adidas Tour360 4.0 Debuts This Week

The new Tour360 4.0 from adidas Golf will debut this week on the PGA Tour at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas.

Players expected to wear the new Tour360 4.0 include Jim Furyk, Tim Clark, Nathan Green, Casey Wittenberg, Greg Owen, Martin Laird, Matt Bettencourt and Tim Petrovic.

The Tour360 4.0 incorporates Advanced ThinTech low-profile technology that brings the golfer lower to the ground to provide improved overall balance, weight transfer, stability, power and consistency.

“We felt constrained by the industry standard attachment mechanism,” said Dave Ortley, senior director of global footwear for adidas Golf.

“We couldn’t bring our athletes as close to the ground as we wanted, so instead, we decided to reengineer the whole system,” he added.

“By collaborating with Pride Sports, the world leader in cleat design and the makers of Fast Twist, we were able to create an entirely-new method which combines an Advanced ThinTech cleat with a new, ultra-thin cleat attachment mechanism called PINS.”

The end result is a system 32 per cent lower than conventional cleat systems, allowing golfers to feel a stronger connection with the ground for more consistent ball-striking.

Also new to the next-generation Tour360 4.0 is unibody-construction that connects the heel counter and 360Wrap technology to the outsole to promote a greater level of stability.

Other features include:

• A reengineered Powerband Chassis for lateral stability and more power through impact.
• Split outsole with 10-cleat configuration and low-profile ThinTech cleats
• X-Static silver filament fibres woven into the lining help regulate temperature for optimized comfort
• adiPrene cushioning in the heel for enhanced impact absorption
• FitFoam sock liner for added support, cushioning and comfort heel to toe
• adiTuff technology to protect the toe from excessive wear
• ClimaProof waterproof protection
• Traxion secondary lugs for added grip, especially at higher swing speeds

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Marketing: On With The Shoe At Ecco

Ecco’s first go-round with the “Outfit Your Staff” concept proved to be worth a second look during the Canadian buying show season.

“We ran something similar this summer when Priddis Greens in Calgary won the Outfit Your Staff contest and Cutten Club in (Guelph) Ontario,” said Todd Davidson, golf division sales manager for Ecco.

“It’s really been word-of-mouth,” he added. “Ron Laugher (Priddis Greens) and Todd McGrath (Cutten Club) have always been good Ecco accounts, but they’ve also shared with other pros that they’ve won this contest, so now the other pros are obviously getting excited and want an opportunity to win that, as well.”

“There has definitely been some positive reaction,” said Davidson.

The concept of the latest Outfit Your Staff contest makes eligible any shop that writes a qualifying order at the fall buying shows to win one of two packages that outfits shop staff in Ecco products. Each package is worth up to $2,000.

Davidson says the contest works in a couple of ways. Not only does a shop staff get the use of product for its own use, but it also sends a message to consumers.

“There’s definitely a correlation between our most successful Ecco accounts and the professionals and assistants in the shop that are wearing the product,” said Davidson.

“I find members look up to the professionals and, if they’re wearing our brand, it usually translates into sales for both of us,” he added.

For more information on the contest, e-mail toda@ecco.com.

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Ecco’s Women’s Line Aims for Fashion and Function

Crafted from high grade leathers and showcasing its comfort and performance technologies, Ecco has introduced its spring/summer women’s golf collection.

“Each collection we create draws from our unique brand heritage which starts with designs built around the human foot,” says Michael Waack, head of global golf for Ecco.

“The resulting fit and quality appeals to a great variety of women, regardless of whether their personal taste has a classic sensibility or is inspired by popular fashion.”

Ecco women’s golf shoes are worn in competition by tour players such as Juli Inkster, Carin Koch, Iben Tinning, Linda Wessberg, Johanna Westerberg and others.

The spring/summer 2010 women’s golf collection features the Ecco Four Dots logo across 27 models, including the following:

Casual Cool Hydromax

The Casual Cool Hydromax is designed to blend contemporary fashion with performance. Street leather types, including metallics, are used in combination with modern rubber detailing. Crafted from direct-injected PU, the low-profile midsole offers playability with its asymmetrical arch support, an integrated TPU heel and a swing stabilizer insert. The single-density TPU outsole showcases a sleek, feminine shape and a visible TPU foil color-matched to the upper designs.

Golf Street Premier

Designed to be funky, colourful and fun, the Golf Street Premier showcases the Ecco Four Dots logo in tasteful, metal-rivet detailing. Additional feminine accents include white midsoles topped by a coloured stripe. These styles offer versatility for use on and off the course. Sleek, semi-transparent TPU outsoles are colour-matched to the uppers and feature pre-molded traction bars that provide enhanced grip. Synthetic blend, wide-flat laces are provided in two different colours for added user customization, including an option for tone-on-tone coordination.

Fashion Life Premier

Fashion Life features distinctive uppers made from luxurious leathers with elegant finishes for a feminine look. The sleek appearance of a new, low-profile midsole with direct-injected PU, Fashion Life features top-to-bottom colour coordination. Lightweight comfort is achieved with a sleek, single-density TPU outsole matched to the distinctive upper designs. A series of pre-molded traction bars with exceptional durability ensure ideal grip throughout the swing.

For more information, see the website, www.ecco.com/golf.

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Nike Tour Premium Combines Technology, Tradition

Blending technology with tradition is the objective with the release of the new Nike Tour Premium shoe, which will be available Oct. 1.

The Tour Premium features soft, full-grain leather uppers for support and feel and a TPU Stabilizer that extends beyond the traditional outsole to provide more lateral support and to aid weight transfer by working with the foot’s natural motion.

The Tour Premium also cushions key contact areas such as the heel to provide concentrated comfort with a secure fit that is enhanced by a full-length, contoured, removable sock liner and leather linings.

Another feature is the Power Platform TW outsole, designed to stabilize the foot for better balance, smoother weight transfer and more power through impact.

The outside push plate of the outsole is designed to provide support and control through the backswing, while the inside plate flexes to help maintain contact through the ground through impact, resulting in a stronger push for more power through the swing.

The Nike Tour Premium uses Champ’s Tri-LOK Scorpion Stinger spikes and directional resistance nubs that are designed to control rotational movement for better balance.

A two-year waterproof warranty is available and the Nike Tour Premium comes in three colour options.

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Ecco Offers Style, Comfort, Versatility in 2010

Ecco is introducing its spring/summer 2010 men’s golf collection with high-grade leathers, comfort technologies and new styles, ranging from classic to casual, street-inspired designs.

“With each collection, we continue to redefine the golf footwear experience,” said Michael Waack, head of global golf at Ecco.

“Our process is completely unique, as it starts from designs built around the human foot. Comfort, performance and a complete commitment to quality are the driving forces, but style is also key.”

Ecco men’s golf shoes are worn in competition by international tour players such as Fred Couples, Colin Montgomerie, Aaron Baddeley, Stuart Appleby, Thomas Bjorn, Arjun Atwal, Thongchai Jaidee, John Bickerton, Bradley Dredge and others.

The Spring/Summer 2010 men’s golf collection features the ECCO Four Dots logo across 31 models. The collection includes:

New Classic GTX

A fusion of traditional style and modern technology, the New Classic GTX features uppers of patterned “Lizard” and “Pinnacle” leathers. Outsoles are engineered for enhanced stability feature and feature soft TPU areas in the grip and traction zones. This works in tandem with a direct-injected midsole, integrated swing stabilizer and three-component insole unit to provide support during all phases of the swing.

Casual Cool II Hydromax

The Casual Cool II Hydromax offers a sporty-meets-trendy look. Available in striking colour combinations, the style combines Ecco’s “Lexi” street leather, textile ribbons and modern rubber detailing with all the benefits of the brand’s technology. A sleek, single-density, transparent TPU outsole features a visible TPU foil that is colour-matched to the upper. Along with a low-profile, direct-injected midsole, a two-component leather and microfibre top layer inlay sole on fibre foam provides extra-soft cushioning and grip.

Golf Street Premier

Taking its cues from modern men’s fashion, Golf Street is a truly versatile sport hybrid casual shoe as much at home on the course as it is for après golf. Luxurious, full-grain leather uppers sit atop a new, low-profile, direct-injected PU midsole. A vulcanized street shoe look is enhanced by a thin, colored strip detail on the midsole and metal rivet accents. The sleek, semi-transparent TPU outsole showcases bright, funky colors, as well as pre-molded traction bars that are designed to be durable and provide enhanced grip. Synthetic blend wide-flat laces are provided in two different colours for added use customization, including a contrast color option to stand out.

For more information, see the website, www.ecco.com/golf.

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Nike’s Bandon Designed For Wet Weather

The new Nike Zoom Bandon, designed for wet weather conditions, has a seam-sealed synthetic upper and a waterproof lining to provide waterproof protection and a breathable moisture barrier.

Other features include a zipper shroud closure that keeps water out and laces dry, while the mid-cut height blocks water from entering at the ankle line.

The Bandon also goes for comfort and stability through responsive, low profile cushioning provided by Nike’s Zoom Air unit in the heel of the shoe. Also featured is the Nike Power Platform to provide golfers with better balance, smoother weight transfer and more power through impact.

Designed to be waterproof but also low maintenance, the secondary traction elements on the Nike Zoom Bandon have been designed to decrease clogging around the spikes, making the shoes easier to clean after a wet and muddy round of golf.

The Bandon coordinates with Nike Golf’s all-weather products, including the Storm-Fit Elite jacket and pants, all-weather gloves and cold weather mitts.

Other benefits to the Bandon include a full-length Phylon midsole, two-year limited waterproof warranty, Scorpion Stinger spikes and Tri-Lok system and external heel stabilizer.

The Bandon is available immediately in black/black and black/varsity red for an MSRP of $199 Cdn.

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Past and Present Unite in FJ Icon

The new FootJoy FJ Icon shoes are created with a combination of design stylings from over 100 years and technological advancements such as memory foam and a perforated alloy stability bridge.

“FJ Icon is a new, premium, high-performance category of golf shoes that exemplifies tradition and performance and is the new flagship product of the FootJoy brand,” said Jack Erickson, vice president of golf footwear for FootJoy.

“Never before have we developed a category of shoes that integrates the very best features from our other categories until now,” he said.

FJ Icon shoes will debut in five patterns and 19 total inline styles, including two that incorporate the BOA lacing system.

Four of the five patterns will also be available through the MyJoys program, which allows consumers their shoes with thousands of colour and personalization options. With the inclusion of FJ Icon, there are now over 2.5-million custom combinations available through the MyJoys program.

FJ Icon shoes feature premium full-grain leather uppers to offer waterproof comfort, breathability and durability, as well as calfskin detailing for aesthetics, fit, and resistance to stretching.

They also come with a two-year limited waterproof warranty, with FootJoy backing that this shoe will be waterproof in normal use for two years.

FJ Icon shoes also have leather linings to provide comfort, slip resistance, and in-shoe breathability, while the leather-covered dual-density PU Fit-Bed creates an underfoot base that more closely mimics the natural shape of the foot to provide a quality fit and cushioned support.

Memory Foam located in the tongue and around the collar is in place to provide a custom fit to enhance comfort.

The FJ Icon Laser Last in all styles except plain-toe saddles, offers a modified contemporary toe character, standard fit across the forefoot and instep, with a slightly narrow heel. The Laser Last is a composite of thousands of digital scans of the FootJoy Laser Fitting System.

EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) midsoles are in place to provide lightweight cushioning underfoot. EVA does not take a set, so the cushioning will remain constant for the life of the shoe.

Varying densities of TPU (thermoplastic urethane) are strategically placed throughout the outsole to produce a stable hitting platform.

An Icon Torque Bar, made from perforated alloy, is used in the shank area of the outsole to increase midfoot stability and support. The perforated treatment also gives the Torque Bar a contemporary look.

Dual OptiFlex in the FJ Icon features two-part forefoot flexibility channels, constructed of TPU (thermoplastic urethane) for walking comfort and flexibility.

FJ Icon shoes come with Stinger III cleats by Champ.

“We’re all excited to get to create and design our own FJ Icon shoe from start to finish. It’s a very exciting time for the shoe to evolve and take us to the next generation,” said PGA Tour player Ian Poulter.

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Ecco Unveils Ultra Performance Shoe

Ecco has introduced it men’s Ultra Performance golf shoe that features its patent-pending Direct-Injected stability system, one-piece construction and an outsole design for support, comfort, flexibility and traction throughout the swing.

Ultra Performance is designed to work in tandem with natural features of the human foot. Its stability system is centred around an anatomical last that works with a lightweight, wrap-around support structure that is fused into the midsole and upper.

“Our Direct-Injection technology creates a flexible, holistic support system that cradles the foot from below and continues up and around the shoe to optimize stability and increase power,” said Stefan Guest, the lead designer for Ecco’s golf division.

Ultra Performance features an internal anatomical nylon/steel stabilizer and an external Visible Carbon Fibre Reinforced TPU Stabilizer. These elements are designed to work in conjunction to cradle the arch and outside of the foot for support and prevent excessive torsion flex during the swing.

Midfoot stabilization is enhanced by a 20 per cent lighter, direct-injected polyurethane that is used to create a one-piece, wrap-around Swing Stability System to cradle the foot, provide support and stabilize the heel.

Independent flex between the toes is created through distinct inner and outer flex zones to provide better feel and stability and allow the sole to maintain better ground contact during the swing.

A lightweight, triple-density outsole is designed to provide walking comfort through the use of stability islands that feature soft TPU in the flex areas and hard TPU in areas where grip and traction are required.

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