Equipment
What are SQAIRZ golf shoes and can they really help you hit the ball farther?
SQAIRZ golf shoes are the sport’s latest footwear designed to provide golfers with the one thing every player wants: the ability to hit the ball farther.
The brand’s shoes have been independently scientifically tested by numerous organizations, including Golf Laboratories Inc. and Terry Hashimoto, Co-founder of BodiTrak, (who are one of the top golf pressure mapping manufacturers), with the results showing that SQAIRZ help golfers excel in a number of key areas.
SQAIRZ golf shoes: The data
There are two connections in golf; your hands to the club and your feet to the ground. Your feet and the interaction of the shoe on the ground provides the energy to produce swing speed. Arguably, the feet to the ground is most important connection when considering balance, stability, and swing speed.
Terry Hashimoto tested the performance of over 200 golfers of all experience and levels for months wearing their current brand and then wearing SQAIRZ golf shoes. While using some of the top swing analysis software and devices such as BodiTrak, SwingGuru, and Ernest Sports, the data showed that SQAIRZ shoes have the most surface area connection with the ground of any golf shoe on the market, and this increased surface area resulted in a greater energy exchange with the ground, better balance, and weigh distribution/transfer, the key to generating more swing speed and distance.
What results did that increased surface area in connection with the ground yield? Vast gains for all wearers of SQAIRZ shoes in vital areas pertaining to distance in the game, including swing speed, carry, ball speed, and smash factor.
The average gains for those 200 golfers wearing SQAIRZ shoes compared to other brand’s footwear was an average of an 8-yard extra carry distance, 13mph increased ball speed, 11 degree increase in hip rotation, and a greater smash factor of 7%.
SQAIRZ golf shoes: The technology
At the heart of the design behind the technologically advanced shoes is the patented squared toe.
The interior design of the square toe allows the golfer’s toes to sit comfortably in the shoe, with a wider base and a heel stabilizer designed to provide enhanced balance and stability. The square toe also allows golfers a unique freedom for their toes to sit naturally with a full range of motion and noticeable feel for the ground.
SQAIRZ testing found that added flexibility in competitive sneaker-like golf shoes promoted inversion, the foot (weight) moving to the outside of the trail foot. This is when the golfer gets stuck on the right side (for right-handed golfers) and not being able to shift the weight back to the lead side.
With the SQAIRZ golf shoe, golfers are provided with a structured upper material often used in sports such as football and soccer to provide structure for sudden weight shifts. Along with this upper material, the outsole and midsole have been optimized for the right amount of flexibility to promote efficient energy exchange and stability. In addition, SQAIRZ has engineered a heel stabilizer that keeps the heel down throughout the swing and prevents ankle roll-over injuries on all types of lies.
There are 6 removable cleats on each shoe of which 4 red cleats target the area where the greatest amount of pressure is exerted on the bottom of the feet through the swing.
The spikes are strategically place under these pressure points for optimum connection in the areas that require it most.
SQAIRZ shoes also feature the widest base and greatest amount of ground coverage of any golf shoe, which is proven to provide better balance and stability as well as offering an efficient braking power.
Braking occurs towards the end of the backswing and immediately before the ball is struck. Golfers shift the weight from the trail to lead side and this optimized braking at the right time allows for increased swing speed.
SQAIRZ developed Sta-Put laces that don’t loosen or come untied during the round, with the laces containing silicone nubs printed on the top of the lace that are designed to make the “Sta-Put” once laced.
The laces feature a durable polyester material and raised silicone squares printed down the lace in a bid to comfortably form the shoe to your foot and lock it in place.
The soles of SQAIRZ shoes also contain Circular Traction Lugs designed for proper rotational movement of your feet, and the shoes are 100% waterproof thanks to a synthetic leather material that keeps your feet dry in all conditions.
In addition to the durable material, a gusseted tongue design aids at keeping water, sand and other debris out even in the worst of conditions.
Performance Conclusion:
As outlined in the independent tests, there are several notable performance highlights:
- SQAIRZ allowed pressure to get to the trail heel portion of the foot faster during the
backswing, generating more acceleration to the lead side quicker and creating a much
greater “brake effect”, generating more vertical power on the lead side prior to impact
with impressive distance gains. - SQAIRZ’s greater balance and stability translated to less sway and better accuracy and
energy transfer. - SQAIRZ resulted in a significant increase in hip and shoulder rotation.
- SQAIRZ eliminated inefficiencies witnessed in sneaker like golf shoes.
So, can a golf shoe really help you play better golf? The data says yes.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
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 a Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made.
From the seller: (@DLong72): “Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made. ?: $1150. ?? 100% milled collectors item from the limited releases commemorating when Ping putters won every major in 1988 (88 putters made). This was the model Seve Ballesteros used to win the 1988 Open Championship. Condition is brand new, never gamed, everything is in the original packaging as it came. Putter features the iconic sound slot.
Specs/ Additional Details
-100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g)
-Original Anser Design
-PING PP58 Grip
-Putter is built to standard specs.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
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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Equipment
Inside Collin Morikawa’s recent golf ball, driver, 3-wood, and “Proto” iron changes
As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.
The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.
On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.
Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.
At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.
“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.
Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.
“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.
“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.”
In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.
On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.
According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.
“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.”
See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here.
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Equipment
Why Rory McIlroy will likely use the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper at the RBC Heritage
Although we spotted Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper last week during practice rounds at the Masters, he ultimately didn’t decide to use the club in competition.
It seems that will change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage, played at the short-and-tight Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head.
When asked on Wednesday following his morning Pro-Am if he’d be using the new, nostalgic BRNR Copper this week, McIlroy said, “I think so.”
“I like it,” McIlroy told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday regarding the BRNR. “This would be a good week for it.”
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According to Adrian Rietveld, the Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, the BRNR Mini Driver can help McIlroy position himself properly off the tee at the tight layout.
Here’s what Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday:
“For someone like Rory, who’s that long at the top end of the bag, and then you put him on a course like Harbour Town, it’s tough off the tee. It’s tight into the greens, and you have to put yourself in position off the tee to have a shot into the green. It kind of reminds me of Valderrama in Spain, where you can be in the fairway and have no shot into the green.
“I’m caddying for Tommy [Fleetwood] this week, so I was walking the course last night and looking at a few things. There’s just such a small margin for error. You can be standing in the fairway at 300 yards and have a shot, but at 320 you don’t. So if you don’t hit a perfect shot, you could be stuck behind a tree. And then if you’re back at 280, it might be a really tough shot into the small greens.
“So for Rory [with the BRNR], it’s a nice course-specific golf club for him. He’s got both shots with it; he can move it right-to-left or left-to-right. And the main thing about this club has been the accuracy and the dispersion with it. I mean, it’s been amazing for Tommy.
“This was the first event Tommy used a BRNR last year, and I remember talking to him about it, and he said he couldn’t wait to play it at Augusta next year. And he just never took it out of the bag because he’s so comfortable with it, and hitting it off the deck.
“So you look at Rory, and you want to have the tools working to your advantage out here, and the driver could hand-cuff him a bit with all of the shots you’d have to manufacture.”
So, although McIlroy might not be making a permanent switch into the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper, he’s likely to switch into it this week.
His version is lofted at 13.5 degrees, and equipped with a Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft.
See more photos of Rory testing the BRNR Mini here
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Steve
Apr 11, 2022 at 11:24 am
Shoes seem okay, but make sure you really want them before buying as their return policy will cost you more than $25. 30-day return policy has a shipping and restocking fee.
Also, shoes fit like Nike’s…..if you have a wider foot, these are not for you
d
Oct 19, 2021 at 12:20 pm
as 1 cap i can tell you for years ive been telling some high handicap golfers to stop buying soft no support “socky” shoes….as a 1 i can immediately feel loose in many shoes.
being stable is more important than
being comfortable….
LD
Oct 19, 2021 at 10:30 am
I’ve been wearing them for al this year and they are the most comfortable and stable shoes I’ve had in years. For all the negative comments, it’d be nice if you’d actually tried the shoes out so you have some credibility for your comments.
Joe
Oct 19, 2021 at 9:07 am
Absurd
KC Scott
May 13, 2022 at 11:24 pm
Why absurd? The info from the tests prove that stability comes from more surface area contact. Makes sense, and they’re gaining ground on tour as well. I’ll try a pair when my Contour FJ’s get spongy. If Nick Faldo’s involved and invested, they have to be legit.
Paulo
Oct 18, 2021 at 2:27 pm
What happens it you set up with your feet angled outwards like 99.9% of golfers?