Conference 7.286::golf

    
    dir/tit=shoe
    

    
      Well, 
    
      There is nothing in here about what to look for in a shoe,
    just maintenance and if there worth it and spiked or not.
    
      Is there any advice on what to look for in a shoe ??
    
                                     tom 

    One of the things I look for in a golf shoe is how comfortable it is. 
    If the shoe is not very comfortable when I try it on the first time,
    then I don't buy it.  The times I have bought shoes that seem a little
    stiff in the store, the shoes seem to remain stiff. Lately I've been
    getting the "soft" shoes vs. the ones that have a stiff, leather-like
    sole and a stiff upper part.
    
    I also try to get a shoe that is not very heavy, and uses the "lite"
    spikes, since I play at least twice a week and usually walk.  It makes
    a big difference in how tired I get when walking with a heavier golf shoe.
    
    I look at the seam between the sole and the upper part to see if it
    would easily separate after wear, and be susceptible to leaking.  It
    seams that the stiffer shoes seem to leak quicker/more often than the
    soft shoes.
    
    Lastly, I look at how easy it is to replace the spikes, since I usually
    replace mine about 3-4 times a year.  By the way, when you get your
    shoes, immediately take out the spikes and put some petroleum jelly on
    the threads.  This helps to keep the spikes from rusting solid.
    
    Hope this helps.
    Gary

    
      I saw some Etonic's ST7300. They appear to be very lite, I too
    walk, they felt very good on, but not knowing if this is truely 
    a good shoe I said "I'll wait and look some more". 
      I have yet to play when it's wet out, so I don't know how 
    important that will be. I'll check out the bottom's to see if there
    is a point that might crack (stress area). Most of the shoe's that
    i've seen have a very stiff sole compared to tennis shoe, is this 
    a feature or what ?
    
      Anyone have these Etonic's ST7300 ?
     

    For years I bought the shoes on sale...always white! Then I realized
    the reason they were on sale is BECAUSE they are white. Noone buys them
    because they are such a pain to maintain. They were also synthetic.
    
    I finally invested in a good pair of brown leather Foot Joys. They have
    outlasted the others at least 2 or 3 to 1. They aren't so difficult to
    maintain either. Since I bought them the "sneaker" type has become
    popular. I don't know anything about these, but they would seem to be
    practical. Has anyone had experience with these?
    
    Bob[Hoping to use mine EXTENSIVELY after Jume 1st!]

    Quality, comfort, and fit.  Then the special items, such as waterproof,
    etc. depending on your playing requirements.  My personal taste is to
    have three types of shoes - lightweight, sneaker type for when I am
    walking on a dry course, and classical leather soled, leather upper for
    cart golf, and finally, a synthetic for wet conditions(which I have not
    worn in 8 years).
    
    Concentration is one of the most important aspects of golf, and you can
    not concentrate easily when your feet hurt, are tired or uncomfortable. 
    Shoes are cheap if the game is important to you.
    
    Big Mac

    One other thing I forgot. DON'T buy corfam golf shoes if you plan to
    use them in the hot sun. They can be like putting your feet in an oven
    for four hours!
    
    Bob

    
       Thanks a lot everyone....
    
      

    
    I just bought a pair of the Etonic ST7700 at the beginning
    of this season and really like them.  They were the most
    comfortable pair when trying them on in the store.
    (I probably spent a hour just trying on different styles.)
    
    They're more like the sneaker type of shoe, have extra turf
    triangles?, and are supposed to be water resistant... 
    
    I look for comfortable fit, arch support, quality workmanship,
    and good looks in golf shoes.  They aren't cheap ($100 range)
    but I plan to get a few season out of them.
    
    JQ
    
    PS. Unfortunately, the new shoes haven't improved my golf score.

    I bought a relatively "good" pair of shoes last year and made a
    discovery. Previously, I had worn shoes that were sneaker type, or just
    soft shoes with spikes, and of course as with every beginner - sneakers
    themselves.
    
    What I discovered in buying the "good" shoes is that the desirable
    qualities, beyond what has been mentioned here, would include stiff
    soles for a stable platform from which to swing. Also, the shoes should
    come to more of a point (like Wingtips) as opposed to being rounded like 
    sneakers. This in combination with the stiff sole helps you shift your
    weight and get more into the ball. 
    
    Word of advice here. Like all things in golf, it's not the type of
    thing that'll get you ten less strokes. It may not get you one. But it
    helps.
    
    Dave

    
    re .10
    
    You've got totally opposite results from what I've experienced. I've
    got the sneaker type shoes. I've had the GOOD leather type shoes many
    times for the past 20 years of golf. The sneaker type is by far the
    best shoe for ME. I suppose if you don't walk, then the stiff leather
    shoe is good, but try talking 36 holes some day in them. I have, and
    believe me, it isn't a comfortable feeling.
    
    
    Mike

    re.10 and .11
    
    I agree with both of you but let me qualify this.
    
    Firstly, I have both types of shoes and wear them for different
    reasons.  The sneaker style shoe is certainly the shoe to wear if you
    are embarking on a marathon (36 holes walking) or are playing on a
    course that hasn't seen rain or water for a couple of weeks or is clay
    based.  
    
    However, I believe and have experienced the added benefits of the
    traditional shoe as mentioned by .10.  I estimate the stroke savings at
    1-3 per round because of the additional support from a platform and
    lateral perspective. Whenever, I am competing I have worn the
    traditional shoes as this is how I will get the best results.  Look at
    the tour players, very seldom will you see sneaker style shoes.
    
    My latest experiment.... I had an $80 credit at a pro-shop and did not
    want to pay the $225 CDN that they wanted for the top of the line
    Reeboks (Greg Norman) Pump.  I settled on a runner style shoe from
    Dexter that has much more lateral support than other runner style shoes
    I've seen/used.  The jury's out and I'll have to see what kind of
    results I get once my driver problem is fixed (note around June 15/92).
    
    Hopefully hittin' straight  JD - Alberta, Can.

    My experience with golf shoes has led me to the following conclusions.
    
    They don't make shoes to last unless you pay $100+.
    
    Most of the so called walking shoes are gerat for walking, but if you
    play very much, they don't hold up.  A lot of the shoes crack on the
    bottom even though you would think that the rubber/neopreme soles would
    be best for walking.
    
    So far the Macgregors broke down, the Foot Joys broke down, the Etonics
    broke down.  My current pair is Bostonian (Bear Tracks) and they seem
    to have outlasted the others and maintained their appearance.
    
    I recommend shoe trees and a simple cleaning with at least a once a
    month polishing.
    
    SCD 

    My response to golf shoes.  Etonic sucks!  I have gone through 2 pair
    of etonic trash garbase cheap crap shoes in the last year.  They
    seperate from the sole, and the spike mounts break loose from the sole
    of the shoe, thus being unable to change worn spikes.
    
    I bought a killer pair of reebok all leather shoes that are excellent
    quality, feel better than ANY shoe I own, and were only $120.  I just
    found the golf shoe for me.
    
    bob
    

    I agree with SCD ! Get something with leather uppers that retails for
    more than $100 (Don't PAY $100 though...) and you'll be O.K. I've found
    that Foot Joy stands behind their products very well.
    
    --Jack

    In response to my note on reebok earlier, I did not pay $120 for the
    shoes, although that is what they sell them for.
    
    I traded my garbage $65 etonics in with $15 cash, and got the reeboks
    at Pro Golf of Atlanta.
    
    bob
    

Ditto the "You get what your pay for" comments!

I went through two pairs of cheap lightweight "High tech" shoes in one season. I
then bought a pair of Foot-Joys - Soft Joys - and have had them for 2 seasons
now, and they're still in workable condition. I've found the Foot-Joy spike
mounts stand up to spike replacement better than the other brands as well.

Next time I'll buy black rather than white. White is a swine to keep looking in
good condition.

Lindsay

    Reprinted from the Boston Globe, 2-Feb-1993 without permission
    
    The Rockport Co said golf great Jack Nicklaus had agreed to act as
    spokesman for the company and work with the company to design a line of
    golf shoes.  The Marlborough-based company, a subsidiary of Reebok
    International Ltd., plans to introduce its line of golf shoes in 1994,
    Rockport president Bob Slattery said.  "Golf is a natural fit for the 
    Rockport Co. because it incorporates a tremendous amount of walking, a 
    category in which we have tremendous expertise," Slattery said. 
    Nicklaus said, "comfort and performance in a golf shoe are essential
    to your game, and I look forward to working with the Rockport engineers
    in designing just such a shoe"