Acushnet Company

Jean-Marie Bidal

John F Swigart

Robert S Bento

Paul O Teeter

Keith M Duffy

Daren S Weddle

James M Feeney

Jonathan G Bacon

George Hodson Walker

Cody Z Caldon

Shoe

A golf shoe with a sole assembly having a sidewall reinforcement structure is provided. The reinforcement structure may be formed from a carbon composite or other reinforcing material. The reinforcement structure is molded into the sole assembly for reinforcing softer midsole sidewalls, and for providing increased stability and maintaining forefoot flexibility. The structure is generally U-shaped with a medial and lateral side wing and a bridge connecting the wings. The medial wing may be angled rearward to support the rearfoot, and the lateral wing may be angled forward to support the midfoot. Thus, the reinforcement structure may hold and support the medial and lateral sides of the golfer's foot as they shift their weight while making a golf shot. At the same time, the shoe has good flexibility so the golfer is able to walk and play the course and engage in other golf activities comfortably.

Golf shoe sole with localized sidewalls reinforcement structure

A golf shoe with a midfoot support system including a lateral strap extending from underfoot and over the midfoot region and a medial strap extending from underfoot inside the upper over the midfoot region. The medial strap extends outwardly from the upper material and is slidably engaged through the free end of the lateral strap. The free end of the medial strap may be engaged with an adjustable closure system to cinch the lateral and medial straps tightly around the midfoot. In some examples, the lateral strap includes a rigid support structure. The midfoot support system allows the foot to be stabilized within the shoe reducing movement of the foot within the shoe. This additional stability and prevention of movement as helpful during the golf swing and shot taking.

Footwear midfoot support system

A golf shoe with an upper and a sole assembly connected to the upper. The sole assembly may include a midsole and an outsole. In some cases, a custom insert may be integrated with or embedded in the sole assembly. In some cases, the custom insert may include an elastic member configured as a spring element.

Golf shoe with spring plate

Systems and methods for providing a golf shoe comprising a heel cup with an asymmetrical padding configuration to reduce foot movement during a golf swing. The asymmetrical padding configuration may include one or more heel pads that fit the contour of the heel area of the wearer's foot to provide proper support and fit to a golfer to reduce the voids of space that normally occur around the heel portion in a shoe. The support may lead to a better fit for increased comfort and more stability during the golf swing by reducing foot movement during the swing. The heel pad(s) may be provided between an outer and inner layer of material forming the shoe's upper and may be made of a variety of different materials that may give different stiffness and comfort to the heel area of the wearer's foot. In some examples, the shoe may be waterproof.

Asymmetrical heel pad

Golf shoe upper

A golf shoe with an upper and a sole assembly connected to the upper. The sole assembly includes a midsole and an outsole. The outsole includes a plurality of traction elements positioned around a central region of the outsole. The traction elements comprise: (i) a first set of traction elements arranged along a perimeter or edge of the shoe in a first spatial configuration corresponding to a shape or profile of the perimeter or edge of the shoe, and (ii) a second set of traction elements nested between the first set of traction elements and a third set of traction elements. The first and second sets of traction elements are staggered relative to each other in a non-channeling and non-trenching configuration. The first and second sets of traction elements comprise (i) one or more directional traction elements and (ii) one or more omni-directional traction elements.

Golf shoe with traction elements

A golf shoe with an upper and a sole assembly connected to the upper. The sole assembly comprises a reinforcement structure integrated with a midsole component and/or an outsole component of the shoe. The reinforcement structure may comprise a reinforcing material. The reinforcement structure may hold and support the medial and/or lateral sides of a subject's foot during a golf-related action or movement.

Golf shoe with reinforcement structure

Golf shoes having improved outsole constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The outsole includes a first set of arc pathways extending along the outsole in one direction. A second set of arc pathways extend along the outsole in a second direction. When the first and second arc pathways are superposed over each other, four-sided tile pieces are formed, and these tiles contain protruding traction members. In one embodiment, the tiles comprise a first protruding traction member, an opposing second protruding traction member, and a non-protruding segment disposed between the first and second traction members. Different traction zones containing different traction members are provided on the outsole. These zones provide improved multi-surface traction. In one embodiment of the outsole, there is no channeling and no trenching of the golf course turf. There is less damage to the golf course for a given amount of traction.

Golf shoe having outsole with multi-surface traction zones

A golf shoe with a sole assembly having a sidewall reinforcement structure is provided. The reinforcement structure may be formed from a carbon composite or other reinforcing material. The reinforcement structure is molded into the sole assembly for reinforcing softer midsole sidewalls, and for providing increased stability and maintaining forefoot flexibility. The structure is generally U-shaped with a medial and lateral wing and a bridge connecting the wings. The medial wing may be angled rearward to support the rearfoot, and the lateral wing may be angled forward to support the midfoot. Thus, the reinforcement structure may hold and support the medial and lateral sides of the golfer's foot as they shift their weight while making a golf shot. At the same time, the shoe has good flexibility so the golfer is able to walk and play the course and engage in other golf activities comfortably.

Growing community of inventors

Bridgewater, MA, United States of America

Jean-Marie Bidal