was very curious to see how the M Project matched up feature-wise versus the more familiar styles. First off, the M Project is waterproof and comes with a 2 year guarantee. Check 1. Stability wise, the leather M Project are quite structured despite the minimalist styling. Check 2.

Where you really notice the difference between these and any other Footjoy (beyond the over-stitching and ribbons) is the low profile. As I’ve mentioned in other posts, I walk most of my rounds so I was interested to see if the M Project would be as comfortable as the other Footjoys I have worn.Suffice it to say, Footjoy knows feet and comfort. Despite my somewhat nagging back problems, I found these shoes to be a great walking shoe as they provide plenty of cushion. Additionally, I really like the feel that the low profile affords.

Note that Footjoy offers a cleated version of the M Project as well and while it is slightly elevated, they claim that is the lowest profile cleat in the industry. For the purpose of this review I figured we would go Full Monty and check out the most “alt version” offered. Anyhow, I have worn enough spikeless golf shoes to know that they can provide provide plenty of traction and this was also the case in the M Project.

In short, these have been really enjoyable shoes to review. I found them to provide a stable base to hit from, sensitivity to the ground and sufficient padding to walk 18 holes. Toss in a wide variety of styles, colors, materials, sole versions, and the pedigree of Footjoy and you’ve got all you need from a golf shoe. The Footjoy M Project have a street price around $130 so they won’t break the bank either.

You can see the whole line of Footjoy products on their website.

I’m starting to feel like I’m the unwitting subject of Extreme Makeover: Golf Edition. This latest episode has me stepping even further out of my comfort zone with the True Linkswear Chukka – a golf shoe that looks like a normal cool shoe, has small nubs instead of spikes, and can only be worn with pants. Oh snap!

We are all aware by now that Adam and True Linkswear have been dating for a few months (the cheesy Facebook photos were a bit much), but I always figured the True Linkswear approach was not up to snuff for my aching feet. Simply put, True Linkswear goes with the super low-profile look . . . easy on the eyes but no way they would provide enough cushion and support for THIS GUY. My other “concern”, if it even registers on the worry scale, is that the small nubs would be inferior in some way to traditional soft spikes or more aggressive sole patterns. I’ll address these two items below:

1. The True Linkswear Chukka does NOT have as much support and cushion as my running shoe, of course, so I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I would go Xmas shopping in them. I would say they probably have a bit less cushion going on than other golf shoes that I’ve worn as well, but when it comes to this comparison, I think everyone would notice the difference but only my high-maintenance dogs would be bummed over it. What the Chukka does bring to the table in terms of feel, however, is kind of a laid-back casual vibe. I promise I’m not being seduced by looks here – the shoe simply does not feel as tight as any other golf shoe, no matter how hard you pull on the laces. It’s a wide sole, the sides are not as structured, and overall they make you feel like you’re gonna go play 18 in the Dominican Republic with Jason Dufner and Tommy Chong. Or shoot, maybe you’ll play 12 and get distracted, or 27 . . . who cares, you’re stoned.

So the dork in me did have some overall concerns when rocking the Chukkas on my first official round. It was winter, I hadn’t played much, the course was sweet – it was no time to mess around with comfort issues. What I noticed immediately is that the low-profile aspect of the Chukkas provides a really cool “feel the earth” deal, which is something Adam had alluded to during his courtship. It took about 2 holes for me to realize the genius of this concept. What I once saw as a drawback – the fact that there wasn’t enough protection between me and my living room hardwood – suddenly became a positive. Grass and dirt are generally soft, and hopefully that’s what you spend most of your time on during a round. So now I’m walking around on little green pillows, feeling laid back, wondering if Tommy Chong plays golf.

2. I’ll keep this brief. The nubs are fine! I’m convinced that as long as you don’t wear loafers or spray PAM on your soles, you’re going to get enough grip out of any damn shoe you wear on the course. I think the whole “grip” thing is not unlike the great dandruff scare of the 1980’s. Sure, use Head & Shoulders if it makes you feel better (it certainly doesn’t make you smell better), but c’mon, there’s no such thing as dandruff. So let the record show, this is the last sentence I will ever write about golf shoe spikes/nubs/traction. It’s a non-issue as long as some company doesn’t haul out Teflon soles.

Nuuuubbbbbbs.

You might disagree, but I’m thinking these suckers can only be worn with pants. So what I’ve stumbled into is my “winter shoe”, which is so pretentious I will have to go for a brisk walk on the nearest driving range after I finish this post. In fact, I think my dad just punched me in the face from 8 states away. Nevertheless, when the weather calls for pants, I will be sporting the True Linkswear Chukka. The feel is unique, cool, and I’m hoping the laid-back karma will creep into my swing tempo as well.

You can see the whole line of True Linkswear on their website.

Rock Solid. This is how I would describe the Nike Lunar Control golf shoes. They are not barefoot, street, retro or progressive, but they are also not boring or traditionalist. I think they basically split the difference right down the middle and fall into the category of damn fine golf shoes.

Since I have mostly given up spiked golf shoes except for when I do a review, I tend to approach the situation with some negative bias. However, in the case of the Lunar Control, I have kind of fallen in love with them. The support is awesome, they are super light, and while they are not minimalist, they do not seem bulky or raised far above the ground. What I really noticed is that I never notice them which is a pretty good indicator of how comfortable they are.

Admittedly, I have a tendency to bash the big brands mostly because I root for the little guy, but the reality is that Nike knows a thing or two about making shoes. Lets face it, the swoosh is worn by nearly all of the greatest athletes in the world so it is no shocker that the the Lunar Control can be seen any given Sunday on the feet of a ton of PGA players.

Style wise, the Nike Lunar Control is slightly athletic looking but also reasonably traditional (unless you get the red trimmed pair like I have). One of the accent colors you will notice on the shoe is the red lines that go across the middle and through the Nike logo. These are what is called “Flywire” and it is the source of the support. Essentially, it is the way Nike has been able to make the shoe super supportive without adding extra weight. Again, this is not their first rodeo.

One of the reasons I have gone away from cleats is that they tend to wear down way too quickly. Nike partially solved this problem by adding surrounding hard barriers which protects the removable cleats. Basically, you get additional traction and increased lifespan on the removable spikes.

Over the past month or so I have worn the Lunar Control exclusively in part because it is still winter, cold and wet. Not only have I found them to be extremely comfortable but they are also 100% waterproof (and easy to clean). The sole is made of hard plastic which gives you a solid base, and while it does not have the flexibility of a street shoe, it is not overly stiff with some give in the toe area making it a very walker-friendly choice.

While I am sure to go back to my spikeless cleats more often in the summer, I expect the Lunar Control will be on a regular rotation. This pro level shoe is simply too good to keep on the shelf.

You can see this line of shoes on the Nike website.

TRUE Linkswear Proto Review: I don’t know about you, but I can only read how something is clearly “The Best” before I have to find out for myself. Muddling the matter further is our desire to put that prestigious label on every new widget that comes to market. Therefore, I was very excited to finally get my hands (or feet to be exact) in a pair of TRUE Linkswear shoes as they have widely been described as the most comfortable golf shoes available.

Interestingly, TRUE Linkswear has garnished a ton of praise with comparably little marketing. However, inside the world of golf, the shoes are widely considered by many players (most prominently Ryan Moore) and bloggers to be the premier golf shoe.

Not only does TRUE Linkswear market their brand differently, they just seem to think about shoes differently. Unlike many shoe companies, TRUE Linkswear does not promote added distance, shaved strokes, increased spin or game improvement. Instead, they are solely (pun intended) focused on two things: comfort and allowing the body to function naturally. And get this, they actually require their employees to play at least 18 holes of golf during the work week (umm, where do I send my application?). Beyond just being good employers, TRUE Linkswear uses this as a way to get constant feedback on how the shoes perform in the real world.

TRUE Linkswear Proto

My first impression when I opened up the box of Proto’s was “Wow, that’s a great looking shoe!” The entire design and concept is very appealing and I could instantly sense the high quality. As we all know, the casual sneaker look craze that was started a few years ago, thank you Freddie Couples, is still going strong and TRUE has done a remarkable job of capitalizing on this look. Where TRUE has exceeded everyone else by a mile, in my opinion, is comfort.

The only thing I was a little concerned about was the zero drop aspect of the shoe, but once I stuck my feet inside and started walking around in the Proto’s my worries were quickly erased.

As far as sizing goes, I spoke with a representative from TRUE and they told me that a good rule of thumb is that the TRUE’s run in sizes typical to what you would find in a FootJoy and about a half size larger than Adidas. Three Guys Blogger, Adam, who is a big TRUE fan, says he always orders his normal size or maybe a 1/2 size smaller. While the TRUE are a broad shoe, they do incorporate a memory foam heel which locks you in and prevents traditional slipping.

The very wide toe area did take a little time to get used to, but only because I’m tied into a very snug fitting running shoe every day at work. When I initially put the TRUE’s on my first thought was that it was way too big. Toes should not have that much freedom to move around. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The wider toe area allows your feet to be freer and move around more. It also gives you an amazing sense of balance, which I experienced immediately during my first practice session I had while wearing them.

A great practice session is always a good thing, and the TRUE Proto’s were fantastic, but I couldn’t wait to get out on the course to see how they handled real playing situations. As a golfer who has ALWAYS worn spikes this was going to be my first time ever playing in a shoe that was free of the twist-in spikes. Naturally I was a little apprehensive that my footing was going to be an issue, but not once did I find myself out of position, slipping or off balance on a downswing or a follow through. Sand, grass, rocks, mud – you name it – I found myself in some pretty sticky situations throughout the day, I even had to climb up the side of a dirt hill to track down a ball. The Proto’s were by far the best part of my game that day and my feet thanked me later on that night by not aching one bit. 18 holes on a tough desert course and I felt fantastic. That’s how a shoe should treat you.

The Proto’s I received came in White/Grey/Black. Other color combinations like White/Kelly/Charcoal, Black/Charcoal/Red, Black/Electric Blue and Brown/Sand/White gives the line some great versatlity. The Proto is a waterproof shoe that cleans up very nicely. A simple wipe down with a damp cloth post round then let them air dry and they’ll be good to go for your next outing. You might be more paranoid than I am about keeping your kicks clean and if that’s the case you can always add some leather conditioner to the shoe, but in my opinion it’s not a necessity.

Seeing as I have very limited experience with spike-less minimal shoes I can without a doubt say that the bar has now been set very high for me. The TRUE Proto’s have fantastic styling, amazing comfort and are now on top of my list for a must have golf shoes.

You can see the full line of products from TRUE Linkswear on their site.

It has been nearly a year since I have worn a spiked golf shoe so I was in for a bit of culture shock (or foot shock) the first time I put on the new Adizero. One of the first things you notice about this golf shoe is that it sits up pretty high (at least on firm cement) which is completely different to the low to the ground shoes I have become accustomed to. However, unlike most spiked shoes, the Adizeros are crazy light which is pretty much what the name implies. In fact, they are only 3.2 ounces which is lighter than two apples or one can of warm beer I forgot to take out of my bag last fall.

As for the grip, I have gone on record stating that most amateurs really don’t need much more traction than what is afforded by simple treaded golf shoes, but there is no doubt the Adizero have an insane about of grip (and to be fair, my swing speed is half of Dustin Johnson’s). The ten spikes firmly plant you on any surface and the shoes do not feel as high when on actual turf. So in the end there is no doubt additional grip is a benefit when you play on soft turf or if you really like to push off of the ground with force.

The other real technology that Adidas has put into the shoes is the structure. Both the toes and the heel section of the shoe is amazingly well molded to your foot so you have basically zero lateral shift inside them. The idea being that they wanted the shoe to mirror your foot as close as possible. While I was concerned that they would be too narrow for me, I found no discomfort at all. Instead, they have super padding and make for a perfect shoe to walk 18 in (or 36).  Additionally, I did not have any break in period as they were ready to go out of the box.

So when you say 3.2 ounces, or 2 apples, it’s still hard to know what that means. As a reference point, when you hold up one Adizero and one “generic golf shoe” it is instantly clear which one is much much lighter. You can even perform this test with a “minimalist shoe” and surprisingly the Adizero is about the same weight even though it looks much more substantial.

While it took me 2 or 3 rounds to get used to the feel of the Adizero, I have actually become quite fond of them. The additional traction is welcomed in the winter when the ground is soft and the shoe is waterproof so wet conditions are not an issue. And while they are white, the leather is easily wiped clean with a damp rag.

From a style standpoint, they are completly different from the shoes I typically choose to wear but I get really positive comments from my weekend golf group who acts as my unknowing “public opinion focus group”

Really the only knock I have on these shoes are 1) the laces are a bit too long and tend to loosen up. I am not sure if they are just made from a slick material but I almost wanted to double knot them. 2) they are pricey. This is the Adidas Pro line so they currently run about $180.00, which definitely put them near the top end of the pay scale.

With that said, if you like a spiked shoe with tons of support but do not want the weight of your traditional shoe, then the Adizero fits the bill.

Note on sizing: I typically wear a size 12 and the Adizero size 12 was a perfect fit.

You can see more about the Adizero on their website.

Nike Lunar Bandon Review: There are two kinds of golfers, those who believe it is a game only to be played under sunny skies and mild temperatures and those for whom the game is not contained by the elements. If you are like me and will not let a little cold or rain get in the way of 18 holes then you know the importance to proper footwear.

The Nike Lunar Bandon golf shoes are like nothing I have ever seen before. Beyond the fact that they are high tops, they also have outer skin which completely seals off any chance of moisture getting inside the shoe. I have literally immersed the Lunar Brandon in 3 inches of water with nary an issue.

Sure , the Lunar Bandon might be overkill for the light drizzle, but beyond a heavy rain, the lunar Brandon are amazing for winter golf when it is just plain cold, muddy and generally nasty. Let’s face it, no one likes to wear their nice golf shoes out in the rain and mud. With the Lunar Bandon, you feel like a kid looking for puddles to jump in. Heck, you can hose these shoes off when you are done with your round.

The basic construction of the shoe is based around solid rubber and neoprene shell that makes them all but totally waterproof. The sole has the required hardcore cleats that are built to handle wet unstable ground. While they are not replaceable cleats, they are solid enough to last a long long time.

Obviously, these shoes are heavier than most but I suppose that is a neccessary trade-off. With that said, I have walked 18 holes a number of times in the Lunar Bandon and I would classify them as very comfortable albeit substantial. In short, not a shoe you want to wear every day, but one that you will be very happy to have in foul weather.

So as we head into the winter months, give your summer shoes a break from the muck and put these puppies to the test. You may jack a 95 but you will return with warm dry feet (so you will have that going for you).

You can visit the Nike website here.

This spring I had my first exposure to the True Linkswear when I reviewed the PHX model. Being my first foray into barefoot shoes, I was immediatly struck by how light they were and how connected to the ground I felt. The only real downside for me was that they were solid white and they tended to “flop” a little when I walked. With the release of the new True Linkswear Sensei, I believe they may have created a shoe for the masses.

Imagine if you removed all of the branding from a bunch of golf shoes. How many of them could you actually tell apart? On the other hand, I garuantee anyone who has ever heard of True Linkswear would be able to pick them out of any shoe lineup – they are just that unique looking. However, this also means that if you don’t like the style, you are out of luck. So while the Sensei still has a True look, it is significantly toned down such that I believe the appeal is much wider (perhaps because the toe box is much narrower).

I walked four consequetive days in these shoes (yes I have a job, kinda). Still that is nothing compared to company President, Rob Rigg who ran an entire marathon in the Sensei shoes. So while I have no intentions of ever dashing more than 50 yards, I do appreciate the dedication to the product and it really is a testament to how versatile the shoe is. Back to reality, walking 18 is a pleasure in the Sensei. Even compared to other street shoes, the Sensei is far lighter than nearly any shoe on the market. With this new model moving to mesh rather than leather, the weight seems to have been reduced even more, plus they breathe. I literally can feel the wind blow through them.

Turning the shoe over, you will notice that the Sensei has a beefed up sole. They have added a larger outer ring to the bottom which will protect the cleats better and add addtional traction. Not that traction has every really been an issue for the True line, but since the spikes are non-replaceable, this design improvement seems to be a good move.

The only real downside to this shoe is that because your feet are so close to the ground they are not a great choice for winter as you will feel the cold through the sole. On the flip side they are a great summer shoe since they breath so well. I also wish they were waterproof but again I see this as a summer shoe where dew is not much of a issue.

Finally in terms of sizing, the Sensei run a hair big. I wear a 12 in nearly every shoes and I while I am happy with a 12, I could go a 1/2 size smaller with no problem.

The True Linkswear Sensei still may not be for everyone but I expect a lot more people to give them a try and for good reason. They are just insanely comfortable and also very good looking. Moreover, the price point is $99 which puts them significantly below the Tour edition or many of the other high-end street shoes.

You can see the whole line of True Linkswear on their website.

This summer I had the opportunity to go to my first PGA Expo. While it’s a blast to check out all of the big brands, it’s just as fun to see the up and coming companies. Along with the aisle of gadgets, there are a number of small companies who are putting a twist on established products. One such example is a new line of shoes called “A Game”.

Ed Coleman is the man behind the A Game shoes and has been working very hard to get noticed in this very crowded space. Be it working at home out here in the Las Vegas valley or flying half way around the world to meet with manufactures, he is completely dedicated to selling a shoe that’s not only a quality golf shoe but one that also offers features I have never seen.

It’s called “Brisole”. Ed, in a very crafty way, came up with this very unique concept. Basically, he has included a club cleaning feature on the outer toe-edge of each shoe in his line. These little “bristles” give the player a new and quick way to clean a club while out on the course. I asked Mr. Coleman what the lifespan of the bristles were and he insured me that they would last longer than the shoe and if not he’d replace the shoe. That’s confidence. Another feature in the design is two alignment aides to the top of each shoe above your toes. Because the alignment aides are a design feature they are legal and can be worn without fear of breaking any rules.

I’ve played a number of rounds in the Signature Black A Game shoe and also have worn them while practicing. While not earth shatteringly more comfortable or better made than other traditional golf shoes, I have found them to be extremely sturdy, balanced and well made. What makes the A Game shoes unique, besides the Brisole and alignment aides, is the branding and squared toes. It’s hard to put your finger on it, but the A Game just look different than the big name shoes (in a good way).

So whether it be a standard golf shoe or slip-on sandal, A Game is pushing the envelope in golf shoe style. For me, when I look at the A Game shoe I just get the sense that “I’ve never seen anything quite like this before.” The A Game designs are as unique as his patented technology. Available in men’s and women’s sizes the A Game shoe is a clear alternative option if you’re looking for more than just spikes on the bottom of your golf shoes.

You can visit the A Game website to see all of the styles.

Barefoot B.E.R.B.S Review: We all know there’s been an onslaught of new style golf shoes to hit the market over the past several years and frankly the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. New designs from the major manufactures and upstart companies encompassing all facets of shoe development are arriving at your local golf retailer what seems like daily. It makes the choice and decision to purchase some new shoes that much more difficult.

New to the game is Barefoot B.E.R.B.S. (B.etter E.nergy R.ecovery B.alance S.tability) who have taken the small market ideology of barefoot running and applied it to the game of golf.

When I first started reading about the B.E.R.B.S. my first thought that came to mind was an appearance by Sean Foley on “The Golf Fix” where he talked about having some of his pupils perform some drills barefoot. At the time I thought that was silly. I’ve always been taught play how you practice and practice how you play and I can’t recall anytime that I’ve been shoeless while on the course. Despite my doubt, I was willing to give the Barefoot BERBS a try and see if this new Barefoot Technology for golf is all it’s cracked up to be.

To make matters more interesting, not only are these shoes unlike anything I have worn, but they also come with instructions. Yup, when I opened the box I was presented with these tips for breaking in the Barefoot BERBS. Basically, because of the design, you will be using new muscles which requires a bit of time to get used to.

What? I shouldn’t wear my Kentwools? As much as a love to follow directions, I just can’t justify my feet to not being surrounded by some Kentwool socks when I’m playing golf. So, other than the lightweight sock suggestion I took into consideration everything else they mentioned and actually wore the shoes (without the spikes) around the house while I knocked out my honey-do list. I even changed out a water valve in one of my toilets while wearing them. If that’s not the ultimate test for a golf shoe I don’t know what is!

Their claims of a lightweight golf shoe are no joke. The B.E.R.B.S. shoes are SUPER light. Honestly I was very surprised at how great the shoes felt once I put them on. Made out of Full-Grain Leather and very waterproof the design concept of the shoe is great. The shoes do not have any laces (there are two Velcro straps, one across the top and a second around your heel that hold the shoe in place) and the word “slipper” instantly jumps into your head when you look down on at your feet. Without a doubt you can very easily slip in and slip out of the BERBS., but by no means are these slippers.

After a few hours with the shoes on my feet I started to understand the reasoning for the disclaimer. I was feeling a little discomfort it in my calfs the most, but also in my feet. Not being used to having this type of structure did take some time for my legs to adjust to but in time the subtle discomfort passed and the shoes felt wonderful. In fact, I ended up wearing them the entire day!

When reviewing a golf shoe I think the most important aspect to pass on to the reader is the comfort and feel of the shoe and this is where Barefoot B.E.R.B.S. knocks it out of the park. Their shoe is amazingly comfortable for barefoot style shoe; it’s incredibly light and in no way is it a nuisance to your game. I purposely walked over some pretty aggressive hillsides, splashed around a few deeper than normal water puddles and hit a couple of shots from some very unfavorable stances (not on purpose) and the shoes didn’t disappoint one bit! Even in those extreme conditions. After playing I thought for sure I was going to experience some sort of leg discomfort but that wasn’t the case. The shoes performed flawlessly and my feet felt great.

The idea of being lower to the ground and having a more solid base is appealing, but does it make a difference? I think so. I found in playing a few rounds in the shoes and using them frequently to practice that my balance has shown some improvement. I find myself not being as fidgety with my feet and my lower half has quieted down some as well. I’m not sure how scientific that is but it has me thinking.

The only issue I have with the Barefoot B.E.R.B.S. is its look. The fact is you either like a shoes look or you don’t. While I don’t hate the style, I guess I tend to gravitate  toward a more traditional shoe. With that said, I have found myself practicing more with the B.E.R.B.S. than with my everyday Adidas which I think is a testament to their performance.

Barefoot B.E.R.B.S. comes in three different varieties for men and for women (the version I wore is called the Polar Bear). There is a ton of information about the scientific benefits of barefoot running on their website so if you’re at all interested in the science behind barefoot running and the B.E.R.B.S. I recommend you check it out.

You can learn more about Barefoot BERBS and purchase them on their website.

Nike Air Range WP II Review: Stickler for rules I am, but I guess that’s what you get after four years in the Navy. So when it comes to my set of clubs I carry no “foot wedge” nor do I have a pocket full of mulligans. However, I fear that while my old school nature has kept me from a rash of bad decisions (like wearing all orange to a PGA event), it has also hindered me from taking advantage of the new golf shoe trends. You see, I have been a traditional golf shoe guy for as long as I can remember.

Not only am I a traditionalist but I am also a cheap SOB which is perhaps my real excuse for not diving into the athletic golf shoe craze. Heck, my golf shoes last forever, so why would I ever need to expand my horizons. In the end, I acquiesced and signed up to test the new Nike Air Range WP II. Not one to rush in, I broke in the Nike Air Range WP around my house for a good 4 hours prior to considering taking them out for real. Slippers, I tell you, these puppies are super light, and other than the fact they have spikes, I would never be able to tell them apart from my running shoes. Ahh, but no one ever hit a driver in their living room (well not without first opening the screen door).

Up at 6am, ugh. Three days ago a 7am tee time sounded great but now with barely 4 hours of sleep, I was rethinking that decision. Yea, it had been a particularly brutal evening, but the job required me to test drive the Nike Air, and like any good soldier, I was not going to shirk my duties.

Since this was my first experience with a running type golf shoe, what struck me most was the feeling of being connected to the ground. I guess I had never really thought about the ground before, but now I almost had the sense that the shoe forced me to consider my stance and sense of balance (or lack thereof in my case).

Unfortunately, it was not only brutally early, it was also wet – apparently I was going to be thoroughly punished for my prior evening sins. Fear not, the Nike Air Range WP II comes with a two year limited waterproof guarantee. If only I could get someone guarantee the pesky yips would not keep sneaking into my game.

You may have noticed that the Nike Air Range WP has a mix of traditional spike shape and more progressive cleats. My guess is that Nike realized that the inner toe and outer heal tend to wear quicker and by putting the larger spikes in these areas the shoes life could be extended. NOTE: all spikes are molded and not replaceable.

After 4 hours 18 holes, 6 Tylenol, 3 chunks and a couple of explicatives, I carded a 92. Not my best round, but considering my head was still a bit fuzzy, I can live with it – plus my feet were dry and cozy. I finally get why it seems like the days of the big traditional golf shoes are numbered. While I am not ready to ditch my 10 year old Bostonians, I am gonna toss my old golf shoes in favor of the Nike Air Range WP II. One note on sizing, Nike runs a bit narrow and small so I would go with a 1/2 size larger. And there you have it, the Nike Air Range WP II is a winner and will run you about $100.

You can see all of the Nike Golf shoes on their website.

Ashworth Cardiff Review: Here at Three Guys Golf, we are fortunate enough to get to try out and review lots of golf shoes. Since I primarily walk when I play golf and because I suffered a herniated disc, footwear is super important to me.

I must admit that I was a bit behind the movement to the “street shoes” that do not have traditional spikes. So after my back trouble I was of the opinion that I was going to have to sacrifice traction for comfort since I could no longer wear my old golf shoes without additional back pain. While my back would be happy for me to play in simple running shoes, the fact is that proper grip is not only important for the golf swing but also to simply gain traction while navigating the contours of the course.

When I saw the Ashworth Cardiff golf shoes, they reminded me of some of the other street shoes we have reviewed recently. However, one big difference with the Ashworth Cardiff golf shoes is that they come with a 2-year waterproof guarantee. When you play in the morning with heavy dew or in wet conditions, this is a real advantage. Besides keeping my feet dry, the Ashworth Cardiff shoes are extremely comfortable and well made. Plus, they look really cool. The white square on the heel is one feature in particular that sets them apart in terms of style.

In terms of walking, standing, and hitting balls, these have become my favorite of the shoes I’ve tried so far. You can see from the photos that the Cardiffs look a bit like a low profile ‘boat’ shoe with a ‘white wall’ around the outside of the base. The soft leather uppers are pliable and yet not sloshy or flimsy. Turning over the shoe, there are a couple of nice details. The sole is designed so that the cleats at the very front and the rear of the sole are smaller that the ones more in the ‘middle’ of the sole, such that they keep the ends of the shoe from wearing down as quickly during a ‘normal’ stride where the heel and toe tend to get the most rub on any hard surfaces.

When hitting balls, the Ashworth Cardiff cleats do a great job of grabbing the ground, and they feel very solid when walking down slick, wet embankments. While the nubs are fairly small, there are enough of them to provide ample grip and I never feel like I had any individual spikes putting pressure on my foot– like I do with many traditional shoes.

On the PGA tour you will now find Justin Rose wearing the Ashworth Cardiff golf shoes. Judging from his performance I am pretty sure he is not having any issues with grip, and if he’s like me, his knees and his hips are thanking him at the end of a long day of walking.

If you are still on the fence about moving to a street shoe, the Ashworth Cardiff golf shoes are a great entry point. I think you’ll really be impressed with how comfortable they are, and how much game is under the hood.

The Ashworth Cardiff run about $120. You can see all of the styles on their website.

Adidas Puremotion and Crossflex Review: Anyone checked out the shoe section of a local golf store lately? It’s insane. What was once 1 standard wall of Foot Joys, Etonics and Nikes has exploded into a – well, a big-ass section full of all kinds of styles, colors, etc.  The Three Guys have already made it clear that we are fans of this movement – finally the footwear is catching up to the rest of golf attire by shaking things up a bit. And as golf continues to get hip to what the rest of the footwear world is up to, it is only a matter of time until the newest advances in running shoe and cross-trainer technology make their way into our golf kicks.

According to Adidas, that time is now, as they roll out their Puremotion and Crossflex models. The Adidas Puremotion incorporates the same “natural motion” concept that you’ll see in a lot of cutting edge running shoes – basically, the idea is that the more a shoe allows your foot to behave as though you are barefoot, the better off you are, as your toes and natural foot contours can help out with balance, force, etc. The Adidas Crossflex is more like a proper running shoe, but a super-lightweight version that allows for more connection with the turf than the standard golf shoe-and Sergio Garcia is now wearing the Crossflex.

Very good. Once I understood all the science, I had to give the Adidas Puremotions a try. From a looks standpoint, they were right up my alley – I like a little funk, but I also want to look like I’m playing a sport, not plotting my next graffiti mission. The Puremotions are athletic at heart with some disco thrown in – primarily with the bright blue color but also utilizing some neat little trim touches to funk things up.

Once I put the Puremotions on I knew Adidas had a winner. They are just flat-out comfortable – they seem to be a bit wider, which works out great for my dogs. Even the toe area is squared off a bit, retaining that width all the way to the end of the shoe, as opposed to coming down to a point (whose foot does that anyway?).

The Adidas Puremotions are spikeless, instead utilizing hard rubber ridges (for lack of a better term) on the sole to provide grip. I recently indicated a curmudgeonly skepticism towards anything other than spikes on golf shoes, but these suckers have made me a believer. These soles feel so legit that, for the first three rounds I played in them, I kept worrying that I was leaving marks on the greens just based on a nagging feeling that I was sinking in and causing some kind of damage. That sounds cheesy, but I’m serious. Oh, and something my playing partners would point out at least once during a round as I posed off another velvety pull-hook – these things look crazy!

“Sir, we think Bigfoot has been in the bunker on 8.”

More on the soles – the truth is, I wouldn’t be able to survive in shoes that really made me feel like I was barefoot. I have plantar fasciitis so bad that I can only do barefoot for about half an omelette in the morning before the running shoes have to go on. So I can see how Adidas is shooting for the natural foot concept by allowing room for the toes to move, having different channels on the sole for each toe, etc., but ultimately it’s actually a very substantial sole that provides a good amount of support. Now, there are some shoes on the market that hype the “you can feel the contours of the earth”, and while the Adidas Crossflex are low profile, the ony word I can think of for these soles is “substantial” – on the ground side the ridges feel hard and durable while the human side provides support and what I believe to be a ton of stability.

Moving on – these suckers are waterproof. The fact that they say so on the side of the shoe is my only bone of contention with Adidas on this one (seems a bit much), but I have played several rounds in wet conditions and they have certainly lived up to their own billing. The uppers are made of breathable mesh, so they’ve got that going for them, which is nice, but not something I ever really notice one way or the other.

“Excuse me, sir, are these waterproof?”

Bottom line review- I have several pairs of nice shoes now, and conventional wisdom tells me to mix things up from round to round. Once I got the Puremotions, however, they’ve been the only shoes I’ve worn for all subsequent rounds, including a 36 hole tournament. I figure, why wear anything but the best, right?

You can check out the whole line of Adidas shoes on their website.

Over the past 6 months I have worn about 7 pairs of golf shoes. Some I really like, some I kinda like. So when I had the opportunity to finally test out the Ecco Street Premiere shoes I was eager to see how they stacked up against the competition. Let me be clear, I am an unabashed Ecco fan. Over the past years I have purchased four pairs of Ecco golf shoes and to this day I cannot bring myself to get rid of a single pair of them, despite the fact I have more shoes than I know what to do with. Basically, I just think that Ecco not only “gets it” but they have the technology to back it up.

I still remember the first time I saw the Ecco Street shoes. It was during the Masters a few years ago when Fred Couples was in contention so the TV was regularly showing him strolling down the fairways of Augusta National in his Ecco’s san socks. Like other golf geeks I actually Googled “what kind of shoes does Fred Couples wear?” . . . they were just so cool and so unique. Now of course, everyone and their brother thinks they can make a street shoe – there are some good ones out there, but there is also some junk. In my mind Ecco still represents best of breed in the street shoe department in part because they are not only focused on design, but equally involved in developing new materials and improving ergonomics.

What do I love about the Ecco Street shoes? Well we can start with the style which is simply classic cool. They are not “hopped up on hip”, but still stand out from the pack. For me it is the little things that make the difference. Whether it the orange laces, raised orange nubs or the fact that the seams are clean and straight, Ecco shoes are easily recognized and always admired.

On the sole you have tons of spikes which provide ample grip and will not wear down like some of the other “alt shoes”. So sturdy are these spikes that I really don’t even try to avoid the pavement. And they are so comfortable, I often forget to take them off after returning from a round of golf. Oh, and I never have to change shoes on my bumper.

Sure, other street shoes can go from the house to the course and back, but the Ecco Street Premiere can actually serve as a regular shoe and I have heard from many an Ecco fan who say they wear them all of the time. Really the only downside for me is that they are not water-proof which makes them impractical for morning rounds when there is heavy dew. Other than that they are a perfect warm weather shoes and despite the fact they are leather, they do no feel hot.

So yes, my expectations were absolutely met by Ecco. While they are a bit pricey, $150, you will be hard pressed to find a better street shoe (unless it is the new Ecco Biom Hybrid shoe).

You can see the whole line of Ecco Golf shoes on their website.