Best Foot Forward

The shoe you are most likely to see on The European and PGA Tour this season, worn by the majority of Nike’s roster of athletes including four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy, is the Lunar Control 4. We’ll talk ‘tech’ in a minute, but what is incredibly cool from Nike is that golfers can also fully-customise the LC4 using the NikeiD tool at Nike.com – golfers can easily make their shoe totally personalised to their own style and taste,giving them a distinctivelook on the course.

Right – innovation.At more than 120mph, McIlroy’s golf swing is one of the most powerful on the professional tour. His ability to attack the ball with velocity while maintaining control over his swing arc requires strength and a strong base. When it all comes together, McIlroy declares, he’s able to “swing within himself.” This insight played a major role in the development of the Nike Lunar Control 4, which is designed to provide that ultimate base.

Like other Nike Golf designs, the Nike Lunar Control 4 leverages Nike innovations, developed across a variety of sport platforms, to meet McIlroy’s needs – and those of golf athletes at every level of the game. Dynamic Nike Flawier technology provides lateral support in the midfoot, while a few, robust external heel counter helps lock the foot in place through McIlroy’s swing.

The upper is a reengineered lightweight microfiber that provide a soft, unrestricted feel. The tongue has been redesigned to wrap ergonomically around the ankle and provide a natural break when walking. The athletic design of the Nike Lunar Control 4 is highlighted by a Swoosh logo design on the vamp, an iconic aesthetic most familiar in the Nike Mercurial football boot. This magazine has previously covered the new Nike Flyknit Elite, featuring Nike’s new Articulated Integrate Traction innovation, and this product is just one of a number of impressive looking and performing footwear Nike has at retail just now.

There’s the Nike Flyknit Chukka, which was actually debuted by McIlroy earlier this season, at the Northern Trust Open at the stunning Riviera Country Club. A revolutionary manufacturing method, Flyknit enables designers to micro-engineer every stitch of the Chukka to create a featherweight formfitting one piece upper while simultaneously reducing manufacturing waste and materials. The upper is further enhanced by Nike Flywire technology for support and lockdown, and the Chukka is now available in even more colour ways.

For the true devotees to the iconic Swoosh brand, Nike have recently released their Air Zoom 90 IT shoe – inspired by the legendary Nike Air Max 90 – as well as the Nike FI Premiere and LunarForce 1G. The new FI Premiere has a fully waterproof Flyweave upper, a flexible Nike-free inspired midsole and an outsole that uses integrated traction and four softspike cleats to provide the perfect concourse fit. The LunarForce 1G was inspired the Nike Air Force 1, and features a full-length Lunarlon cushioning with a waterproof leather upper and integrated traction using classic Nike Waffle lugs. Whatever you want from your footwear, Nike
has got you covered. All footwear available at Nike.com/golf