These golf spikes have something that no other shoes have

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

Probably the best looking shoe they’ve had in the last few years, it was comfortable enough to walk in (even brand new) and they had one very distinct advantage: a directional spike. I took the shoes out on their first tour “out of the wrapper” and have worn them many times since. Here are my initial thoughts.

Comfort comes out of the box

Something I absolutely do not recommend for any golfer is to take the new golf shoes out of the box and wear them off 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 to avoid wearing a brand new shoe on the golf course. That said… I took these shoes out of the box and went with them for 18 holes of golf. It was a big test because it was a strangely beautiful day for February, meaning there was still a little snow on the ground outside of Chicago and water and slush in places, so having a good pair of nails 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 flipped the script. Their HOVR Foam and Charge Cushioning gives you great comfort directly in the heel, and gives you less irritation in your step as well. The foot locks in place with the new Adaptive UA Clone upper and it molds to your foot for a custom fit feel.

The biggest comfort issue for me in golf shoes is always the heel section. If it’s too tight it rubs the heel and creates a blister, and if it’s not supported enough it feels like the back of the foot is constantly moving and popping out. The Drive Pro Clone heel is structured, but soft. There is enough padding and structure to tighten the laces and lock in the heel comfortably without being too firm to cause a blister. It’s a nice middle ground.

On the other side of the heel is a very open toe box. I usually go up half a size or order a wider pair, and to be honest, I forgot to ask the staff about that, but I’m glad it worked out. There is plenty of room in the toe box without feeling cramped. The advantage is that you can be very specific about how tight you tie the strings. After talking to friends and other players, it’s actually common for different people to choose different levels of lace tightening, and having more room in the front allows everyone to lock those laces a little to protect the upper foot.

In other shoes I can’t tighten the laces as much as I would like because the toe box is too tight, but this is not a problem. Combine that with the new UA Clone seatpost system and Swing Support Strap, and you have a comfortable, locked-in feel.

Pulling. All over. Each time.

One HUGE benefit of any Under Armor shoe is their S3 spike collaboration with the team at Softspikes. The 3 is a directional spike that provides an extra amount of traction when moving laterally in turns, and it has a completely different feel and has always been my favorite part of any Under Armor shoe. The amount of “locked-in feel” you get from an Under Armor shoe as you shift weight to the forefoot is truly superior to any other I’ve tested.

Softspikes Under Armor Pro Pack

The Tour Flex Pro is the perfect combination of traction, comfort, and performance with ten points of contact and three degrees of traction. The Under Armor S3 adds an extra level of balance and traction. The combination of these two studs provides superior traction, slip resistance, and power delivery throughout each turn. This spike configuration can be found in the 2024 UA Drive Pro.

There are other shoes that may have a better ability to rotate in the rear foot, or a foot bed that gives more control on the ground itself, but in my opinion there is no better shoe for lateral traction. The 3 spike is the real difference.

Because the shoe also has a good spike pattern filled by Tour Flex Pros in places not taken by the S-3 spike, you also get a lot of titled words, which means that if you are standing on the side of a false hill, or other lies where your feet are not at the perfect level, you will not feel as if you are not going out in the open or going out.

Be a follower

Shoes may be an unusual category because many players are brand loyal when it comes to shoes. I’m in a position where I get to explore many different options, to see the pros and cons of each. I will say that if you are someone who has been loyal to another athletic shoe brand like Adidas, Puma or Nike, Under Armor’s offerings are definitely worth a shot. There is definitely something to the S3 spike specifically. Everything has its pros and cons, but this speaker is truly a great specialist for players who want as much traction as possible.

One last final note – the shoes are amazing for bad weather conditions. Comfort and providing plenty of traction are 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 early in the golf season and my feet have always been dry and protected (even with my childish sense of walking straight into puddles). If weather difficulty is another box to check in your game, the new Drive Pro Clones have you covered.

Under Armor Drive Pro Clones are available at most golf stores or on their website for a retail price of $180.00. These are initial impressions, but I will be bringing these shoes and only these shoes on future golf trips. Stay tuned to the Made for the Range and Fully Equipped instagram handles for updates.

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