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 adjustments fairly ceaselessly.
That isn’t the case. I’ve a couple of favorites that get extra run than the remainder of my assortment. However, each infrequently, 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 means into my rotation, contemplating it’s made up of largely adidas.
However till this yr, 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?
Unsuitable. Since Wooden’s departure, NIKE’s been steadily getting higher and higher. Rory’s new shoe, the Victory Tour 4, was my favourite pair up to now … till I attempted on the extra budget-friendly Victory Professional 4 (aka, Scottie Scheffler’s new shoe).
As an knowledgeable shoe tester, I declare that the brand new NIKE Victory Professional 4 is the most effective efficiency golf shoe of their lineup. And, it’s my favourite efficiency shoe to come back out this yr from ANY model.
Right here’s why I really like the NIKE Victory Professional 4 so rattling a lot.
They lastly nailed the match
My largest gripe with NIKE golf sneakers up to now have been match. I’ve usually discovered the match to be too slender, too brief and moderately 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 dimension. That’s a win in my guide.
A number of holes into my spherical, I forgot I used to be carrying them. That, pals, is a tell-tale signal {that a} shoe is doing its job. No annoyances, no pinching or rubbing.
Cushlon is (nonetheless) cozy
Much like its older brother, the Victory Professional 4 includes a full-length Cushlon midsole. It’s one in all my favourite cushion setups as a result of it provides a cushty trip with out feeling overly plush. It’s on the “firmer” aspect 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 as a result of 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 sneakers I’ve worn this yr.
It’s definitely applicable for the walker or the rider.
Examined traction and stability
I’ve worn loads of spiked sneakers that wrestle 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 jot down residence about right here, however the plastic wing using up the lateral aspect of the sneakers does cease the foot from sliding over the footbed.
The stack peak is a bit excessive, so this wing is critical 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 “price range” pleasant model of a flagship shoe. In golf, you may discover the identical concept in putters, one thing just like the Odyssey Ai-one milled vs the Ai-one sequence. The latter has among the similar tech, however is available in at a extra compelling worth level.
The identical may be stated for the Victory Professional 4. Because the takedown mannequin of the $199 Victory Tour 4, the shoe lacks among the similar tech (particularly, the Flyplate) and uncooked supplies of its large brother. However, at $150, it’s a lot simpler to advocate.
Having worn each pairs, I can say definitely that I choose the “cheaper” model. When a “takedown” mannequin doesn’t really feel like a considerable trade-off in efficiency, there’s at all times an enormous worth proposition to be made.
On this case, the Victory Professional 4 is what I’d advocate for most individuals.
Not solely is it NIKE’s greatest golf shoe proper now, however it’s additionally one of many higher golf sneakers within the worth class, interval.
The submit Scottie Scheffler’s New NIKE Footwear Simply Dropped — and We Tried Them First appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
