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Minimalist golf shoes?

TorreyLaffoon

TorreyLaffoon

Birdie Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2011
Messages
376
Location
Alma, Mi
So for the last two years I've been playing in Nike shoes. I've especially liked the Nike Free running shoes for their light weight. I own a pair of Vibram five fingers but dont like how grippy they are on tee pads because they limit rotation I feel like. But I like the minimalist approach.

So I have looked at both Merril's new minimalist trail shoes as well as New Balances new minimalist trail shoes and. I was wondering if anyone has experience with these as primary DG shoes.

Please keep in mind I am pretty set on super light weight minimalist shoes.

Opinions?

Thanks!
 
I wear trail running shoes and I highly advise it, the lightweight component of it has been a huge plus. I have the Patagonia Tsalis and have loved them, very comfortable and durable shoes. They have worn a bit but I do a lot of hiking and disc golf and they're still very wearable after 8 months.

I know that Saucony makes very good trail running shoes as well, I've heard good things about New Balances but I personally don't endorse Merrell anymore. I've had their shoes completely fail a month or two in a couple times now and I'm done.
 
The only thing that I don't like about those is that they have a higher platform similar to the Nike Frees. I was hoping to get away from that.
 
i wouldnt buy merrells. they make it a pain in the ass to get the shoes warrantied. i had a pair start falling apart literally 3 days after i got them, sent them an email with pics and they told me to send them in and theyll decode wether to replace them or not and it could take up to 2 weeks or more. f that. no more merrells for me even tho they performed well
 
I run in Saucony Kinvaras. These are minimal shoes. The biggest problem I see with golfing in a minimal shoe is they arent designed for abuse.
We have woods here, and thick blackberries, and rocks and gravel. All of these would destroy the lightweight uppers on any good minimal shoe very quickly.
Much as I love wearing my Kinvaras, they are like comfy slippers on my feet, I just cant afford a new pair every month, so I save them just for running in,

BUT, since you're hell bent, and its your $$$ Mr. G Money, here are some suggestions to try;

All are trail shoes, so they have decent tread.

Asics Gel Fuji Racer, 8.7 oz.
Saucony Progrid Peregrine, 9.9 oz.
New Balance 110, 7.8 oz.
Brooks Pure Project, 8.7 oz.
New Balance Minumus 10 Trail, 7.1 oz.

Wish I could afford to wear these on the course, but, being a foot dragger when I throw FH means they wouldnt even survive one round before getting shredded.
I wear a lightweight Asics trail shoe, called a Trail Attack, I think its around 6 oz., for golf now, it has little bit sturdier upper, so its better for abusive courses.

And , its just my opinion, but Merrell makes cheap, cheesy shoes that fall apart quickly but cost a bundle. No more for me, I learned my lesson.
 
austin234 said:
i wouldnt buy merrells. they make it a pain in the ass to get the shoes warrantied. i had a pair start falling apart literally 3 days after i got them, sent them an email with pics and they told me to send them in and theyll decode wether to replace them or not and it could take up to 2 weeks or more. f that. no more merrells for me even tho they performed well
Click to expand...

they did the same thing to me. so i sent them a full page email about how disappointed i was with their half-assed attempt at customer service. then i got an email from a nice woman who, once i explained the issue, shipped me an upgraded pair for no charge. and i didn't have to send them my old shoes.

so, it sucks, but they ended up making it right for me. i really like my moab's. i've had 3 pair and can't complain. the pair that i had a problem with are a different style, and discontinued now (probably because they suck a disck)
 
captain jack said:
I run in Saucony Kinvaras. These are minimal shoes. The biggest problem I see with golfing in a minimal shoe is they arent designed for abuse.
We have woods here, and thick blackberries, and rocks and gravel. All of these would destroy the lightweight uppers on any good minimal shoe very quickly.
Much as I love wearing my Kinvaras, they are like comfy slippers on my feet, I just cant afford a new pair every month, so I save them just for running in,
Click to expand...

Yeah this is how I feel. I have these

They've held up well so far for running and I've played a few rounds in them. They're great to play in but I think they would wear out pretty fast from the tee pads. If you play on natural tee's I think they'd fair better.

Obviously this assumes you're not a toe dragger. If you're draggin your foot no shoe will really hold up to that.

I've decided that I'd much rather save mine to run in than destroy them playing disc golf and will play in these
 
If you truly want embrace a minimalist mindset for the game, I'd suggest just buying several pairs of the same shoe, and and have them in different stages of wear. You'll find this advice all over. Or you could tape one of your minimalist molds to your feet, which would speed up the wear of said discs. Bingo.
 
I was toying with the idea of using my New Balance 110's for DG. I just got a pair for light hiking and jogs. They actually run true to size even though the last is a little snugger (by design) and are lower profile around the toe box. I had ordered a half size down but they were too tight and I want to wear socks with them. They have a rock guard under the forefoot so I think they'd be okay over some rough terrain. The soles are grippy but I'm not sure how they would do on a rubber tee pad. You might be in the same position as using the VFF's. They also have diamond-shaped numbs which I suspect might catch during a throw on uneven concrete. I'd bet they're great on grass though.

I also have some Merrell true gloves which I normally wear to the gym and for spin. I did some field work with a handful of discs and they felt okay on a concrete walkway for tee shots. Good grip and ground feel. Merrells run bigger (and wider), especially around the toe box so I actually have them a full size smaller than normal, but socks would make them a little tight. From what I've read, the trail versions are a bit lower in the heel cover area which would help minimize rubbing across the achilles. My true gloves rubbed a blister across my achilles after a dozen or so throws. I would've probably been okay with thin socks or bandaid back there.

I'd be apt to try the Merrell sonic glove for DG. Same design as the trail glove, but the outer material is designed to repel water. I think that would work better for damp grass, etc. that you'd encounter on the course. Of course they have the Goretex versions too, but now you're getting really spendy.
 
i love my new balance winter runs, 'water resistance', vibram tread. With not padding i feel like im really balanced when i pivot on my throw. Only had em a month so we'll see how long they last.
 
I wear the New Balance Minimus and I have zero complaints about them. They are light yet comfortable, they keep your feet cool, they hold up better than I expected and they are somewhat water resistant. Also the Vibram soles are great.
 
I tried the saucony minimlist shoes but moved to keens and i still run in the saucony but i dont see much of a weight difference but the keens work better for dg i think and the saucony are better for running.
 
These New Balance 573's are trail running shoes and they work great for me. Had them about a year now with no problems

WT573GB-2T.jpg
 
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