| Today's golf shoes have gone high-tech. Thanks to | | | | absorption are additional areas where manufacturers |
| innovative manufacturers modern golf shoe offers | | | | have gone high-tech. No longer is a simple footbed or |
| more options than they've ever had. These | | | | leather treatment the key to comfort. Today, |
| manufacturers have invested millions to improve their | | | | complex membranes and materials not only to |
| shoes. And they've succeeded by reconciling factors | | | | increase comfort and keep water out, but also allow |
| like temperature control, shock absorption, and | | | | moisture from perspiration to evaporate. In addition, |
| traction in a comfortable shoe. Today's golf shoes | | | | these advancements keep one's feet warm in cool |
| look, feel, and perform better than ever. They also | | | | weather and cool in hot weather. Some |
| contribute more to lowering golf handicap than shoes | | | | manufacturers have even designed complete climate |
| in the past. After all, it's hard to play well if your feet | | | | control systems within their shoes. That's something |
| hurt. | | | | to look for when buying golf shoes, but beware the |
| Previously, the biggest advancement in golf shoes | | | | marketing hype. |
| involved switching from metal to plastic cleats. | | | | Playing conditions are a consideration, too. Almost |
| Spikeless shoes quickly found favor with golfers and | | | | every shoe manufacturer offers a shoe with |
| golf courses for many reasons. They're now the | | | | weatherproofing. But not all are alike. If you play a lot |
| shoes of choice golfers. Thus, the clickety-clack of | | | | in wet weather, look for a shoe with a two- or |
| metal spikes no longer echoes in golf course parking | | | | three-year weatherproofing guarantee. On the other |
| lots and clubhouses. With the traction problem solved, | | | | hand, if you play in extremely hot, dry conditions look |
| manufacturers turned their attention to performance. | | | | for a shoe with a lightweight, mesh upper. Or, look |
| Their efforts to address this issue have spurred | | | | for a shoe with breathable membranes. They allow |
| several high-tech shoe advancements. | | | | perspiration to pass through. If you like to walk the |
| Below are some golf tips on a subject that's not | | | | course, look for a shoe that's really comfortable. |
| often covered in golf lessons—buying shoes that | | | | Extending Shoe Life |
| fit your game: | | | | Since a good pair of golf shoes aren't cheap, you |
| Performance Drives Golfers | | | | want to make them last. If you buy a pair of shoes |
| While expensive shoes are nice, it's performance that | | | | with synthetic uppers, use a sponge and warm, |
| drives a golfer's choice of shoe. In a recent Darrell | | | | soapy water to clean them. Also, wipe them clean |
| Survey Consumer Report, 31.4 percent of the | | | | after use. If your shoes have leather uppers, clean |
| respondents said that "feel" was the most important | | | | them with a brush and coat them with polish or shoe |
| factor in golf shoes. Not surprisingly, fit came next. | | | | cream after each round. |
| Nearly 17 percent of the respondents choose it as a | | | | Proper shoe storage is a must. Don't throw them in |
| determining factor. Looks are important, too. Nearly | | | | the trunk after playing. Buy a pair of shoetrees and a |
| 12 percent of the respondents rated appearance as | | | | shoe bag and use them. They help remove excess |
| the most important factor. Interestingly, only 9.5 | | | | moisture from the shoe and maintain the shoe's |
| percent choose price as factor. | | | | shape. Lastly, limit wear as much as possible. Smart |
| Feel is subjective. So make sure you try the shoes | | | | players wear their shoes only on the course or when |
| on before buying them, just as you would with any | | | | taking golf lessons. Avoid pavement, parking lots, and |
| pair of shoes. Fit, on the other hand, is not | | | | cart paths. They can damage the outsole and the |
| subjective. The last, or sole, is the most important | | | | spike receptacles. |
| factor here. Not surprisingly, fit is influenced by your | | | | Golf clubs are the only things that have gone |
| foot's shape, so match the last to your foot's shape. | | | | high-tech. So have golf shoes. Since you may be |
| If your foot is wide in the ball, but narrow in the heel, | | | | spending as much as five to six hours in your shoes, |
| you need a different last than someone with a wide | | | | you want shoes that not only look good and are |
| heel and narrow ball. Some manufacturers offer a | | | | comfortable, but fit right and perform well. If you're |
| wider selection of lasts than other manufacturers. | | | | serious about lowering your golf-handicap, you need |
| Look for these manufacturers. | | | | to have the right equipment. Golf shoes are a key |
| Additional Golf Tips On Shoes | | | | component of that equipment. |
| Climate control, weatherproofing, and shock | | | | |