These loopy SOB’s lastly did it.
It’s robust to crack my golf shoe rotation. As somebody who’s worn nicely over 150 totally different pairs over the past three years or so, you may assume my private top-5 modifications fairly regularly.
That isn’t the case. I’ve just a few favorites that get extra run than the remainder of my assortment. However, each now and again, one thing comes alongside that’s so good, I’ve to reevaluate my private Mt. Rushmore.
I’ve been cautiously optimistic that NIKE might crack their approach into my rotation, contemplating it’s made up of principally adidas.
However till this 12 months, that’s felt extra like a pipe dream than a actuality. Usually, I really feel like NIKE neglects their golf class (and rightfully so) in favor of issues like operating, basketball and sportswear.
I imply, Tiger Woods strolling out the door certainly signified the top of NIKE golf as we all know it … proper?
Flawed. Since Wooden’s departure, NIKE’s been steadily getting higher and higher. Rory’s new shoe, the Victory Tour 4, was my favourite pair so far … till I attempted on the extra budget-friendly Victory Pro 4 (aka, Scottie Scheffler’s new shoe).
As an skilled shoe tester, I declare that the brand new NIKE Victory Professional 4 is the perfect efficiency golf shoe of their lineup. And, it’s my favourite performance shoe to come out this year from ANY brand.
Right here’s why I love the NIKE Victory Pro 4 so damn much.
They lastly nailed the match
My greatest gripe with NIKE golf footwear prior to now have been match. I’ve usually discovered the match to be too slim, too brief and somewhat uncomfortable close to the heel.
That preconceived notion couldn’t be farther from the reality. I touched on it a bit in my evaluate of the Victory Tour 4, however the Victory Professional 4 has a roomier toebox and a brand new sculpted heel that’s designed to supply a extra “sneaker-like” match.
That is the primary NIKE golf shoe I’ve tried on shortly the place I don’t really feel the necessity to go up a half measurement. That’s a win in my ebook.
A number of holes into my spherical, I forgot I used to be carrying them. That, associates, is a tell-tale signal {that a} shoe is doing its job. No annoyances, no pinching or rubbing.
Cushlon is (nonetheless) cozy
Just like its older brother, the Victory Professional 4 incorporates a full-length Cushlon midsole. It’s certainly one of my favourite cushion setups as a result of it provides a cushty experience with out feeling overly plush. It’s on the “firmer” facet of the spectrum when in comparison with one thing like BOOST, however softer than one thing like FootJoy’s StratoFoam.
The Victory Professional 4 felt extra comfy than the Victory Tour 4, most likely because of the lack of the inflexible Flyplate. The Cushlon, coupled with a better-than-most included sockliner, made the Victory Professional 4 one of many extra comfy spiked golf footwear I’ve worn this 12 months.
It’s definitely applicable for the walker or the rider.
Examined traction and stability
I’ve worn loads of spiked footwear that battle with traction. The Victory Professional 4 depends on 9 Softspikes cleats to maintain you grounded. They work as marketed.
The traction contributes to the general stability of the shoe, too, which was fairly respectable. Nothing to put in writing residence about right here, however the plastic wing driving up the lateral facet of the footwear does cease the foot from sliding over the footbed.
The stack top is a bit excessive, so this wing is important to cease you from rolling an ankle in case you get a case of the Scotties and begin shuffling such as you’re LMFAO.
Takedown, who?
The very last thing I wish to contact on is the thought of a “takedown” mannequin. In sneakers, this typically refers to a extra “finances” pleasant model of a flagship shoe. In golf, you may discover the identical thought in putters, one thing just like the Odyssey Ai-one milled vs the Ai-one series. The latter has among the identical tech, however is available in at a extra compelling worth level.
The identical could be stated for the Victory Professional 4. Because the takedown mannequin of the $199 Victory Tour 4, the shoe lacks among the identical tech (particularly, the Flyplate) and uncooked supplies of its huge brother. But, at $150, it’s much easier to recommend.
Having worn each pairs, I can say for sure that I desire the “cheaper” model. When a “takedown” mannequin doesn’t really feel like a considerable trade-off in efficiency, there’s all the time an enormous worth proposition to be made.
On this case, the Victory Professional 4 is what I’d suggest for most individuals.
Not solely is it NIKE’s finest golf shoe proper now, however it’s additionally one of many higher golf footwear within the worth class, interval.
The put up Scottie Scheffler’s New NIKE Shoes Just Dropped — and We Tried Them First appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
