No professional golfer or weekend player ever asked for a heavier golf shoe, so companies are constantly trying to balance weight savings with high performance. For 2023, Adidas has updated its premium lightweight offering, the ZG Series, by reworking the traction elements in the outsole, utilizing two unique midsole foams and improving the waterproof upper in the new ZG23.
At the heart of the ZG23 ($200), which Collin Morikawa is expected to wear this season, is a redesigned midsole made of two different materials. Adidas designers used a soft foam called Lightstrike Pro on the bottom to provide extra cushioning when you walk, and they surrounded it with a slightly firmer material called Lightstrike that helps increase lateral stability in specific areas.
There are still six replaceable cleats on the bottom of the shoe, and Adidas repositioned the smaller traction elements after studying the swings of its staff players – golfers such as Morikawa, Xander Schauffele and Danielle Kang – and learning which specific areas on the outside need extra connection to the ground.
Finally, the top of the shoe, referred to as the upper, was made with a four-layer, waterproof material called Sprintskin. It blends woven materials with polyurethanes to keep moisture from getting inside the shoes without adding excessive weight.
In addition to the standard lace-up models for men and women, Adidas is offering versions of the ZG23 that have a ratcheting BOA Fit system ($220). By turning a dial on the shoes, a system of wires gently secures a wrap-over piece across the top of your foot to allow for micro-adjustments in the fit.
