Equipment Walk and Putt in Style

Golf Shoes – Comfort, Support, Traction, and Style

By ED TRAVIS

The shoes we wear are critical to enjoying a round of golf. They need to provide comfort, support, and traction but there’s no reason why they can’t look good at the same time and with a touch of style too. Here are some of the latest models on the market we like and think you will as well.

Adidas ZG21

Here’s a lightweight cleated shoe with a stylish low profile and waterproof upper of Adidas’ Sprintskin synthetic that has 20% of the pieces made from at least 50% recycled materials. The midsole is lightweight and with the laced closure provides lots of rotational support. Another significant feature is the six-cleat Thintech outsole made of thermoplastic polyurethane. Four color combinations are available at $179.99 pair.

ASICS Gel-Course ACE

Asics through Srixon Golf offers golf shoes for men and women featuring lightweight flexibility and lots of comfort with gel padding in the heel and foam in the midsole. The upper is waterproof and the outsole has a molded spike pattern that provides traction no matter the course conditions. Women’s color choices: glacier grey/pink cameo or white/pure silver. Men’s colors white, white/pure silver or graphite grey. $149.99.

Cuater The Moneymaker

Cuater is the TravisMathew shoe brand, and we really like their models. The spikeless Moneymaker has “SweetSpot Cushioning,” a layered design to give support and comfort for even the longest rounds. They are waterproof of course and there’s an ultralight foam midsole. $159.95 per pair and they offer a choice of five colors: Black, Heather Mood Indigo, Heather Microchip and Heather Grey Pinstripe.

Duca del Cosma Esti

This stylish lady’s shoe is fun with a bit of whimsy from the dotted print upper to the “love” strap and tee to the big number “4”. Crafted from Nappa leather comfort and support are built in with a breathable bootie and leather covered memory foam insole. Duca’s logo typed outsole provides enough traction for even the most vigorous swings. Choose from white/red and aqua/white color combinations. $219

Ecco BIOM Hybrid 4

This update of the Hybrid 3 has a new outsole design with extraordinary support for a consistent grip of the turf and Ecco’s popular BIOM anatomical-last technology. The shoe is made from full grain leather, the waterproofing is 100% Gore-Tex and the Ortholite insole may be removed for washing. Stability is enhanced by the sole unit being linked to the laces. Choice of Silver/Gray, White or Black. $199.99 per pair.

FootJoy Hyperflex Yarn BOA

The BOA feature, made of Hot Melt yarns, seems to help mold the shoe to your foot and with a rounded toe box, standard forefoot and instep sizing plus a slightly narrower heel the fit of this Hyperflex model ensures comfort. The midsole is made of a new material, StratoFoam for added cushioning while the outsole has Softspike cleats. Three color combinations Midnight Blue, Charcoal/Gray/White and Black/Charcoal/ Silver. $179.99

G/Fore MG4+

This sophisticated shoe has a waterproof upper of course and is a great combination of lightweight comfort and performance using the latest high-tech features such as a molded external heel cup with removable and washable insoles and small nubs on the footbed allowing cooling airflow while the nubs massage your feet. Three choices of colors offered: Raspberry, Nimbus or Twilight at $225 per pair.

LINKSOUL x TRUE Lux Knit

A knit sneaker that’s waterproof provides the perfect combination of comfort, performance and looks. Using TRUE’s proprietary tread design the grip-toweight ratio is ideal for those wanting lightweight all-around traction. Custom artwork on the Lux Knit is by Linksoul’s Geoffrey Cunningham and each pair comes in a Lux shoe bag that can double as a shag bag. The color is called Shadow and the price is $189 per pair.

Puma Ignite Fasten8

Puma’s PWRStrap fit system offers outstanding midfoot support having the laces integrated with the shoe’s internal webbing. The upper is a combination of knit mesh and thermoplastic polyurethane giving both breathability and a one-year waterproof warranty while the spikeless outsole is engineered offers lots of grip and traction for any swing. Choose from six color combinations each priced at $119.99.

THE RIGHT PUTTER

By ED TRAVIS

One of the quickest ways to improve scoring, as the “master-of-the-obvious” said, is to make more putts. While you can work on improving your stroke sometimes it is better to try a new putter. The balance, weighting, and the look at address can easily rejuvenate your putting game…I should know. Just ask about any of the 40 or so putters in my garage.

To start you on your way, here are several new putter models that the California Golf staff like and we think are worth consideration.

Cleveland Golf Frontline

Frontline putters have an expanded lineup of seven head shapes and a choice of hosel types, but each features several important features. Head weight has been pushed forward close behind the face which means the center of gravity can give more stability and the face is designed to give consistent distance on each putt. Each model has their 2135 Technology for proper aiming with any address eye alignment. $200

Bloodline Vale

Vale is a standup putter allowing the user to stand behind and adjust the face for alignment on the proper line and the high-performance polymer head is shaped to frame the ball and target line. The nylon face insert is infused with tungsten and the ultralight carbon fiber shaft has an EVA grip. The balance point is low for better stability during the stroke.

$299 Bettinardi Studio Stock 18

A timeless head shape, the SS18 is milled from the 303 stainless steel and has Bettinardi’s all-new Roll Control face to get your ball into an end over end roll faster. There is a crowned topline and the entire head has a smooth Diamond Blast finish for confidence-building look at address. The SS18’s low profile body connects with a plumber’s neck hosel and has a 45° toe hang. $450

Evnroll ER2 Midbl

The ER2 Midblade is shorter than the previous model and weighted in the heel and toe with 22 degrees of toe-hang to help square the face at the ball. The single bend FST stepless shaft is attached directly to the 303 stainless steel head that is CNC milled. The finish of the head is a striking black-armour color providing a contrast for the wide flange and single line alignment aid. $370

Mizuno M Craft Type IV

Mizuno’s successful introduction of the M Craft line in 2020 has been followed by additional models this year. The Type IV is a large blade shape with medium toe-hang and a slant neck hosel. The head is forged from 1025 mild carbon steel then CNC milled with a finish weight of 355 grams to promote a smooth stroke. Three head finishes and optional sole weights for customization are available. $300

Odyssey 2-Ball Ten

The seven models in the Ten series include a version of the familiar 2-Ball head to provide precise aiming in this high MOI design. The Stroke Lab shaft, part carbon fiber and part steel, is a double bend and has been redesigned for added feel while the insert is Odyssey’s Microhinge Star construction. Weighting of the 2-Ball Ten is face-balanced for strokes with little face rotation. $300

Ping 2021 Anser

The classic Anser blade shape has been updated for 2021 and features tungsten weighting in both the heel and toe for added forgiveness when ball impact is slightly off center. Anser’s face insert has a soft front layer for short putts and a harder back layer for longer distances. The dark PVD finish if the head with single line alignment aid works best with strokes that have small amounts of arc. $250

Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5

The dual prong shape has a slant neck and designed to have a blade-like feel while retaining the advantages of mallet head. The face and body are milled from 303 stainless steel and mated with an aircraft aluminum sole plate that includes replaceable weights. This combination offers users customization for most any preference while increasing MOI and forgiveness. $430

TaylorMade Spider EX

The Spider remains a favorite among better players and the latest from TaylorMade, the EX, has been reengineered including a shaft that has a softer section 5 inches from the tip to increase feel and stability. The head has tungsten back weights and steel on the heel and toe locating the center of gravity deep in the mallet shape. The face insert has eight co-molded grooves and alignment is aided by two lines and three dots. $350