These days there is an ever-growing market for golf shoes which perform on the course, but look like a casual trainer. Step forward the New Balance Heritage Golf Shoe.
This shoe is modelled on one of the brand’s existing shoe models. It’s designed to be flexible for on and off course use.
As the weather has started to warm up, I took them out on to the golf course to see how they performed.
Who Are They Aimed At?
The Heritage is a perfect shoe for golfers who don’t want to wear ‘traditional’ shoes out on the course. They combine the looks of a trainer, but with added technology to make walking and swinging easy.
They’re ideal for golfers who don’t want to have to switch shoes before and after the round to go into the bar. They’d also be a great option for summer months or for golf trips, playing in warm and dry conditions.
Despite looking more like a trainer, a £169 RRP puts them in quite a high price bracket usually reserved for tech-packed options.
The Tech
The Heritage shoe features a waterproof microfibre leather and performance mesh upper, offering a combination of protection and breathability.
The NDurance rubber outsole is engineered to move with the natural motion of your foot. This is said to enhance flexibility and comfort during your swing.
It includes FastTwist 3.0 removable Pulsar cleats. These are what provides the traction, and are said to be easy to replace.
The DynaSoft midsole has a 10mm drop and delivers lightweight cushioning with premium responsiveness for all-day performance. Inside, the CUSH+ insole enhances comfort even further.
The shoe also comes with a one-year waterproof warranty for added peace of mind.
They’re available in a wide range of sizes, from 7 up to 14. For those in the US, you also get the choice of Standard, Wide and X-Wide which is a nice bonus.
New Balance Heritage Golf Shoe Review
Looks
Last year I tested the New Balance 997 SL and mentioned that, from a distance, you would think that they were trainers. The same goes for the Heritage shoe, especially in the grey colourway that I tested.
They’re a great looking shoe bearing all of the hallmarks of a classic New Balance trainer. They’re able to pair really well with both trousers and shorts.
The suede-style finish on the upper will probably have you thinking that these are best used in dry, summer conditions as that will make it easier to keep clean. This is still sensible, although they are said to be waterproof and I was surprised at how easy it’s been to keep them clean so far.
The waterproof mesh on the toe section feels more sturdy than a usual trainer, which should help this too.
You do get quite large, thick white laces included as standard. I found that these stand out and catch the eye whilst walking and even addressing the ball, and I couldn’t help but feel that they were a bit cheap.
Performance
As you’d expect, the Heritage shoes are a little bulkier than a normal trainer in size and weight. I’d still class them as a lightweight summer shoe, but I have tested other models which are lighter in the last 12 months. The Adidas S2G and New Balance’s own 997 SL are two that spring to mind.
They were comfortable pretty much straight away out of the box. They felt roomy but still very supportive straight away, wrapping around the foot nicely. It felt as if I’d been wearing them for months already, and they were perfectly true to size too.
Having worn them on a relatively warm day, I’d say the breathability was good but not great. Considering I’m going to wear these shoes more often in the summer, I thought they would feel a little more ventilated – but perhaps that’s the price you have to pay for waterproof protection!
The Heritage model I tested were spiked, which offers really nice traction and stability. There are also spikeless options available too now, which increase the versatility.
I can imagine the spikeless model being a perfect option for a golf trip, because you can put them on in the morning, play golf and have a bite to eat afterwards, all without having to think about changing shoes.
New Balance Heritage Golf Shoe Verdict
The Heritage shoes provided really good comfort straight out of the box, which made walking and playing golf a breeze. They’re the perfect option for the warmer months both in terms of style and performance.
They look great too, especially for those golfers who want that blend of on-off course versatility. They essentially felt like a more sturdy version of a New Balance trainer, with the addition of spikes to provide a bit more grip.
One thing that does let these shoes down is the value for money. I was surprised by how expensive they were, with an RRP of around £169.
Whilst the overall build quality was decent, it wasn’t outstanding, and I still do have some concerns about how quickly they’re going to wear.
Would I Use Them?
I would, although I’m not sure I’d pay the full £169 price if it was my own money.
