Anyone try Nike Free or Fivefingers shoes on the golf course?

[Metalhead]

Just curious how these might feel/work?

[DRGJR72]

[quote name='Metalhead' date='08 July 2010 - 08:02 AM' timestamp='1278601355' post='2562497']
Just curious how these might feel/work?
[/quote]

I have two pairs of Nike Free sneakers and they are extremely comfortable and very, very light. Support is medium to low. I still wear them from time to time to hit balls.

I have played two rounds with them, both while on vaca and did not want to bring my golf shoes. Traction was not to much of an issue for me, but it was dry. I would think that in damp or wet weather you could see some slipping.

Definitely promotes a smooth swing to maintain a solid base, not a terrible thing as I felt my tempo was fairly good both times I played with these.

All in all I actually enjoyed wearing these on the course.

Hope that helps a little.

[gboldman23]

I wear them on the range a lot. I really do feel they help promote a smooth swing and are comfy as heck.

[Cuchulain]

i have played in Nike Frees, Terra Plana Vivo Aqua Barefoot Shoes and Indoor Soccer shoes.

In the Frees you are still quite high off the ground, much higher than you would be in the VFFs which give a similar experience to the Aquas.

Depends on what you are looking for. The Frees are light but don't really give that barefoot feel IMO.

[cwbrion]

I have some Nike Frees that I run in occasionally to strengthen my arches and now I might need to hit the range in them too. Tempo kills me so I think hitting balls in these would be a good recipe for me. I used to hit balls all the time barefooted when I was a kid, just like Sam Snead used to do. Hitting balls barefooted will cure almost all that ails your golf swing.

[yoshiod9]

I learned how to play wearing flip flops and the first "real" shoes I wore while playing golf were Nike Frees. Great shoe for running and it worked for me during golf! I take them to the range quite often. Great shoe. I've been dying to try the Vibrams but my local REI doesn't carry them in store. :/

[sharkiesj]

JMHO, but the Nike Air Rate's are lower and give you a much more grounded feel. Plus, they're golf shoes but feel light as a feather on your feet. Highly satisfied with mine.

I have some FiveFingers and will give it a go this weekend. I'll try to remember to post.

[NV37]

'Not trying to hijack your post but I have couple of pairs of Nike Presto shoes(I believe they were the predecessor of the Free shoes) and I frequently play in them. They're more comfortable than my golf shoes (all 5 pairs are by Nike) especially when I walk 18 holes. Support and grip are adequate but as a previous poster mentioned, I have to be a little more careful when the ground is wet.

I play as well in them as I do in golf shoes so it's pretty much just a matter of comfort and style.

[gjpep]

Ryan Moore is wearing a new(not yet released) golf shoe from True Linkswear (http://www.truelinkswear.com/) that is along the lines of these styles of shoes

[Insidious2]

bump for fivefingers. Considering some TRUEs but I already have some fivefingers....although they are not fashionable...at all.

[mauiatheart]

I like the look of my five fingers. I was thinking of trying them at the range. Not sure about on the course with the lack of spikes though.

[hbear]

Have the frees for workouts and when I was doing national team work.

Never hit a ball with them, but while watching some pro events I don't think they'll do well in any sort of wet grass.
(e.g. they were quite slick just walking around the course in the morning dew.)

[againstthegrain]

I train and practice golf indoors w the five fingers......they feel very stable.

[golfinguy978]

the five fingers would be better to play in/practice in...the i used to work out in the frees but the stability isn't as good as id like...the vibrams though are wrapped around the foot like a water...

[duffer888]

The trail running version of the Frees might do better in the wet.

I tried them at the range and they didn't provide the support I liked. But I like stiff, supporty shoes for golf.

The older Frees tended to tear at the base of the heel. So the golf swing may accelerate this process. I went through 3 pair and they all tore in the same area. I've noticed that each year's model keep getting progressively more reinforcement in this area as well.

[rlheiman]

I've got a pair of the five-fingers with the traction nubs on the bottom that I am testing out right now as golf shoes. They are very interesting and the feel is second to none. They do take some time getting used to with having your toes all separated, but the way you can feel the ground with your feet and toes is awesome.

[TXGOLFJUNKIE]

I have the Sport Five Finger. Plenty of traction but I don't hit in them anymore because I won't play in them. I found myself hitting the ball chunky because I was a closer to the ground. Messed with my brain. Otherwise, they are great shoes. The TRUE linkswear is my next purchase.

[dbloom136]

I had the first version of the frees and wore them till they fell apart and have a pair now too. Like a post above said the Nike Air Rate's are similar to the frees in the super light weight and thinner sole, they are a great golf shoe, i played all season in them, and i never even tied them. Nike is relasing another model similar to the Rates this year called the Air Range, basically the same shoe just a little different cosmetically.