Introduction
New Balance are known for creating stylish trainers for off the course wear but in recent years they have shifted towards the golf industry – offering the same styles as their popular trainers but in golf shoe form. The casual style means they’re very versatile but how do they perform? Nicola Slater took them out on the course to find out…
Keywords
Waterproof upper, rubber outsole, CUSH+ insole, sneaker, lightweight, wide fit, size up
NCG Summary and rating
NCG Summary
New Balance has carbon copied their popular 327 model shoe and has added in a golf ready sole. The trainer design means that it’s very casual and despite the dimpled sole you could very much still wear these off the golf course.
These are very lightweight golf shoe that has a lot of width and room inside so is great for players with wide feet. Sizing is a little out from what I’d expect as wear a UK 7.5 in most and UK 8 in tighter fitting brands such as Adidas – these were an 8.5.
Overall, a comfortable shoe that combines comfort, support and style.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Stylish
CONS
- Sizing could be a bit tricky
Key Facts
| Sizes | 4-9 UK (inc half sizes) / 6-11 US (inc half sizes) |
| Width | Wide |
| Waterproof warranty | 1 year |
| Outsole | Spikeless rubber |
| Upper | Waterproof microfiber leather |
| Lining insole | CUSH+ |
| Spikeless | Yes |
| Colours | 4 |
Key benefits and downsides
| Key benefits | Downsides |
|---|---|
| Lightweight – when you first put these shoes on this is what you instantly notice. | Potential issues with sizing – These shoes come up very small having to go up between a half to full size. |
| Out the box comfort – some shoes you need to wear in and persist with. No such issues here, the out the box comfort is exceptional | |
| Stability – for a spikeless golf shoe there were no issues in muddy, slightly slippy, conditions |
First Impressions
It’s been a couple of years since I last had a pair of New Balance golf shoes. A lot of brands in recent years have shifted towards turning their popular trainer styles into golf shoes and New Balance is no different. The 327 is a style that you see a lot and now it’s in golf shoe form. I like the casual style and the fact that these are a trendy style.
They’re a spikeless golf shoe that fits with the casual styling. I think that these could easily be worn off the golf course as Spikeless NDurance Rubber Outsole is almost identical to the design you see on the trainers.
To hold these shoes are very lightweight. I think this is really nice as they would be easy to travel with.
Size Up
When theY arrived in a UK 8.5 I was convinced that they would be too big as I typically wear a UK 7.5 or 8 in smaller fitting brands like Adidas. Length wise this came up as the perfect size which shocked me.
In terms of width, I don’t have particularly wide feet I would choose medium if an option was given. I found there to be a lot of space in the 327’s. This would be perfect for someone with wider feet but I did find that I had a lot of movement in the shoe.
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How I undertook the review
I undertook the review by wearing the golf shoes over two full rounds at my local golf club, allowing me to evaluate their performance in real playing conditions. At the time of testing the weather in the UK is somewhat mixed and so the shoes had to encounter damp and muddy conditions. So, a good test of their stability and ease to clean.
During these rounds, I paid close attention to comfort, grip, and durability.
What I found
Putting the New Balance 327 shoes on to head to the tee they were very lightweight. The laces meant that they were easy to get on and as mentioned I had plenty of space in the shoe for movement.
These aren’t a shoe packed with foam or cushioning but the CUSH+® Insole is very comfortable.
Stability
My foot was supported and the Spikeless NDurance Rubber Outsole was nice to walk on. This sole doesn’t strike you as giving the most traction but in terms of being a summer golf shoe it certainly gave enough.
Durable
These shoes feature durable compound reinforces in high-wear areas so places like the toe and heel have that extra support. This is nice as I walked off the course and they still looked just as good as when I first put them on – something that I believe will continue with their style and design.
Waterproof qualities
The microfibre leather upper is built to keep your feet dry during the damp conditions. They’re not going to offer as much protection but a 1 year waterproof warranty gives a good level of protection from the elements.
NCG Final Say
Overall, these shoes look stylish and provide a great amount of stability. They’re a great option for players with wide feet. I love how versatile they are, on and off the course is both covered.
Price information
RRP: £124.99 / $120
Other product details
Colours: White-Brown / White-pink / White / Navy-beige
Instep height: Lower
Toe box depth: Shallower
Forefoot width: Wider
More information: Amazon
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