The Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour Golf Shoe Is Inspired by Running Sneakers
Nike collaborated with two-time PGA champ Brooks Koepka on the new kicks, which it calls the “most innovative golf shoe yet.”
On the same day that tee time-minded Air Max 97 G hit stores, Nike announced the Air Zoom Infinity Tour golf/running shoe.
Billed as the athletic wear brand’s “most innovative golf shoe yet,” the silhouette was born of a collaboration with 2018 and 2019 PGA champ Brooks Koepka, who asked for a runner that was also suited to the links. Designers went to work on something that would redistribute some of the energy lost during a golfer’s swing—Kopeka himself moves the club at up to 128 mph—by analyzing pressure maps.
Per Nike:
Designers looked at where traction elements need to be positioned on the shoe for an ultimate return on movement. Developing a holistic system that transfers more power up the kinetic chain, Nike obsessed the areas of fit (to reduce in-shoe movement), ride (for maximum energy retention) and traction (for zero slip in any direction).
Drawing from existing technology featured in Nike’s varied lineup of sportswear, the Air Zoom Infinity Zoom leverages Nike Zoom Stroble technology and a moderator plate, first tested on court by Kevin Durant in Nike Basketball’s KD12, to provide structure and comfort, as well as enhance energy return.
It also boasts weather-resistant Nike Flyknit, which was first introduced by Nike Soccer’s Mercurial Superfly and Vapor 360 Boo, and utilizes Nike REACT foam from the React Infinity Run Flyknit for cushioning.
All of these components apparently do make a difference. Nike says that Koepka’s swing was clocked as faster when he was wearing the new sneaks than it was while he was wearing the Nike Tour Premieres that helped him secure his previous majors titles.
What’s more, Golf.com reports that Koepka shot a 66 while rocking the new kicks in the first round of the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, and proceeded to hit a lackluster 75 during round two in the old model.
You can find out if the Air Zoom Infinity Tour improves your golf game when they hit Nike’s website on April 1.
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