Matt Fitzpatrick has surged to No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking thanks to a pair of wins in the span of just a month, securing victories at the Valspar Championship in March and last weekend at the RBC Heritage. And he did it all while wearing Skechers golf shoes.

If you’re unfamiliar with the golf brand Tomo, let us have the honor of introducing you to the maker of what one golf staffer claims is the most comfortable golf shoe he’s ever worn. In 2024, GOLF’s Connor Federico sang the praises of the Tomo Alpha. Foot pain was a formerly constant annoyance for Federico, until he laced up a pair of Alphas.

“The shoes are lightweight, feature a wide base and come equipped with pillowy insoles, making them comfortable even for your first time wearing them,” he wrote. “No need to break ’em in.”

In addition to an array of shoes, the San Diego-based Tomo also produces a number of nifty accessories, like headcovers, towels, tees and one outrageously cool divot-repair tool. Everything Tomo makes features elevated craftsmanship and unique looks. Consider the Koi Utility Towel, which not only looks like a piece of art hanging on your bag, but also doubles as a club cleaner with a hidden water pocket. Tomo’s ball markers are also beautifully detailed, with one in particular stealing the show. (Hint: it’s called The Mountain, and is true to its name.)

There are five-dozen Tomo products currently available at Fairway Jockey, but if shoes are what you’re after, we have good news for you. For a limited time, you can enjoy 30 percent off your Tomo footwear purchase. Yes, even the Alpha! But hurry — this deal is so special that it won’t last for long. Check out a selection of shoes on sale below, and to shop all Tomo products at Fairway Jockey, click here.

Shop Tomo Golf shoe sale at Fairway Jockey

Tomo Alpha

The next generation of our waterproof golf shoes. A single layer knit infused with FLEX tech in the insole and midsole for the most light, comfortable walk you’ll ever have on the golf course.
SMART KNIT
A waterproof knit that is woven with variable density. Providing stability where you need it, and flexibility where you don’t.
LIGHT AND SOFT
The FLEX-infused insole minimizes ground impact on your feet and body while allowing you to feel the contours of the green. AMAZING!
SOLE POWER
Infused with FLEX Tech, these soles are soft and bouncy. Energy returns with every step allowing you to walk effortlessly and #stepintowonder
LIGHTWEIGHT
Less is more at only 10.9 oz. Your feet will never get tired in these pillow-y shoes.

$165.00
$115.00 from Fairway Jockey

View Product

Tomo Bravo

The little brother to our big brother Alpha. A light weight, breathable comfort machine! A true minimalist’s dream in that it weights only 8.5oz and with a single layered knit upper your feet will be singing after 18 holes of play.
SMART KNIT
A waterproof knit that is woven with variable density. Providing stability where you need it, and flexibility where you don’t.
LIGHT AND SOFT
The FLEX-infused insole minimizes ground impact on your feet and body while allowing you to feel the contours of the green. AMAZING!
SOLE POWER
Infused with FLEX Tech, these soles are soft and bouncy. Energy returns with every step allowing you to walk effortlessly and #stepintowonder
LIGHTWEIGHT
Less is more at only 8.5 oz. Your feet will never get tired in these pillow-y shoes.

$110.00
$77.00 from Fairway Jockey

View Product

Source link

Let’s be honest—we could probably all do with learning how to clean our golf balls and other golf equipment better to make them last longer.

If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place. Golf equipment can be expensive, so it pays to look after it.

How do you clean golf balls?

While most of us leave our balls in the bottom pocket of our golf bags until we let one slip out of bounds, there’s a better way forward, both for the longevity of the ball and its dazzling appearance.

• The most tried-and-tested method is to get a bucket of warm water and mix some soap into it. A wipe with a damp cloth should remove any excess dirt. If you want to try a bit harder, a toothbrush or soft-bristled brush should do the job. One final rinse should have them looking close to new again.
• If that hasn’t worked, soak your golf balls in a bucket of water and add some white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, bleach or OxiClean (a mix of hydrogen peroxide and washing soda). Soak the balls for up to half an hour, but no longer, to avoid them becoming waterlogged. Again, a cloth or a soft-bristled brush should remove any remaining dirt. This method is considered one step up from the more traditional soap and water combination. 
• You don’t have to search very far before finding a photo of a load of golf balls in a dishwasher. But does it actually work? It has been tested many times, and it appears that the placement of the balls in your dishwasher doesn’t matter—the results are great. It should be noted that if you have a ‘Heated Dry’ cycle, it’s advisable to turn this off, as lengthy heat exposure and golf balls aren’t a good mix. This seems a particularly easy way to get old golf balls looking like new again.
• If you’re looking to remove your permanent marker lines, rubbing alcohol, acetone, or nail polish remover is your best bet. Rubbing alcohol is the gentlest of these solutions, while acetone is the harshest. If applying the latter, use gloves and take care when handling it.  

What not to do when cleaning your golf balls

When cleaning your golf balls, don’t…

• Soak the balls for too long 
• Leave them in the sun for too long, as this could change the internal compression, which will impact how the ball reacts off the clubface
• Use undiluted bleach, as this might have an unwanted effect on the ball’s outer layer 
• Use a sharp metal brush or too stiff a bristled brush, as you might scratch the surface of the ball or damage the outer layer, both of which will impact the performance of the ball 

How to clean golf shoes

Proper golf shoes are a significant investment, and with some straightforward care, you can easily prolong their lifespan, feel and performance.

FootJoy is the No. 1 golf shoe brand and offers valuable tips and advice on caring for your golf shoes. Some of the following will be alarmingly familiar…

• FootJoy suggest rotating your golf shoes, as two pairs of shoes will last more than twice the length of time one pair will
• Use a shoe horn when putting on your shoes to protect the heel. Damage to the heel can cause a poor fit and often leads to blistering 
• FootJoy strongly recommend leaving a shoe tree in your shoes when you’re not playing
• Don’t over-tighten your cleats, and check on them after each round 
• Don’t store your golf shoes in the boot of your car, as high temperatures will break down the materials over time

What to do with your golf shoes after a round

Always remove any dirt from your shoes straight after a round. Make the most of the air dryer if possible, and remove any residue, which will make the post-round clean much easier. Wet wipes are also a great way to give your golf shoes a thorough clean. A soft brush and warm water with soap/Fairy Liquid will also reach the tricky spots.

Tip: For optimal cleaning, remove the laces and inner soles to give your shoes the best chance of looking and performing at their best. When drying, place them in an airing cupboard or a well-ventilated area indoors, rather than in direct sunlight. Never use a hairdryer, as excessive heat can damage the uppers and outsoles.

Given that we live in the UK, we often play golf in the rain, so we must take care of our shoes. After cleaning, place a newspaper inside the shoes for approximately 8-10 hours to absorb excess water. Then, use the shoe tree to help the shoes return to their standard shape.

FootJoy offers a Wax Shoe Polish perfect for looking after high-quality leather and giving your shoes a lasting shine. However, remember that this is a polish, not a cleaning product, so ensure your shoes are as clean as possible before applying it.

How to clean golf gloves

Like with your shoes, it’s a good idea to have a few pairs of golf gloves on rotation to extend the lifespan of each of them. 

If you’re hitting balls on the range, there’s not necessarily any need to use one of your finest Cabretta leather offerings for this. Instead, it’s worth considering a synthetic glove for practice, as they’re more resistant to repeated use, and leather gloves certainly lose their effectiveness when used in high temperatures and sweating.

Air your golf gloves out as often as possible. Some golf bags even have a Velcro tab to let you attach your glove, which certainly helps you get the most out of them.

While Tour pros may change gloves every round or so, a decent glove should last you for 15-20 rounds at least. You can achieve this by not stuffing it in the bottom of your bag with the rest of your gear. There’s a chance that it might get punctured on the tees, and when folded up, your gloves will lose their shape and become crusty.

Remember how it felt when you first put that leather glove on? Well, put it back in your bag the same way that it came out. Stretch it back to its original shape and place it flat away from your other bits or, ideally, in the packet it came in.

And when it gets wet, that doesn’t necessarily spell the end of its lifespan. However, never use a hairdryer or put it on a radiator—instead, use your airing cupboard or just let it dry out naturally to help it back to its original shape.

Most leather gloves are not machine washable, either, so only gently hand-wash your favourite leather gloves with a mild detergent, and always air-dry afterwards. 

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care

In addition to ensuring your golf equipment is kept in top condition, you may also want to consider protecting it with specialist golf insurance.

Through Golf Care, policies include Equipment Cover up to £7,500 and Public Liability up to £10m, so you can play golf with peace of mind. Get an online quote today.

Source link

In a sport like golf, having the proper equipment can make all the difference in the world.

I’ll never forget how much my first pair of golf shoes helped my golf swing. I felt I could turn my back foot much easier with golf shoes than with regular street shoes.

All of that being said, a lot of folks may wonder if golf shoes are really a necessity to play golf or simply a matter of personal preference.

In this article, we’ll investigate whether or not golf shoes are needed to play a solid round of golf. We’ll also provide a few golf shoe choices to consider.

Do Golf Courses Require You to Wear Golf Shoes?

Surprisingly, most golf courses recommend golf shoes, but they don’t require them. Keep in mind, though, that some courses are more strict with their dress codes. In other words, at least have a pair of shoes on instead of some casual flip-flops when you arrive for your round.

If you do choose to wear golf shoes, remember that most golf courses have now outlawed metal spikes to cut down on turf damage. Because of this, it’s a good idea to buy spikeless golf shoes or at least ones with plastic spikes.

Do Golf Shoes Really Make a Difference?

Yes, golf shoes can make a huge difference in your overall game and help you shoot lower scores! Let’s briefly go over some of the benefits that proper golf footwear provides.

1. Better Traction and Stability

The golf swing is a complex athletic maneuver with lots of moving parts. Golf shoes, especially those with spikes, provide golfers with a solid foundation and better grip. This helps golfers complete a full turn off their back foot without slipping and sliding.

The spikes also allow for better traction, which is incredibly important on the golf course in wet conditions. More traction means more distance off the tee!

2. Injury Prevention

The right types of golf shoes can also prevent ankle and heel injuries. Golfers with a history of ankle problems can choose high-top golf shoes for added support and protection.

If you prefer walking your entire round instead of riding in a golf cart, the right pair of golf shoes can prevent blisters thanks to their extra padding. Nothing can derail a low-scoring round faster than a bad blister!

3. Most Golf Shoes Are Waterproof

This is another essential benefit of golf shoes. Have you ever noticed how regular tennis shoes get weighed down on rainy days? That’s the last thing you need when trying to hit good shots on the golf course!

Thankfully, most golf shoes have a high level of water resistance. This is a huge help when those uninvited popup showers hit.

4. Golf Shoes Are Usually More Lightweight

A full 18-hole round of golf can take four or five hours on a busy weekend. That’s a long time to be on your feet, so golfers need types of shoes that are lightweight.

Most golf shoes are much lighter than regular street shoes, which is a huge advantage during longer rounds.

Can You Play Golf with Regular Sneakers?

Yes, even with all the added benefits of golf shoes, some folks prefer to play golf in regular sneakers. This is perfectly acceptable and not against any type of attire rules at most golf courses.

Some beginners and even some professional golfers prefer the classic comfort that regular sneakers provide. However, golf shoe manufacturers now offer so many spikeless designs that most folks can find a new pair of golf shoes that feel just like regular sneakers.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

Source link