It’s official: the 2024 pro golf season is upon us, and golf shoe fanatics are on high alert with many brands announcing their newest styles and innovations for the year. We’re seeing a lot of popular shoe styles among the pros carrying over into the 2024 season, but one shoe, in particular, caught our eye at the WM Phoenix Open.
There has been a lot of excitement surrounding the soon-to-be-released Puma golf shoe—the new Phantomcat Nitro ($179.99), which will be available to purchase in t-minus 3 days. But it’s really no secret since Justin Suh (very subtly) first debuted this new shoe (and new spike technology) in Cabo San Lucas back last November. Plus, Puma also gave everyone a first look at these at the PGA Show in Orlando.
The Phantomcat Nitros are an *innovatively* spiked version of Puma’s popular 2023 spikeless model—the Alphacat Nitros, which were released last March. Take a look at the images above and below for a sneak peek at the new Phantomcat Nitro spikes. These are spikes like we’ve never seen before on a golf shoe, but we’ll talk more about the spike innovation in a bit.
Based on Dick’s Sporting Goods’ golf launch calendar, this shoe will be available in four color options, but Justin Suh has only donned two versions thus far in the public eye. Up until Round 1 going into 2 of the WMPO, we’d only seen the white-black-orange color scheme that Suh also wore in Hawaii at the Sony Open (which is also the same color scheme Puma debuted at the 2024 PGA Show in Orlando last month). But yesterday at the WM Phoenix Open, Suh wore a white version with yellow spikes to reveal another colorway (shown in the image above).
More about the new spike technology
At the PGA Show in Orlando, I spoke with a Puma designer representative who gave me a bit of insight into the reasoning behind this unprecedented spike design. To put it most simply, this new technology and design help improve traction by targeting the most important parts of the foot that make a connection with the ground during a golf swing.
The Phantomcat spikes are intentionally engineered and placed where golfers should be shifting weight on their feet in a properly executed swing. The combination of the spikes being melded into the sole and the wide-spike design provides golfers with more traction as they shift their weight in rotation.
These shoes will be available in men’s sizes 7 to 15, and, according to Puma’s rep, there are no current plans to release a women’s version of this shoe or even a women’s shoe in general with this spike technology. So, if you’re a lady with a foot smaller than a woman’s size 9, you’re currently out of luck to try this new shoe. I share your disappointment.
To that point, before we get into the rest of the cool shoes we’ve seen this weekend at WMPO, I’ll provide you with one of my two favorite spiked women’s golf shoes that do offer your size —I’m privy to both the Adidas ZG23 and the FootJoy HyperFlex.
More pro shoes we saw at WM Phoenix Open
A competitive and entertaining weekend, we can continue to consider “The Greatest Show on Grass” to still be exactly that. Along with a great show, we also enjoyed the styles on the course at TPC Scottsdale. Here are a few pros and their shoes that stood out to us this weekend.
Nick Taylor
Nick Taylor secured the win at the WM Phoenix Open, ending in a playoff between him and Charley Hoffman, taking home about $1.58 mil for 1st place. A popular (and victorious) pick, Nick Taylor was also the first Canadian to win the Canadian Open since 1954. Big congrats to Nick Taylor making waves for Canada.
Sporting a throw-back style inspired Adidas golf shoe, Nick Taylor was confident in the Adidas Tour360 Boosts which are 50% off (now $90, was $180) if you’d like to snag a pair for yourself, but they’re almost sold out.
Tap here to shop new Adidas golf shoes.
Charley Hoffman
Once you go ‘BOA’ shoelace technology, it’s truly hard to go back to laces. Charley Hoffman was absolutely rocking his green outfit with these FootJoy HyperFlex BOA shoes.
With no laces, you secure these shoes with a turn-knob at the back, which tightens the shoes around your feet with comfort and ease.
FootJoy HyperFlex BOA
Sahith Theegala
A leader in the tournament for most of the weekend, Sahith Theegala tends to lean toward a more casual look—this guy loves a lightweight hoodie on the course—but he elevated this look with these waterproof leather golf shoes.
Sahith Theegala paired his low-key look with the Pro|SL Sport by FootJoy in black. These shoes are also available in white/navy and white/black.
FootJoy Pro|SL Carbon-Previous Season Style
Scottie Scheffler
Paired with a Nike waffle-knit hoodie, Scottie Scheffler’s outfit was casual and cool. The white Nike hat tied in nicely with his TW ’20 shoes (which are no longer in stock).
With the TW ’20s out of stock, the Tiger Woods ’13 shoes are a perfect alternate for the ’20s. Check out this cool colorway with green accents.
Nike Tiger Woods ’13 Men’s Golf Shoes
Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth always has on the coolest Under Armour shoes and outfits. At the WMPO, Spieth gave us an awesome view of the newest release from UA, the Drive Pro Golf Shoes.
These are also available in wide and spikeless versions, as well as offered in 3 color ways. These shoes are selling out quickly, so hurry.
