Walk on the Wild Side - golf shoes - Brief Article - Column

It has taken a while, but the road now traveled by golf footwear is in step with both high-tech function and fashion.

1 Nike Golf's Verdana slip-on for women--of Annika Sorenstam fame--features Nike Air technology and a sole designed with help from Cole-Hahn ($85; 800-922-6453; www.nikegolf.com).

2 Dexter adds a touch of old-school saddle shoe to its latest "retro-cool" slip-on ($90, 888-833-9837, www.dextershoe.com).

3 Bally Golf's Performance shoe with a pebbled sole could be mistaken for a driving shoe rather than one meant for the driving range. The shoe gets its strength from a flexible corrugated steel sole ($270; 800-437-2526).

4 FootJoy's three-strap sandal is built on a rubber outsole with a special "stability bridge" that is intended to keep the foot in place. A moisture-wicking footbed helps keep the feet dry ($75; 508-979-2000; www.footjoy.com).

5 Bite morphed a sneaker and a sandal to fashion its Slingshot for women. A removable mesh backstrap makes it breezy; a widened heel and rounded outsole are designed to keep the shoe stable ($70; 800-248-3465; www.biteshoes.com).

COPYRIGHT 2002 New York Times Company Magazine Group, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group