Equipment
Is the CAGE ECCO’s next big golf shoe?
Let’s say you’re in the midst of a remarkable run as a leader in the golf shoe industry, based in part due to your ability to own and manage every aspect of its leather and shoe production, as well as retail sales. And let’s further hypothesize that your bullpen of world-renowned playing professionals wearing your shoes across the globe includes the likes of Fred Couples, Ernie Els and Graeme McDowell, among others.
And finally, imagine you have a long line of loyal customers dedicated to your products because of the consistent quality of those same products. What’s next for a company like that?
ECCO CAGE in White/Black/Red ($200)
For ECCO, it’s the CAGE golf shoes, a cleated model designed to be every bit as comfortable as your favorite pair of footwear. Aiming for the sweet spot of classic styling, comfort and stability, ECCO employed its state-of-the-art direct injection wrap system (DiP) to give the shoe a “cage,” which looks a lot like webbing. It works its way from the heel to the midsole and ultimately to the toe box of the shoe, and allows the upper and outsole portions of the shoe to bond without the use of glue or stitching of any kind. The one-piece construction allows for increased swing stability, flexibility when walking, and less movement overall when shifting your weight during the golf swing, according to ECCO, as well as increased memory and a water-tight seal.
There are two different CAGE models, the CAGE CAGE EVO (pictured below, and soon-to-be tested by GolfWRX Members), which uses a textile, or multi-material upper. It’s otherwise identical to the CAGE, which has a calderra leather upper that offers a broken-in feel and toughness.
ECCO CAGE EVO in Bermuda Blue ($190).
Rounding out its features, the CAGE is anatomically designed to provide an outsole that aligns and moves with your foot. There’s no glue, no “cement,” and nothing piecemeal about the CAGE’s one-piece design, which ECCO says helps the shoes move “in unison with the foot’s essential ligaments and muscles.” The CAGE may not improve your footwork, but it can’t hurt.
For some golfers, the CAGE’s traction elements could be the most important part of the discussion. The company has made itself synonymous with top-of-the-line spikeless golf shoes, but the CAGE is unapologetically a cleated golf shoe, using Champ’s Slim-Lok soft spikes to appeal to golfers seeking maximum traction on the course. The shoes also employ ECCO’s HYDROMAX leather treatment, which will keep your feet dry in the heaviest dew.
ECCO CAGE in Black ($200)
Unlike other golf shoe companies, ECCO isn’t driven to get its stable of players to only wear its newest product. Instead, the company leaves that decision to the individual to determine what best fits their game. For example, Graeme McDowell has historically been loyal to the World Class line, given his sense of style. Ernie Els, on the other hand, has shown broad allegiance to various types of shoes found in the Hybrid line.
As a result, the CAGE has yet to be worn by anyone other than PGA Tour member Will Wilcox, but don’t be surprised to see any number of ECCO’s tour stars wearing them soon.
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- Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X
Hybrid: Ping G430 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 TX
Irons: Ping iCrossover (2), Titleist T100 (4-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 9 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-12F, 56-12D, 60-08M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X
Putter: Bettinardi SS16 Dass
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Alex Fitzpatrick’s clubs here.
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In our forums, our members have been discussing Mini-Drivers and accompanying shafts. WRXer ‘JamesFisher1990’ is about to purchase a BRNR Mini and is torn on what shaft weight to use, and our members have been sharing their thoughts and set ups in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- PARETO: “New BRNR at 13.5. Took it over to TXG (Club Champ but TXG will always rule) in Calgary for a fit. Took the head down to 12, stuck in a Graphite Design AD at 3 wood length and 60g. Presto- numbers that rivaled my G430Max but with waaaaay tighter dispersion. Win.”
- driveandputtmachine: “Still playing a MIni 300. The head was only 208, so I ordered a heavier weight and play it at 3 wood length. I am playing a Ventus Red 70. I play 70 grams in my fairways. I use it mainly to hit draws off the tee. When I combine me, a driver, and trying to hit a draw it does not work out well most of the time. So the MIni is for that. As an aside, I have not hit the newest BRNR, but the previous model wasn’t great off the deck. The 300 Mini is very good off the deck.”
- JAM01: “Ok, just put the BRNR in the bag along side a QI10 max and a QI10 3 wood. A load of top end redundancy. But, I have several holes at my two home courses where the flight and accuracy of the mini driver helps immensely. Mine is stock Proforce 65 at 13.5, I could see a heavier shaft, but to normal flex, as a nice alternative.”
Entire Thread: “What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for an Artisan 0521 custom putter
From the seller: (@Nobody2): “$775 -Artisan 0521 custom putter PVD (black finish) with sweep neck hosel. There are no personal stampings other than my player # in very small print on the side of the hosel (all Artisan products have this along with the date it was made). This putter looks absolutely amazing and has only been used for 3 rounds. It has a black steel shaft and has a very Cam Smith look to it. The putter looks new and has no wear marks anywhere on the putter. It comes with extra weights (one set of of 5 gram weights and one set of 15 gram weights). The head cover is a a navy blue ‘quilted blade putter cover.’ If you are wondering why I am selling…I flat out have the yips and the only thing saving me is a broomstick. New, this putter is $1085, so if the specs work for you (grip, length and lie can certainly be tweaked) it will save you some good money and 2 month wait time.
Specs:
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Artisan 0521 custom putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Josh
May 23, 2016 at 5:51 pm
These look how I imagine golf shoes made by Crocs would look
j
May 19, 2016 at 8:33 am
So ugly would never buy
Dj
May 19, 2016 at 12:03 am
Some of the ugliest I’ve seen.
Joey5Picks
May 18, 2016 at 9:18 pm
“Is the CAGE ECCO’s next big golf shoe?”
No.
MP-4
May 18, 2016 at 5:43 pm
CAGE ECCO a.k.a. the CROCK ECCO?
No they are too gimmicky looking.
Way too much form over function.
Although the top mesh on the CAGE EVO isn’t so bad.
On my second pair of BIOM Hybrids. Best shoe ever.
SB
May 18, 2016 at 3:31 pm
no
Jake
May 18, 2016 at 7:08 pm
No
CCShop
May 18, 2016 at 2:48 pm
EVO looks like a rip off the Hyperflex. The first gen Ecco is still the best
John Krug
May 18, 2016 at 1:23 pm
The article should have described the last of the shoe. For example wide in front, narrow at the back.
Bar
May 18, 2016 at 10:52 am
Are they going to make them in half sizes. Bought Bioms and nearly had my ankles amputated. Not for me until they show a bit more interest in their customers.
Desmond
May 18, 2016 at 3:49 pm
If you go from a 44 to 45 – it’s a half size for me.
Scott
May 19, 2016 at 12:12 pm
I love Ecco shoes. However, sizing can be trying. At one point I owed a 45, 46, and 47 for 3 different styles. It is hard to buy Ecco shoes on line.
Bar
May 18, 2016 at 10:49 am
Are they going to make them in half sizes. Bought Bioms and nearly had my heels amputated. No thanks.
Carlos Danger
May 18, 2016 at 9:16 am
Huge fan of the ECCOs. Have a pair of Hybrid and the Biom. They are as or more comfortable than any shoe I own including slippers etc…
The only down side to the pairs I have owned is that they are not necessarily a pair of shoes I would wear in wet conditions, even if its just a dewey morning. They seem to absorb moisture opposed to resisting it. My hybrids actually look like a stepped in a puddle if its super hot out and I am sweating alot.
Desmond
May 18, 2016 at 8:49 am
I find the BIOM line very comfortable – Hybrid 2 and BIOM Lace (cleated), and would tend not to deviate from BIOM, which does not have much cushion, which I like, because I use my feet to read the greens.
In the Cage, I think the white on Blue looks good, as does the Black. The gray Cage on white is not to my taste. I would think the Cage is very stable. My bet is the cushion here is still in the insole as it is in the Hybrid 2. At $190 (Evo) and $200, my first preference would be to find a Biom Lace on sale ($240 retail) if I wanted cleats – the Lace is very comfortable. If you do not want cleats, the Biom Hybrid 2 GTX with Goretex is the shoe.
KJ
May 18, 2016 at 8:41 am
Ecco makes great shoes…but for the most part they are just not very stylish.
Nath
May 18, 2016 at 8:23 am
Yea, i’ll give these a go.
Now where in aus can i find em?
Mikec
May 18, 2016 at 7:50 am
I tried these on and hated them. Big miss IMO for Ecco, just like their zero (or whatever they were called). Leather is too firm. Plus the overall look is just plain ugly. That being said, with the exception of the BIOM Hyrbrid, not a fan of the new BIOM cleated either. Still gaming the first generation BIOM cleated and hybrid as if you take care of them, the YAK leather lasts forever.
TCJ
May 18, 2016 at 10:02 am
Agreed, first gen bioms are awesome! I should of picked up some hybrids when I had the chance…