Spikeless Golf Shoes
Golf shoes have come a long way since the 19th century. In the game’s formative years, Scots who sought to achieve the all-important grip on the sod pounded nails into their boots. Nails first gave way to metal spikes, which in turn evolved into circular plastic cleats. Then, a dozen years ago, some footwear makers did away with spikes altogether in favor of a sole patterned with raised nodules. Today, improvements in tread technology allow spikeless shoes to deliver all the traction a golfer needs. The shoes pay off not only on the links, but in the clubhouse. They can pass for street shoes and won’t gouge floors, so you can easily move from course to restaurant or bar.
Eccos have long provided some of the most comfortable golf shoes on the market. Its Men’s Classic Hybrid (left, $220) is a spikeless model with a stately look that resembles a dress shoe. The cross-hatch pattern on the upper is a snazzy-looking plus. Like all Eccos, it’s made in one piece, bonding the upper with the sole without using glue or stitches, which maximizes durability.
The Puma Ignite Elevate ($130, foreground) is a lightweight shoe with an athletic look. The nubs on the sole look a bit like little coffins, but are designed to give you the solid grip on the ground that might revive your game. Foam in the midsole promotes energy return. The mesh top cuts down on weight and gives the shoe the look of a cross trainer.
Newcomer Payntr Golf offers another athletic model, the X005F ($180, rear right), with a sole of clear nodules made in a mix of shapes (triangles and graduated cylinders) to maximize traction. The brand, which began shipping only two years ago, has its roots in making equipment for cricket players, but has branched out to rave reviews. The shoes carry a “blister-free” warranty for comfort.
