Nike FI Impact Golf Shoe review
By Stuart Goldstein
AmateurGolf.com Player Staff »
Nike golf has long been noted for its cutting
edge technology in golf shoes and
apparel long
before it entered the golf equipment business.
The FI Impact Golf shoe continues this
tradition.
Blending style, comfort and performance in a
spikeless golf shoe, Nike leaned on the
expertise
of one of its athletes -- Suzann Petterson --
to help create the FI Impact.
“We collaborated closely with Pettersen to
create a shoe fit for her game,” said Lee
Walker,
Nike Golf’s Footwear Product Director. “The FI
Impact allows her to get the transfer
of
energy her game demands, proving even a
swing as powerful as Pettersen’s can
utilize the
performance of integrated Traction.”
The advent of spikeless golf shoes has given
golfers the ability to develop maximum
ground
feel while maintaining freedom of movement.
This notion is nothing new. After all, Sam
Snead
recommended practicing barefoot. But being
able to translate that into a shoe had
been a
difficult process.
PHOTO
GALLERY: NIKE FI IMPACT GOLF SHOE »
Nike's first success was the Nike TW 13. It is
the Free-Inspired outsole technology
that has
made the FI Impact such a great shoe as it's
designed to mimic and conform to the
natural
motion of the foot while delivering all the
protection and traction of a lightweight
performance golf shoe.
You get plenty of support and cushioning yet
you get the necessary traction and
stability
needed for today’s power game. In her first
tournament round wearing the FI Impact
at the
LPGA LOTTE Championship, Pettersen carded
an impressive 65, leading her to victory.
“After I tried them once, I was dying to get
them on my feet in competition,” she
said. “I
can really feel the ground and the increase in
power through my swing.”
The FI Impact has a breathable, waterproof
mesh upper which offers increased
flexibility and
comfort. Nike’s Dynamic Fit system promotes
comfort and enhanced support and
stability for
all shots.
Additionally, the Flex Grooves and rubber
traction pods are designed to provide just
the right
amount of traction.
The FI impact is a great golf shoe for those
seeking an alternative to traditional
spiked
shoes. Comfort and performance are wrapped
into a stylish shoe that can be worn on
and off
the course. The FI Impact for men comes in a
variety of colors including:
Black/Metallic
Silver; Light Base Grey/Black; Military
Blue/White; MD Base Grey/Team Orange and
Black/Venom Green. They include a one-year
waterproof warranty and retail at $160.