Review: Skechers GO Golf Bionic shoe

SKECHERS, the second biggest footwear brand in the United States, has finally diversified to include performance footwear for golf - and they're thankfully available to us across the pond.

Entering the UK golf industry for the first time in its 22-year history, the new Skechers Go Golf range follows hot on the heels of the incredible worldwide success achieved by the Skechers Performance Division with the Skechers GOrun platform-footwear range.

Skechers R&D in performance footwear has been proven through the Skechers GO Run platform over the last three years, and has picked up some of the most-prized awards and accolades available in the performance footwear arena.

Skechers Performance Division footwear has proved an incredible success story of late, largely surrounding the signing of top US marathon runner and former Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi, and the Skechers GO Golf range aims to build on these achievements.

The new GO Golf range of shoes offers the golfer with a number of different styles, bringing lightweight comfort, style and durability to the course through its world-renowned R&D in footwear technology.

With a choice of three different footwear to choose from, comprising GO Golf Bionic, GO Golf and GO Golf Drive shoes, I opted for the latter because they looked more up my street.

Skechers GO Golf Bionic - RRP £109 and available in lime/black, black/red and white/black, of which I was handed the former (as I'm probably the only UK golf journalist brave enough to wear them) - offered me three things I always look for when it comes to spikeless golf footwear: comfort, performance and styling.

GO Bionic Engineering utilises a nature-inspired organic design that felt as though it helped my feet move more naturally throughout the round, and the additional levels of comfort were achieved through the brand's Resamax Cushion Insole. My feet felt great throughout the round and incredibly fresh after plucking ball out the cup at the 18th.

Although I don't like the look of the wide toe box design much - I guess I'm more of a pointed shoe man - it does a job. This design allowed my toes the necessary freedom to increase grip through the sole of the shoe and optimise stability through impact. A 4mm heel drop design also ensured me with a solid foundation on every swing and support.

Talking of stability, Skechers has developed it's own patented technology in the shape of a Resagrip Outsole made from EVA and rubber in varying combinations of density. This outsole provided me with a decent amount of grip from all types of lies in the grass and sand, and even when the heavens opened. The shoes also comprise advanced waterproofing thanks to the brand's Waterseal Technology.

Yet the most noticeable feature of this shoe is its weight. Or lack of. This is one of the lightest shoes in golf today, weighing in at a measly 10.9 oz. It honestly felt like a feather in the palm of my glove, but still provided me with the stability I required to get through each shot out on the course.

I love the athletic design with contrast pattern, neat lace-up design at the front and the Skechers S logo at the side. The lime/black is a bit loud I guess, but I don't mind it. The white/black model actually looks more up my street if I'm honest. As you can probably see from recent reviews, though, I'll wear anything providing I can find apparel that matches.

Verdict

Having revolutionised the modern running shoe, Skechers Performance Division is now looking to take golf footwear to new levels with the Skechers GO Golf range and I believe the GO Golf Bionic shoe provides Skechers with the perfect starting block to progress.

Pretty good value at £109 and you very much get what you pay for when it comes to performance and comfort. The styling, I guess, is more of a personal thing. If you crave light, yet stable golf shoes, then these chaps could well be the strides for you this season.

For more information visit the Skechers Go Golf website.

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