Nike Free Golf NN Shoes Review
A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to receive a pair of Pine Green Air Jordan 1 Low shoes from Nike. Back then, I wrote that they might just be my new favorite golf shoes. However, I was perhaps too hasty with that statement because the other day the new Nike Free Golf Shoes arrived at my doorstep. You would've probably seen Nelly Korda winning relentlessly on the LPGA, or Tommy Fleetwood on the PGA wearing these shoes and after testing them, I can see why they are getting used at the highest level.
You also might be familiar with the Nike Free aspect of this shoe as well because it is technology that was implemented on the Tiger Woods 13 shoes which Fleetwood wore during the 2023 Ryder Cup, and of course Woods himself used. As you would guess, the technology is returning in this 2024 shoe. We'll delve into the tech later, but first let’s start with the looks...
I think these shoes look great from every angle. I like where Nike has gone from a design perspective as of late. Rory’s Victory Tour 3’s are one of the best golf shoes on the market, Koepka’s new Infinity Tour’s look awesome, and so do models like the Jordan 1 Low, Pegasus, Air Max 270G and so on. In my opinion, Nike shoes right now look fantastic and the trainer-like style of the Free’s continue that theme. I was sent the black and white finish - it looks great and I like the low profile of the shoe, along with the volt green elements that really pop. There are a couple of reflective details towards the toe of the shoe which stand out as well but I can take or leave these really.
Currently, the shoe comes in two other colors: white/volt, white/red. Although, I believe there are more on the horizon, a blue model for example. Aesthetically, the shoes are a big plus for me, and the comfort is another area it excels in.
Nike Free shoes hit the market almost two decades ago and quickly became a favorite for runners across the globe. Nike then transitioned the running technology into its TW 13 golf shoes after Tiger Woods said: “I train with Nike Free technology all the time... why can’t I play golf in it?”. Now, the famed Nike Free technology is back again in these 2024 shoes.
The Nike Free technology is designed to offer complete freedom of movement as well as a natural, flexible feel when wearing and walking in the shoes. And I am pleased to say that it really does deliver here. Walking all day was a seamless experience and I found them comfortable right out of the box whilst the fit was true to size. The shoes are also incredibly lightweight, to the point it is easy to forget you are wearing shoes. That sounds crazy to say but with some golf shoes on the market, you are always aware you have them on because they don't fit perfectly, or feel heavy or hot. But there are no such issues here.
Technology aside, the Free Golf shoes have good breathability - a winner for those warmer days out on the course. Additionally if you have wide feet then Nike even offer a wide fit design of this shoe as well which is great to see.
Being 'free' can compromise stability. This is not the case with this shoe though; 'brio cables' secure the shoe's upper to the outsole for additional strength and support. Damp conditions aren't an issue either, with wet traction rubber patterns in a variety of shapes and angles providing extra grip.
To be clear, this is not a shoe offering the best grip on the market—spiked models will always do this better. What the Free Golf's do offer is incredible comfort. Put simply, it's a golf shoe that feels and moves like a running shoe. But as I said, the stability isn't that bad for a spikeless shoe. The shoes feel very well made and also boast a 1-year waterproof warranty and are made from at least 20% recycled materials.
On the whole, I think these are outstanding spikeless golf shoes. It's no surprise they're the choice of top players. Negatives? The stability isn't great compared to other Nike models like the Victory Tour 3. This is to be expected when comparing a spiked and spikeless designs. Aside from this, these are excellent shoes and at around $130, I think the Free slots in at a fairly reasonable price point.
