Shoes

Puma’s latest golf shoe unveiled, plus more popular pro shoes at WM Phoenix Open

Justin Suh, Nick Taylor and Charley Hoffman at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, AZ 2024. We're seeing a lot of popular shoe styles among the pros going into the 2024 season, but these shoes, in particular, caught our eye at the WM Phoenix Open.

Weather was a bit chilly, but the competition was hot — and so were the shoes. Check out these highlights from the WMPO.

Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

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.

Justin Suh sporting the Phantomcat Nitro golf shoes, provding a subtle early look at the shoe in January at the Sony Open in Honolulu. Michael Reaves/Getty Images

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.

Justin Suh debuting the yellow-spiked version of the Phantomcat Nitro golf shoes during the weather-delayed first round continuation on day 2 of the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

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.

A zoom-in view of the new Puma Phantomcat Nitro spiked golf shoes to be released for sale on February 15th. Courtesy

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.

Nick Taylor of Canada celebrates with the trophy after winning in a two-hole playoff during the final round of the WM Phoenix Open. Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

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.

Nick Taylor wearing Adidas Tour360s in black. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

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.

Charley Hoffman was wearing the FootJoy HyperFlex BOA in white this weekend. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

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.

No laces

FootJoy HyperFlex BOA

$199.99
HyperFlex BOA golf shoes for men are specifically tuned for the modern golfer athlete. Hyper powered with a custom molded and integrated thermoplastic side wrap and saddle, this innovative design wraps around your foot to provide the perfect balance of control and stability through your swing while delivering all day walking comfort. HyperFlex features tuned for walking cushioning, added ankle padding, and an innovative, breathable, waterproof performance knit upper so you can play at the highest level.

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 wearing the FootJoy Pro|SL Sport shoes in black. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

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.

SALE

FootJoy Pro|SL Carbon-Previous Season Style

$129.95 (was $159.99)
We’ve made the best even better with increased rear-foot stability by adding a second carbon insert into the heel area of the shoe. The result, increased stability and improved energy return with each step between shots. FJ, The #1 Shoe in Golf.

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).

Scottie Scheffler lines up a putt in the (sold-out) Nike TW ’20s in white. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

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

$250
On the 10th anniversary of possibly the most popular Tiger Woods shoe ever, we’re rereleasing the iconic design as our 1st true Tiger retro, an ahead-of-its-time game-changer. It offers the unique fit and feel of Nike Free technology for all-round comfort and roaring post-putt fist pumps.

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.

Jordan Spieth wearing the UA Drive Pro golf shoes in white with yellow accents. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

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.

NEW

Men’s UA Drive Pro Golf Shoes

$170
The new UA Drive Pro golf shoes are biomechanically engineered, and lab tested, to provide the traction, and diagonal and lateral support your feet need to unlock the power of your natural swing.
Exit mobile version