There is a lot of cool gear in the golf equipment world that doesn’t always fit neatly into Most Wanted Tests or Buyer’s Guides. You still want to know how it performs. In our We Tried It series, we put gear to the test and let you know if it works as advertised.
What We Tried:
G/FORE G.112 golf shoes—the newest golf shoe from the luxury golf shoe brand which prides itself on their disruptive designs.
Who Tried It:
Connor. Director of Soft Goods Testing and resident sneakerhead. I believe golf is better with a pair of cool shoes and comfortable joggers. I’ve never worn a pair of G/FORE golf shoes so there’s no time like the present!
The Deets
- New for 2023
- Retail at $225
- Available for both men and women (points for inclusivity)
- Polyurethane leather construction
- Massaging cushioned insole
G/FORE’s Disruptive Design
It’s been years since G/FORE has come out with a new silhouette. And, man, did the G.112 make quite an entrance. Between advertisements featuring the G.112 next to nude models (seriously) and captivating spikeless design, the G.112 has had my attention from the jump.
I just had to try this one.
Based on my findings, I’m fairly confident the G/FORE G.112 will be the top performer in the brand’s golf shoe lineup.
Intrigued? You should be. Here’s my full review of the G/FORE G.112 golf shoes.
Spikeless Traction That’s Full of Spikes
Let’s start off with a paradox! While the G.112 is considered a spikeless golf shoe in the traditional sense, its traction pattern is essentially a plethora of miniature spikes. No, not golf spikes, actual spikes … pointy, pokey things that feel like they could do some damage.
Besides looking absolutely ridiculous (I’ll let you decide if that’s said in a positive or negative light), the traction holds up very, very well. In both dry and wet conditions, the G/FORE G.112 provided excellent traction.
No joke, the spikeless spikes did their job.
Comfortable(ish)
A good golf shoe has to be comfortable. Between the plush P.U. leather upper and the EVA foam midsole, the G.112 provides a comfortable walking experience. That said, there’s one thing about the G.112 that you’re either going to love or hate: the massaging insole.
This unique, wavy insole is extremely cushioned but also extremely unnatural when walking. The thing is, you’re either going to love how it feels or it’s going to annoy you to the point where you can’t wear them anymore. I fell somewhere in between. At first, the feeling was very weird, almost unnatural. But after some time, I can see why a golfer would like such an insole.
Luckily, if you pick up a pair of the G.112 golf shoes and can’t stand the insole, you can always swap it out for your favorite orthotics.
Love ‘Em or Hate ‘Em
The theme of the G/FORE G.112? Love ‘em or hate ‘em. In every design choice and performance aspect of the shoe, you’re either going to really like them or want to stay far away from them.
A shoe this polarizing in form and function is surely disruptive. I’ll consider that a win for G/FORE’s goal to be an intersection of “modern design, youthful energy and rich tradition”.
As for me and my thoughts, I’m on the former side. I think the design is unique (and sorta cool) and I loved the traction and comfort of the G/FORE G.112.
