Golf footwear is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated (and underappreciated) pieces of equipment in any golfer’s arsenal. Often, a golfer will buy a pair of golf shoes with far less consideration than they will with, say, their choice of ball or driver, etc.
But when you think about it, the footwear is the one piece of equipment that is absolutely critical to your game. As many top teachers have said, the golf swing starts from the ground up, and not only does proper footwear help you plant your feet securely into the turf (better traction translates to more leverage and power), but it can also save you a significant amount of strokes in a round (a comfortable foot helps conserve overall energy, thus keeping your entire body fresher throughout a round.)
That’s why I was so excited about Under Armour’s new UA HOVR Drive shoe. It produces some amazing comfort, while also generating significant traction/grip.
Right out of the box, the new UA HOVR DRIVE shoe is impressive. Extremely light, the shoe weighs in at just 11.9 ounces (around 337 grams). The shoe features Under Armour’s proprietary UA HOVR cushioning, which provides a soft, cushiony feel. This is paired with a lightweight midsole and outsole, and an integrated lacing system, providing a secure fit, with plenty of comfort. I was so excited to try these that I wore them around the office before taking them out on the course, and by the end of the day I’d forgotten I was wearing golf shoes!
Of course, comfort is meaningless if your traction suffers on the course. Luckily, this is not the case here, as the UA HOVR DRIVE features Under Armour’s RST 2.0 rotational resistance spikes (the red ones in the photo). Strategically-placed in key locations on the sole, these essentially lock your feet into the ground and prevent the shoe from rotating/slipping as your foot pivots during the swing. The remainder of the shoe also features green-friendly Softspike Silver Tornado spikes for additional traction and walking comfort.
An added benefit is that the UA HOVR DRIVE shoes are also 100% waterproof, and come with a two-year Limited Waterproof Warranty.
THE VERDICT: After 18 holes in these shoes, my feet felt fresher than ever (and felt I could have gone another 18 or more.) Traction was at an all-time high, and I could see a significant improvement in swing power via better interaction with the ground. Highly recommended.
RRP: $249 from Leading Pro Shops.
A four-time winner of the Australian Golf Media Awards, including Best Photojournalism, Best Opinion, Best Column and Best Photographic Presentation, Inside Golf Group Editor Richard Fellner is the quintessential Golf Tragic, having played the game for over 50 years (but has never gotten any better!) He has played and reviewed courses all over the world, and has interviewed many of the great players of the game (including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Greg Norman). Richard is a member of both the Australian Golf Media Association and the Golf Society of Australia, and has been a featured guest on many Australian "sports talk" radio shows and networks, including ABC Grandstand, SEN 1116, Melbourne Talk Radio 1377, 2GB and others.
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