Softer Spikes

Golf is a funny hobby.  While it’s true that we’ll open our wallets for any opportunity to shave off a few strokes, there’s also a sense of personal style that isn’t around in other sports.  Golf gives us the opportunity to express our personal style.  Personally, I like a more traditional look.  In terms of style, I’ve always admired Tom Watson, Davis Love III, Fred Couples, and Brandt Snedeker on the course.  Not a lot of white belts in that foursome, but a lot of tour visors.  You get it.

With golf shoes, I’ve been a die-hard Footjoy Dryjoys guy for years.  I bought my first pair in the mid-90’s and have worn them in some variation since.  I’ve gotten a few other pairs of different varieties from sale racks, but the FJ’s are what’s going on down there.  My current pair is a custom white/green saddle pair that I’ve worn for the past 3-4 seasons.  They are great – I shot my career low round in those shoes at my favorite course – but they are aging.  I was asked to go walk a round with some buddies, and after 9 holes, my feet were killing me.

Side note: 90% of the golf I play is in a cart.  I like walking – actually I love to walk, but we usually default to the cart.

We made the turn and my dogs were barking. I knew it was time to add a pair of walking shoes to my rotation.  Ecco had been on my radar for some time, but I never really had a need.  I decided to try on a pair of their new Cage Pros, and walked around the store.  They had a much different feel than any other golf shoe I had worn.  I wasn’t too concerned with the molded vs. screw in soft spikes, as I don’t usually swing out of my shoes.  The biggest deviation for me was the style.  After a few laps, I got over that quick.

In terms of golf shoe price point, I’ve always been comfortable with the $200 number.  That feels right for golf shoes.  There are some that cost more, and a lot that cost less.  I’ve paid $400 for a pair of Footjoy Classics, and 10% of that on a pair off the sale rack.  I don’t own either anymore.  I feel like a $200 pair of shoes will last for 4 seasons, so $50 a year for shoes seems OK.  The Cage Pros retail for $210, so check the second box.

Out of the box, these shoes look great.  They have a ‘cool’ vibe that is more of an athletic shoe than an updated pair of Vision Street Wear skateboard shoes.  These lean more towards an updated traditional shoe than an athletic shoe with cleats.  I’m conscious of toe boxes on most shoes, as I don’t like the Ronald McDonald look.  The Eccos’ toe box is relatively narrow, which gives these a streamlined look.  From a sizing perspective, you do have to understand the European to US size conversion, but it’s pretty easy.  If you are between sizes, I would order up (that’s what I did).

I’ve played a few rounds in these, and so far, so good.  Admittedly, two of the three rounds in these were in carts, but I found myself saying ‘I’ll grab my wedge and putter and meet you on the green on the majority of holes.  They made walking on the course like a, well, a walk in the park.  I feel like that’s how these shoes were designed: with the walker in mind.  I didn’t notice any effect on my play.  There is a big online debate about molded vs. screw in spikes, and after playing in both, I didn’t notice a difference.

Here is the look after four rounds:

I like the look of the shoes.  The white on white is very warm-weather friendly.  The Cage Pros are offered in other colors, but I feel like the white on white is the most ‘traditional’ of the choices.  The only think I’m considering is changing out the laces to something darker: maybe grey or green, just to make them ‘mine’.

Thinking about upgrading your current pair of golf shoes?  Looking for something more comfortable?  I’ve been very happy with these Ecco Cage Pros.  Give ’em a try and see if you don’t get to walkin’…