| Turns out our last installment left a few | | | | looking sharp, a little extra care is always a good |
| unanswered questions. This Q&A covers a bit | | | | idea. |
| more ground... | | | | For starters, put them on using a shoe horn to |
| What are golf shoes made of? | | | | protect the heel counter and avoid blistering. After |
| A whole host of natural and synthetic materials | | | | the round, wipe down leather or synthetic uppers |
| make up an ordinary golf shoe. Aside from leather | | | | with a shoe cleaner or mild soap and water. If |
| - real or faux - the short list includes thermoplastic | | | | your shoes are white, use an appropriately |
| urethane (TPU), ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), and | | | | colored cleaner to remove blemishes like scuff |
| silicone. These space-age products are used to | | | | marks. Polish white or dark shoes after cleaning. |
| form soles, heels, liners, tongues, collars and other | | | | Treat nubuck leather - the kind with a soft, |
| parts and pieces. | | | | fibrous texture - with a specially made cleaner |
| I'm a casual kind of guy. Are there golf shoes | | | | and brush. By all means, follow the instructions. |
| made to match my personality? | | | | For soaked shoes, stuff some newspaper inside |
| Are sandals casual enough for you? How about | | | | to absorb the moisture. Using a hair dryer or |
| flip-flops? | | | | sticking your shoes next to a heat source are |
| Some golf sandals don't include spikes, but most | | | | strongly discouraged. Shoe trees are highly |
| do. And yes, they strap on tight enough to | | | | recommended. |
| provide ample stability. Golf flip-flops could prove a | | | | How often should I change my spikes? |
| little trickier, but hey, if you're that laid-back then | | | | Every three months, or 3,000 miles. |
| surely you have an easy-going swing. | | | | Make that every 10-15 rounds of golf, according |
| Gals who'd rather not dress to the nines for a | | | | to the spike manufacturers. Depending on your |
| quick nine can opt for golf sandals, too. A simple | | | | gait, spikes on different areas of your soles may |
| web search will turn up dozens of styles. | | | | wear out faster. Check them every so often and |
| Is it a hassle to break in new golf shoes? | | | | swap out any spikes that have lost more than a |
| Generally, not at all. Depending on how well they | | | | quarter or so of length. |
| fit, many are comfortable right out of the box. | | | | Is replacing spikes a difficult process? |
| For those that feel a little stiff, the best way to | | | | It's a lot easier than changing your oil. In fact, |
| break them in is simply to wear them. | | | | replacing plastic cleats is a snap compared with |
| Unfortunately, spikes make golf shoes less than | | | | the old metal ones. All it takes is a ratchet-like tool |
| ideal indoors, but if you're not embarrassed | | | | made specifically for the job, a couple of twists |
| wearing them in the yard, that's one easy trick. | | | | to pop out the old, a couple more to screw in the |
| Are golf shoes high-maintenance? | | | | new, and voila - your traction is back. |
| If you want to keep any nice pair of shoes | | | | |