BGC Golf Shoe Series #1: My feet are killing me.

The golf shoe. Well who doesn’t have three or four pair shoved in the trunk of their car, or under the hedge clippers in the shed? Mine are always full of dust and spiders, but every-ready to be dusted off for the next round. I’m sure most of you take better care of your shoes than I have over the years....but I’m guessing a few of you can relate.

As most of us know, the golf shoe has changed dramatically over the last few years. Spikes became soft spikes. Fashion took hold for the first time in a while. And casual has challenged the classic. Thankfully some shoe manufactures have started to focus on us. With Boomers, casual comfort and arch support have become the top priorities. As we get older, as our weigh begins to win the battle, our arches sag a bit. I actually was running around telling everyone that my feet had grown a full size since I turned 55. But later found out it wasn’t that my feet had grown, but my arches has “fallen” from age and too many frappachinos.

So this spring I was off to the shoe store. Not only to replace my old golf shoes, but to research the shoe market for the best shoes for the 50+ golfer.

Over the next few months I will report back to you on this subject, but today I want to focus on a great company you all know, or should get to know, Etonic of Waltham, MA.

From their Website: In 1876, the man who inspired the Etonic name, Charles A. Eaton, opened his first shoe factory in Brockton, MA. Over 60 years later, the Charles A. Eaton company ventured into golf shoe manufacturing, where it quickly gained a reputation for leading-edge technology and design. By the 1950s, hundreds of golf professionals were wearing the company's "Tournament of Champions" line. Two decades later, the Eaton Company recognized an opportunity in the running shoe category, and it soon became one of the most trusted and respected brands among diehard runners.

From introducing the first golf shoe with GORE-TEX® linings to its breakthrough Stabilizer™ technology, Etonic continued to pioneer new ways to help athletes feel and perform better. To enhance the experience of their chosen sport. And to help them finish one step ahead.

After researching their shoe line, I reached out to this impressive company about their shoes. In so doing, my eyes were opened to some very impressive technology. I spoke with Mike Bowhers, Field Sales and Marketing Representitive for Etonic Worldwide. Mike's insight was extremely helpful. As he put it, “In Florida, for example, where there are so many golf courses and older golfers, the top Etonic shoes are the EM6005-4 and the EM6006-4 which are Velcro fastened, spikeless golf shoes. Older golfers really like these because they're easy to get on and off and very comfortable.” These shoes are not only attractive, but are easy care, water-resistant, and have uppers with a soft padded collar and tongue for ultimate comfort.

Mike goes on to say that another very big seller for the 50+ market is the G-SOK Classic series. This is Etonic’s non cleated performance shoe. It has a Goodyear sole and Shocksorb™ heel and a Cushion Cuspension™ insole for comfort. It has a Tri-Zone Traction™ outsole for slip resistance. “We also use our stabilizer technology in the sole. The biggest seller in the G-SOK line last year was the GSC105-14.”

Once you try on a pair of the EM or G SOK series, you’ll understand why you should own a few pairs. And why this great company has been at the top of their game for over 130 years. WOW!

Check them out: www.etonic.com

I give Etonic golf shoes the Boomer 4-Tee™ rating.