There are three key aspects to a golf shoe that affect athletic performance. (1) How the shoe interfaces with the ground; (2) How the forces traverse within the shoe between the ground and the foot; and (3) How the foot interfaces with the shoe. In this blog, we’ll discuss the third key aspect: How the foot interfaces with the shoe.
When we are in a golf stance, our feet are about shoulder width apart. This creates an angle for each leg with respect to the center line of our body. Our body weight and the contraction of our muscles creates a body force. As shown in the diagram, the body force is at an angle.
In physics, the body force has a horizontal force component (e.g., parallel to the ground) and a vertical force component (e.g., into the ground). The vertical component is the force we push into the ground to which the ground pushes back, which is called ground reaction force.
If the shoe does not provide an equal and opposite force to the horizontal force component, your foot moves within the shoe. When your foot moves, it promotes sway and wastes energy. It also adds moving parts to your swing, creating more things that can breakdown and increase the risk of more missed shots.
As such, a shoe needs to provide a horizontal reaction force that compensates for the horizontal force component or your foot moves. Yet, most golf shoes don’t. The softer the upper material (e.g., knit), the less horizontal reaction force the shoe provides. Most golf shoes also include a U-shaped forefoot, which increases the horizontal force component and increases movement of the your foot within the shoe.
The next time you watch a professional golf tournament, watch the rear foot of a golfer. You’ll notice how much his or her foot is moving in the shoe to compensate for the shoe. This is wasted energy and adds complexity to their swing.
By having the foot “locked-in” to the shoe, the swing is simplified and less energy is wasted. In other words, when the shoe provides a horizontal reaction force that is equal to and opposite of the horizontal force component of the body force, the foot is locked in during the swing. As such, the golfer does not have move his or her foot to compensate for the shoe. The shoe works with the golfer and allows the golfer’s full potential to be realized.
Athalonz golf shoes provide a horizontal reaction force that is equal to and opposite of the horizontal force component. Unlike most golf shoes, Athalonz golf shoes do not include a U-shaped forefoot, they have a sloped forefoot that slopes towards the ball of foot. In addition, Athalonz golf shoes include a re-enforced lateral wall in the upper section to provide further horizontal reaction force so the foot stays locked-in to the shoe.
As such, Athalonz golf shoes work with the golfer to produce a powerful and stable base, which leads to more distance and more control (i.e., less missed shots).
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