Golf Shoes – Get the grip right.
Golf is a sport that has persisted since it was first recorded being played at Bruntsfield Links in Scotland in 1456. This is in spite of the fact that it is so expensive to play it, what with the clubs, the clothes, the range and green fees, and the golf shoes. The rules are simple: hit that ball all over the green, avoid water, sand and trees, and hope you find it again. Use a club.
Players endure a lot of ribbing because of the clothes and shoes they wear. The shoes are understandable, because they need to be able to grip the turf yet not be restrictive, so they need all those ridges yet have low construction. The clothes are a little harder to explain away. It might be there is a need for loud colors and plaids to distinguish the players from the green so as to avoid (or be sure of) hitting them. For whatever reason, you know a golf player from their fashion statement. Golf shoes have quite a bit of history to them. Golf has been around since the 15th Century but the Duke of Windsor, the former King Edward VIII of England in the early 20th Century, popularized golf shoes. Nothing like royalty to push two-colored shoes. However, the first golf shoes had metal spikes or nails in them that wreaked havoc on the grass and turf, so as early as 1921, these shoes were being discouraged in the green and clubhouse. This spurred the production of rubber-tipped spike shoes. A study (yes, there were two of them, actually) about these shoes revealed that golf shoes with absolutely no spikes, rubber or otherwise, were the best kind of shoes for golf. It is recommended that golf shoes have traction to prevent slippage, especially during wet weather, but no spikes.
Golf is usually associated with men, but women have also been getting into the scene, and they look much more attractive than the men. Women’s golf shoes are often spike less and come in a variety of nice colors, although the white and black sandal oxfords are still basic, and it is still possible to get one that is really unattractive. Some women prefer golf sandals, which clearly indicate they are there for the sun and not the game, but it looks really cute though it does not really go with the golf skirt. Some are made of Italian leather and carry a hefty price tag. Ladies golf shoes can also double as street shoes, but it is not recommended. These shoes can be priced anywhere from $350 to $600 a pair. However, discount golf shoes are available, ranging from $75 to $169, in a wide range of designs available for both men and women.