The biggest evolution in golf footwear over the last decade is probably the fact that you don’t have to look like you could wear a business suit with your shoes and not stand out at work.

Golfers have fought for years to prove that they are athletes and they finally have the kind of footwear that proves it. More comfort, more support for the swing and more pizazz is definitely the trend in golf shoes in the 2000’s. That doesn’t mean golf manufacturers have quit making saddle shoes or wing tips, but it sure is nice guys and gals now have a say in how they look on the links.

Let’s be honest, with top swing speeds around 120 miles per hour, tour players require a shoe with strength and a strong base. A “spin-out” before impact is disastrous when guys go after the ball this hard.

Nike was a footwear company long before a golf manufacturer. That’s how they made their chops. For 2016, the company has introduced the Nike Lunar Control 4. While many proprietary technologies sound and may be gimmicky, Nike’s “flywire” technology provides proven lateral support in the mid-foot. Nike’s development of shoes for all different kinds of athletes probably gives them a natural advantage in this area. Nike player Rory McIlroy was reportedly very involved with the latest version of Nike’s top golf shoe. The Lunar Control is available in three different colors and became available at retailers in December 2015. It’s also available at Nike.com for $170.00. And, by the way, the Lunar Control 4 was on the feet of Rory McIlroy during his debut at Abu Dhabi in January.

Adidas, another athletic shoe company before it made golf equipment, is also right in the mix with their new Tour 360 Boost. Testers love this shoes’ comfort. A full length cushion is available in the shoe that features Adidas’ BOOST foam technology – a product developed for the company’s fine line of running shoes. This year’s BOOST features a full-length outsole instead of previous year’s two-piece outsoles. Adidas has provided a full leather upper, adding durability and comfort to this shoe. The Tour 360 series has been welcomed in the winner’s circle 38 times on the PGA Tour since its debut in 2006. The Tour 360 Boost came out in January and retails for $200.

For golfers who prefer more of the traditional look, FootJoy has introduced the ICON Black series of shoes that retail in the mid-$300 range. With premium soft leather, FootJoy guarantees this shoe will be water-proof for two years. Memory foam adds to comfort and custom fit. Equipped with Pulsar cleats by Softspikes®, which FootJoy states is the #1 supplier of soft spikes in the industry, the ICON Blacks provide plenty of grip in dry and wet conditions and from any hazard you may have the misfortune to find yourself in. And yes, the ICONs are a damn good looking shoe. Jason Duffner and Jimmy Walker will be sporting the ICON Blacks during the 2016 PGA Tour.

Puma has rolled out the TitanTour Ignite for the 2016 calendar. Ignite is Puma’s proprietary foam designed for comfort, control and energy return. These shoes are incredibly light thanks to a thermoplastic polyurethane outer cover. Puma’s PWR® insole controls temperature, increasing comfort for players on even the hottest days. These shoes retail at cobragolf.com for $160.
For weekend players looking for a very comfortable, very athletic shoe, it is hard to beat Adidas ClimaCool golf shoes. These shoes are feather light, flexible and provide decent grip in fair conditions.

They should retail below $80 and you can wear them to the bar or a movie after your round and fit right in.