Why Nike Shoes Are Taking Over the World of Golf: The Surprising Dominance of Top Players
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Why Nike Shoes Are Taking Over the World of Golf: The Surprising Dominance of Top Players

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Why Nike Shoes Are Taking Over the World of Golf: The Surprising Dominance of Top Players

Did you know that Nike shoes dominate the feet of the world’s best golfers?

I’m weird.

I spend my free time looking at feet. Er, well, what’s on the feet to be more precise.

And after taking a gander at what the top professional golfers are wearing, I noticed an interesting trend.

Five of the 10 best golfers in the world (according to the OWGR) are wearing NIKE shoes. The next closest brand (FJ) has no more than two.

Here’s the thing. Four of the five are paid to wear them. One (Tommy Fleetwood) is not, since his contract with the Swoosh ended in January.

If anything, I think this presents us with a unique thought: Is NIKE the best at identifying talent? Or, rather, identifying it early?

NIKE had Scottie Scheffler locked down before he became Scottie Scheffler.

Scottie Scheffler wearing Nike shoes at the PGA Tour event

Chris Gotterup has already won TWICE this year, bringing his total to four since becoming a full-time member of the PGA Tour in 2024.

We all know how McIlroy’s career has played out.

The fact of the matter is that no one is having a better run in footwear right now than NIKE Golf.

What’s on the feet of the top 10 golfers in the world?

PLAYERSHOE
Scottie SchefflerNIKE Victory Pro 4
Rory McIlroyNIKE Victory Tour 4
Justin RosePAYNTR Tour Proto RS
Tommy FleetwoodNIKE Victory Pro 4
Chris GotterupNIKE Victory Pro 4
Russell HenleyFootJoy Tour Alpha
J.J. SpaunPUMA Ignite Elevate 2
Robert MacIntyreNIKE Victory Tour 3
Ben GriffinFootJoy Premiere Series
Xander Schauffeleadidas TOUR360

For You

For You

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Connor Lindeman

Connor Lindeman

Connor Lindeman

Connor is MyGolfSpy's resident sneakerhead and the authority on all things golf shoe performance. He's tested over 150 different pairs (and counting). When he isn't scrolling Twitter to find his next golf shoe purchase, you can find him at the piano or trying a new dessert place with his wife and daughter. #Lefty

Connor Lindeman

Connor Lindeman

Connor Lindeman

Connor Lindeman

Connor Lindeman





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      Scott Skywalker

      4 months ago

      Somehow, Bryson, Patrick Reed (two wins this year), and John Rahm are not in this discussion – how are your defining the “Top 10” in the world?

      Reply

      LF

      4 months ago

      After years of ignoring Nike golf shoes because I could never find the right fit for my feet, I took a flyer on a pair of Victory Pro 4’s because I kept seeing so many tour guys in this shoe. I’m pleasantly surprised how great these are. Perfect blend of comfort and stability.

      Reply

      WYBob

      4 months ago

      Nike is a marketing company. It outsources almost all of the production of their shoes to Asian manufactures. I have yet to find a Nike shoe that fits my foot well, or is as comfortable as several other brands like Payntr, Adidas, or Ecco. It gets down to the Last, and whichever ones Nike uses is just not a good fit for my feet (pun intended). Comfort and stability are my key decision criteria, and Nike always falls short for me. What pros whom are paid to wear them has absolutely no bearing on my choices in footwear. Glad to hear Nike is finally improving their shoes, but it’s a hard pass for me regardless.

      Reply

      Bag advice Man 2024

      4 months ago

      Ha ha, you think Nike is unique in this regard? I just looked at my Eccos and, well, i got some bad news for you..
      Nike high end stuff is as good as anyone’s. In golf, running, and probably many other sports. Do they sell lots of high volume filler? Sure, so does adidas, NB, etc. It’s called business.

      Reply

      WYBob

      4 months ago

      My comments were more about comfort and fit, not place of manufacture per se. I have tried their footwear products across multiple sports and their shoes just don’t fit my foot well. Until recently, they had some well documented quality issues when compared with the best brands. It appears they may have remedied that, so if you fit into their shoes and like the brand, good on you. That said, they are a marketing company and they are paying substantial sums for athlete endorsements which trickle down into the price you pay. That too is business.

      Ernie NOT Els

      4 months ago

      I am a golf shoe hoarder. Nike, Foot-Joy, Adidas, New Balance, Sun Day Red. Most of the shoes I own are overwhelmingly Nikes. And this is in spite of the fact that I wear wide shoes and Nike offers limited choices in wide widths. So, I struggle sometimes getting them to fit well, but when they do, they are the most comfortable shoes out there with excellent performance.

      Reply

      Hopp Man

      4 months ago

      Tommy Fleetwood is no longer under clothing contract with Nike, it will be interesting to see if he still wears Nike shoes. He is wearing a bunch of Pebble Beach clothing from the shops around PB during the ATT.

      Reply

      Howzit Justin

      4 months ago

      I can’t be the only one shocked that the company with the biggest marketing budget is taking over

      Reply

      joselo

      4 months ago

      i love my 4 pairs of victory Tours, excellent shoe and very comformable

      Reply

      Chris

      4 months ago

      100%

      Reply

      Linc Jones

      4 months ago

      Alternative take: Pro golfers will wear whatever they get paid to wear and thus their equipment choices are largely irrelevant.

      Reply

      CB

      4 months ago

      Bingo

      Reply

      Jeff Murphy

      4 months ago

      How does this happen since Nike grades out so poorly year after year in MGS testing?

      Reply

      Connor Lindeman

      4 months ago

      The new stuff is much better. Victory Pro 4 will be in the test this year and I’ll bet it grades out much better

      Reply

      Steve P

      4 months ago

      The Victory Pro 4 is one of the most comfortable golf shoes I have ever worn.
      It’s not a surprise that so many world class player’s are wearing Nike now. (lot’s of them are not on staff)

      Reply

      Connor Lindeman

      4 months ago

      Yep. It’s my go-to pair

      Reply

      Rob

      4 months ago

      It is!
      They just need to stop posting that picture of the unobstainable white/green colorway!

      Reply

      Connor Lindeman

      4 months ago

      That’s my fault haha it’s the one color I do have!!!!

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