23 DTGGolf / Summer 2015
its running and cross-training footwear, has entered the marketplace. Tom Elwell, Vice President of Sales for New Balance Golf, offered some interesting insights into today’s golf shoe.
“From a styling standpoint, since the Tiger Woods Era began in the mid-1990's, the game of golf has become more physical and athletic. Fashion and design trends have followed athleticism, with footwear and apparel products adapting more performance-oriented design and styling. These attributes are delivered through enhanced manufacturing techniques and state-of-the-art materials and technical fabrications.”
He told me that new manufacturing techniques, such as cement lasting, have replaced traditional welt construction, which has made golf shoes significantly lighter and more flexible, while retaining the stability characteristics required in a performance golf shoe. In addition, new outsole materials, like thermal plastic urethane, have made outsoles
lighter and more flexible than traditional leather, yet still very stable. New midsole materials, such as compression-molded
ethyl-vinyl-acetate, similar to the midsoles found in the world's best running shoes, increase cushioning and comfort and reduce weight.
Furuya took a look into his crystal golf ball for me and he saw a continued growth of integrated traction (spikeless) golf shoes.
“Technologies and materials in golf footwear will advance to evolve styling (form follows function). As golf transcends beyond the course and becomes a part of a lifestyle, golfers will rely on different shoes for specific occasions and conditions.”
It’s clear the golf shoe as we knew it has changed forever. And that is a very comforting feeling.
Golf Shoe transformations
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