Imagine the weight of roughly 8,000 golf carts (about eight million pounds). That's the cumulative amount of pressure put on the average golfer's feet while walking 18 holes. That doesn't even account for the extreme pressure put on the feet during the downswing. Think shoes don't matter? Slip on some flip-flops, and let us know how things are going on the back nine.

"For comfort, golf shoes must be soft, but during the swing they must maintain their firmness," says Farid Amirouche, director of the biomechanics research laboratory at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

That contradiction can be a challenge for manufacturers, but new shoes such as FOOTJOY's GF: II and the ADIDAS Tour 360 feature midsections that offer arch support and plenty of flexibility. Cushioning and softness are the points of emphasis for new shoes like BITE's Ripped and NIKE's Shox Golf.

Just as the bottom (outsole) of a shoe must grip the ground for stability, the inside (insole) must stabilize the foot. "It is very important to find a shoe that minimizes foot movement within it," says Charles Armstrong, director of the University of Toledo's Applied Biomechanics Laboratory. "That's particularly the case during the downswing, when there are laterally directed forces that need to be resisted by the shoe."
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The outsole should have soft cleats for gripping the turf. This helps minimize slipping and maximize energy transfer at impact. (If you haven't changed your cleats yet this year, a fresh set might be in order.) A slightly curved forefoot sole that promotes a natural stride as well as a deep, stiff heel cup that extends laterally for support are also fundamental.

"A good golf shoe is very important for any level of player," says foot and ankle specialist Dr. Philip Radovic. "And stability is key."

The pressure on a golfer's feet at impact can equal 184 percent of the person's bodyweight. SOURCE: SCIENCE AND GOLF IV.

For more information about the feet, contact Dr. Radovic's office at (949)493-8020.