For a golfer, shoes are very much an extended part of the sporting equipment. They are also a fashion statement. A bad pair of shoes can affect performance. Conversely, a good pair can provide a better grip and extra comfort.

As far as footwear is concerned, Nike appears to be the go-to brand in LIV Golf. The top five fashionable shoes that are being worn by the top golfers are all from Nike’s factories, named after a legendary basketball player, Michael Jordan.

LIV golfers’ preferred choices

An Instagram post from livgolf_league shows Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Pat Perez, Brooks Koepka and Talor Gooch have been wearing Nike shoes. The post reads: “The swag is unmatched. Which ones you rocking on the course?” It also adds a fire emoji. But how much do these shoes cost?

Mickelson is seen wearing a Nike Air Jordan 1 Low (Nike X Travis Scott edition) that has a market price of $162. Watson’s preferred choice is Nike Air Jordan 1 Low Chicago, available at $180. Perez seems to be a fan of Nike Air Jordan High, available at $175. Koepka has a pair of Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour Next, available at $200. Gooch’s choice is Nike Air Jordan 1 Low Purple, available at $156.

The combined market price is $873, but the interesting thing is that Mickelson has been wearing Nike golf shoes of late. The superstar golfer had once derided Tiger Woods for endorsing the brand.

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The two have had a love-hate relationship for more than two decades and the comment came against that backdrop. Funnily, Mickelson has been wearing Nike shoes/sneakers at a time when Woods no longer wears them.

Sparring over shoes

“Something I never thought I’d see: Phil wearing Nike golf shoes while Tiger Woods no longer does,” NUCLR GOLF had posted on its X handle earlier this year. Some replies to the post were hilarious. Andrew Sanoff wrote: “Tiger would never wear dunks on the course”. john wrote: “Tiger sits on the couch and makes more $$$ a year than Phil ever made a year playing…”

Like other golf equipment, golf shoes, too, have evolved over the years. Back in late 19th century, they used to be normal shoes with nails on the sole. Then came Spalding, with its Saddle Oxford golf shoe. About 10-odd years ago, some golfers started to go spikeless. There are modern-day golf sneakers that can be worn both on and off the course. It is obviously a personal choice if a golfer wants to wear spikes or not. What do you think suits golfers more?

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