Nike Lunar Control Golf Shoes
Grade: A
Teacher’s Comments: Lightweight walkers

The Nike Lunar Control golf shoes fit in a growing category of shoes seemingly designed specifically for walking golfers.  These classic saddles are lightweight and flexible, yet still offer the stability you need for an aggressive swing.

At first glance, the Lunar Controls don’t look like walking shoes. The classic saddle design fairly screams “your father’s golf shoes.” I expected them to be stiff, hard and heavy.

It just goes to prove that first impressions can be deceiving. When I put these on, I immediately noticed they were polar opposite of my initial impressions. They’re lightweight, flexible and soft. I’ve now walked a couple of rounds in the shoes and found them to be a delight.

In terms of size and fit, they’re what I would anticipate. Heel to toe, they seem true to size. The toe box is plenty large.The heel, however, is slightly larger than my usual choices. That’s an issue with my own feet, however, and not with the shoe. I typically try to find shoes with a more narrow heel and wider toe box. If your feet are more of a standard size, you’ll find these fit as prescribed. Even with the slightly larger heel, though, I had no walking issues—no blisters, red spots or any sort of discomfort.

As with all its golf shoes, Nike has incorporated its experience in running and other sports shoes. Underfoot, the Lunarlon cushioning system is a dual density foam that’s both lightweight and supportive. When walking, I like to “feel” the ground beneath my feet, and these are better than most.

For stability, Nike has run some high-tensile fibers through the saddle that help to support the mid foot. It doesn’t feel overly snug in any way, but I can feel the support.

The Nike Lunar Controls have waterproof leather uppers, with a waterproof treatment. The outsole belongs to Nike’s Power Platform family. Nike also says that there’s a “Power Channel” in the forefoot to “allow more flexibility and greater natural motion.”

In all, I found these to be an excellent pair of shoes, and its a pair that I’ll keep in the car and rotate with my others. In walking as much as I do, I’ve found that rotating through several different sets of shoes helps not only to keep the shoes fresh, but also to keep from developing any potential soreness in any one spot on the foot.

I’m in a mood to get a new pair of golf shoes for the season (not that there’s any in sight), and two newish models have caught my eye: The Ecco Street and the True Linkswear. They’re both similar in intent and design—lightweight, spikeless—so I’m wondering if anyone has tried either (or both) and can give me an opinion.

The Ecco Street has been out longer than the True Linkswear and has gotten quite a bit of good press.

In comparison, the True Linkswear looks as though its even lighter and lower to the ground. The literature says it’s like walking barefoot while still offering golf traction.

You can get both at great prices at Friend of the GolfBlogger, Golf Locker.

NIKE Men s Lunar Control - White/Metallic Silver/Volt Black Golf Shoes

The weather outside is frightful, so I can’t do a playtest on the pair of Nike Lunar Control shoes that recently arrived in the mail. In the absence of visible grass I’ve been trying the next best thing: wearing them around the house. Mrs. GolfBlogger is not pleased, but I’m willing to risk it for my readers.

Based on the carpet test, these are a comfortable, well-fitting pair of shoes. There’s plenty of room in the toe box for my squarish foot, and the arch support hits in just the right place. I’ve done some practice swings with my Wii Chicken Stick, and they offer the stability I’m looking for.

I’ll give you a full walking test when the white stuff leaves the ground.

In the meantime, you might want to visit GolfLocker.Com for some great deals on Nike shoes.

There’s been a lot of buzz about the True Linkswear shoes lately. They’re worn by Ryan Moore and people who have tried them swear that they’re the best feeling golf shoes ever designed. With the toe design, the remind me a lot of the Keen Shoes I like to wear hiking. Here’s the lowdown:

GolfLocker has just received a new batch of Footjoy Spikeless shoes. They all have some sort of minor cosmetic blemish, so they’re going for just $99—$60 off the list. To my way of thinking, this is a real bargain—I don’t care about blemishes—I’ll scruff them up soon enough on my own—as long as my dogs are comfortable.

Golf Gators Flip Flops

For the more casual set, and those who can’t stand shoes, here’s a different way to play golf.

Sam Snead would have liked these. He occasionally would practice and play barefoot.

Take $10 off $50 at SharperImage.com! Expires 7-31-10 at midnight. Exclusions apply. Use code AFJULY3.

Footjoy Icon Spikeless Golf Shoes”

GolfLocker has the best prices I’ve seen on these Footjoy Icon Spikeless shoes. In some cases, they’re priced at nearly half that of the big box stores. With calfskin detailing, premium full grain leather and two year waterproof warranty, these are the top of the line for Footjoy. They should be comfortable to walk in, too, with the leather covered “dual density PU Fit-Bed; that’s supposed to create a base that more nearly aligns with the natural shape of your foot. I keep looking at spikeless shoes and thinking that’s the way I should go.