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

Jacob E Vollmar

A golf shoe with an upper and a sole assembly connected to the upper. The sole assembly includes an outsole with a plurality of traction elements positioned around a central region of the outsole. The plurality of traction elements comprise a first set of traction elements arranged along a perimeter or edge of the outsole in a first spatial configuration corresponding to a shape or profile of the perimeter or edge of the outsole, and a second set of traction elements extending alongside the first set of traction elements. The plurality of traction elements may comprise a third set of traction elements disposed within a forefoot and/or rearfoot portion of the central region of the outsole. The third set of traction elements may comprise one or more omni-directional traction elements, and the first and second sets of traction elements may comprise a plurality of directional and 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 includes a midsole and an outsole. The outsole includes one or more traction elements for engaging with a plurality of different ground surfaces. In some embodiments, the traction elements comprise a first feature for mechanically interlocking with a deformable ground surface and a second feature for frictionally engaging with the deformable ground surface.

Shoe

Golf shoes having improved constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The upper may be made of a soft, breathable leather material. The midsole includes an upper region formed from a first material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); and a lower region formed from a second material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), wherein the materials have different hardness levels. A fiber-reinforced composite plate such as, for example, a carbon fiber plate is disposed in the midsole. The composite plate has a molded three-dimensional shape to provide additional stiffness to the golf shoe, particularly in the rear foot region of the shoe. The outsole contains different traction members arranged in a precise geometric structure that helps provide improved stability and traction.

Golf shoe having composite plate in midsole for providing flex and stability

Golf shoes having improved constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The upper may be made of a soft, breathable leather material. The midsole includes an upper region formed from a first material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); and a lower region formed from a second material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), wherein the materials have different hardness levels. A fiber-reinforced composite plate such as, for example, a carbon fiber plate is disposed in the midsole. The outsole contains different traction members arranged in a precise geometric structure that helps provide improved stability and traction.

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 may comprise a multi-material outsole with one or more traction elements for engaging with a plurality of different ground surfaces, including on course and off course surfaces.

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. In one embodiment, the tile pieces, first and second protruding traction members, and non-protruding segment comprise the same material and form a unitary piece. Preferably, the unitary piece is made of a rubber material. In another embodiment, a heel step region without traction members may be provided on the outsole. Additionally, spike receptacles and spikes may be provided on the outsole in addition to the traction members.

Golf shoes having multi-surface traction outsoles

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.

Growing community of inventors

Bridgewater, MA, United States of America

Jean-Marie Bidal