These golf spikes have something that no other shoe has

The new one Under Armor Golf Drive Pro Clone golf spikes impressed me right out of the box. Why?

It’s probably the best looking shoe they’ve had in years, it was comfortable enough to walk in (even brand new) and they have a very unique advantage: a directional toe. I took the shoes out for their first ride “straight out of the wrapper” and have worn them several times since then. Here are my initial impressions.

Comfort outside the box

Something I absolutely do not recommend for any golfer is taking a new pair of golf shoes out of the box and wearing them on the course, especially if you are going to be walking. Use the range to warm up the shoes, go to the simulators and break them in, do something so you don’t have to undergo a brand new shoe on the golf course. That said… I took these shoes out of the box and walked 18 holes of golf in them. It was a great test because it was a surprisingly beautiful day in February, meaning there was still some snow on the ground here outside of Chicago along with water and mud in areas, so having a nice pair of spikes is a must.

I was impressed with the convenience of the new Drive Pro Clones. I haven’t had much success with Under Armor shoes in the past, but these changed the scenario. Their HOVR foam and loaded cushioning offers plenty of comfort especially in the heel, and also puts some pep in your step. The foot closes with the new Adaptive UA Clone upper and finishes molding to your foot for what feels like a custom fit.

A big comfort issue for me in golf shoes is always the heel. If it gets too stiff it rubs against the heel and creates a blister, and if it’s not supported enough it feels like the back of the foot is always moving and sliding out. The sole of the new Drive Pro Clone is structured yet soft. There’s enough padding and structure to tighten the laces and really lock into the heel comfortably without too much stiffness to cause a blister. It’s a good middle ground.

On the other side of the heel is a very wide toe box. I usually go half or order a wide pair, and to be honest, I forgot to ask the crew about it, but I’m glad it worked out. There is plenty of room in the toe box without feeling spacious. The benefit is that you can be more particular about how tightly you tie the laces. After talking to friends and other players, it’s actually quite common for different people to prefer different levels of lace tightness, and having a little more room in the front allows everyone to close those laces a little more to secure the top of the foot.

In some shoes I can’t tighten the laces as much as I’d like because the toe box is too limited, but for these it’s not a problem. Combine that with the new UA Clone upper and Swing Support Strap saddle system, and you’ve got a snug, locked-in feel.

Withdrawal. Everywhere. All the time.

A major advantage of any Under Armor spiked shoe is their Collaboration S3 spike with the team at Softspikes. The S-3 is a directional toe that provides a greater amount of traction when moving laterally in the swing, and it’s absolutely a different feel and has always been my favorite part of any Under Armor shoe. The amount of “closed feel” you get from an Under Armor shoe as you shift your weight to the forefoot is truly more than any other I’ve tested.

Under Armor Softspikes Pro Pack

The Tour Flex Pro is the perfect combination of traction, comfort and performance with ten contact points and three degrees of traction. The Under Armor S3 adds an extra level of balance and traction. The combination of these two studs provides maximum traction, slip resistance and energy distribution all the way through every swing. This top configuration can be found in the UA Drive Pro 2024.

There are some other shoes that may have better rolling ability in the back of the foot, or a footbed that gives you more control over the ground itself, but in my opinion there is no better lateral traction shoe. The Spike S-3 is a real difference maker.

Because the shoe also has a beautiful studded pattern that is filled with Tour Flex Pro in areas not covered by an S-3 top, you also get plenty of titled traction, which means that when you’re standing on sidehill lies, or any other lies where your feet aren’t perfectly level, you won’t feel like you’re off balance or sliding out.

Become a fan

Shoes can be a bit of a strange category because many players are loyal to one brand when it comes to shoes. I’m in a position where I can try a lot of different options, so I can see the pros and cons of them all. I will say that if you are someone who has been loyal to another athletic style company’s shoes like Adidas, Puma, or Nike, Under Armour’s offerings are definitely worth checking out. There really is something about the S3 spike specifically. Everything has its pros and cons, but this top is a really big pro for players who want as much eye-catching technology as possible.

One last final note – shoes are great for adverse weather conditions. Being comfortable and providing more traction is even more important in inclement weather and the shoes have a 1-year waterproof warranty. I’ve played several rounds in the rain and mud here in the early golf season and my feet have been nothing but dry and protected (even with my childish instincts to wade through puddles). If bad weather is another box to check for your game, the new Drive Pro Clones have you covered.

The Under Armor Drive Pro clones are available at most golf retailers or on their website for a retail price of $180.00. These are just initial impressions, but I will be bringing these shoes, and these shoes alone, with me on a future golf trip. Stay tuned with Created for Range AND Fully equipped instagram handles for updates.

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