John Kim 
Nike Golf is entering a new phase, and Rory McIlroy and Gentry Humphrey are the reasons why. The 26-year old golfing phenom is leading the youth-movement in this once “old man’s sport, bringing with him a demand for updated and rejuvenated on-green apparel and footwear. Gentry on the other hand, has been behind the Nike WHQ walls nearly as long as Rory’s been alive; the former Jordan Brand and Nike Sportswear leader is now the VP of Footwear for Nike Golf, an internal move that can only mean one thing for the category – the footwear are in for a change (for the better). The Nike Lunar Control 4, seen here for the first time today, is a clear indication that golf shoes are no longer your uncle’s boring saddles. They’re sportier, feature bold details, and have purposeful design cues that were once foreign to the sport.
The heart of Nike is seen clearly with the aggressive Swoosh placement on the toe-box as well as the “Just Do It” on the heel, while the carbon-fiber midplate, and innovation that dates back to the Air Jordan 11, offers torsional support (if you play, you know this is key). McIlroy’s specific style of play is addressed with the design as well; as a player who drives his feet into the grass more than your regular golfer, Rory needed added traction in addition to the spikes. Dynamic Flywire, which debuted in 2012, acts a prominent lockdown feature as well. It’s not hard to admit that the Lunar Control 4 looks like a running/training shoe, but there are a number of aspects that honor traditions of golf design. As Gentry Humphrey stated in our video chat conference, if you’re not disturbing the norm, you’re not really making moves. Check out the Lunar Control 4 here and stay tuned for release info.
The Nike Lunar Control 4 will releasing on November 27th on Nike.com in six colorways for men and women.
