New Balance Golf 2002 – Range Review

Growing up as a regular golfer, I’ve always been used to recognizing a few key brands when it came to golf shoes. I have been a distance runner for years as well, and when it came to New Balance as a brand, all I knew is that they were one of the more durable running shoes on the market. I had a lot of friends that swore by New Balance for their running needs for years, so when I heard they had branched out into the golf shoe market, as many other brands have also done, I knew I had to get my hands on the New Balance Golf 2002 to see for myself whether this brand has what it takes in this entirely different market place.

Key Features:

• 10 mm drop: due to variances created during the development and manufacturing processes, all references to 10 mm drop are approximate
• Premium waterproof microfiber leather upper for a comfortable, dry fit
• Revlite midsole provides dynamic stability and Traction
• TPU outsole provides dynamic stability, flexibility and traction
• Champ ONE-Lok Zarma cleat system maximizes traction and simplifies replacement.

Comfort: 

The first time I slipped on the New Balance Golf 2002, I was very pleased with the formed fit it provided. There was plenty of arch support for the days I decide to walk a full 18 holes, and practically no excess give in the heal and toe. I do have to say, the first time I took them out on the links, by the end of the round I felt some slight discomfort in the toes. However, as with any sports shoe with a full leather upper, there is always some breaking in to get through. I’m happy to report that in the many rounds I’ve played since, this is the only occurrence where I felt any discomfort. Finding a shoe that can be broken in and comfortable after one round of golf can be a rarity, and the Golf 2002 has shown it can take care of your feet rather well.

Design:

The moment I pulled the Golf 2002s from the box, I immediately noticed that the leather upper is designed with only two primary pieces of leather, with very little seam work. With this sort of structure in mind, I felt confident that these shoes would prove to be well waterproofed, and they certainly do perform well in that department. During those rainy rounds of golf, which we’re all bound to get caught in from time to time, I’ve had absolutely no problems with moisture making its way to my feet. If you’re still worried about waterproofing, The Golf 2002 comes with a 2 year waterproof warranty.

As far as appearance goes, this is not your typical leather golf shoe. The microfiber upper has a very glossy sheen in its pattern, giving it a very modern look and carrying a bit of New Balance’s running shoe look over to the golf course. The Golf 2002 comes available in 3 basic color patterns, keeping your options simple yet defined as having a character of their own in the industry.

Traction:

The Golf 2002 comes equipped with the Champ ONE-Lok Zarma cleat system, which is meant to perform with optimal traction, and make a simpler removal and fastening of cleats. With seven cleats on each shoe, and a hard sole supporting tread system, I have had no issues with slippage on any part of the course.

The ONE-Lok cleat is a made with a particularly soft material, which provides a slight give during the pivot of the golf swing, and adds a little extra support when required. Because of the soft cleat makeup, a cleat wrench is required to remove it from the shoe when necessary. Cleat wrenches are relatively inexpensive though, and should a cleat come off for any reason during the round (and this has never happened to me with these shoes), the cleats are designed to snap back into place with the simple push of a finger, so you don’t have to worry about having a wrench available at all times.

Durability: 

I’ve been walking the courses with these shoes all summer, and I’ve had no real wear issues as off yet. One potential problem I do sense while putting on the Golf 2002, is that they have a very soft upper, and hard lower heal. This is a great design for comfort and stability, but without the help of a shoe horn I can see the heals being forced out of shape over a period of time. Aside from the one potential issue that would be the result of improper entry, the Golf 2002 has practically no sign of wear, and the microfiber leather material has shown itself to be well self-maintained.

Value:

Properly priced around $150, these golf shoes are officially a great value in our book. The look, the feel, the build quality… everything about the New Balance Golf 2002 is on-point. While yes, there might be more affordable golf shoes on the market – with these shoes you’re getting something new, exciting and best of all 100% functional.