Viktor Hovland
I am always looking for fashion trends on TOUR. Recently I have noticed more PGA TOUR golfers making the move to the PUMA IGNITE Articulate Spiked Golf Shoe. I really started to take note when Viktor Hovland ditched his Nike Roshe Tours and showed up to the PGA Championship in these kicks. He ended up finishing T2 at Oak Hill and earned a “Fashion Dime” for the switch (and two weeks later he went on to win the Memorial Tournament). I begged Viktor for years to do a shoe-switcheroo for sartorial purposes and alas, it finally happened. Most importantly, it clearly didn’t impact his game!
Want to get an idea if a shoe performs? Check out its traction on Tour. Let’s do a rundown of who else on the PGA TOUR is lacing up the PUMA IGNITE and then I will leave you with a review of my own.
Rickie Fowler
Rickie’s resurgence this year has been my favorite part of this season. When he ended his four-year drought at the Rocket Mortgage Classic last month to win his sixth PGA TOUR title, it reminded me of something I wrote six years ago…..
A classic, unquantifiable sports debate; who had a greater impact on the other’s career: Joe Montana or Jerry Rice? Tom Brady or Bill Belichick? Would one man’s achievement be as impressive if they were not linked to the other person? At GT headquarters we have very similar, albeit significantly more important, philosophical discussions…would Rickie have become the unrivaled golf style icon of the PGA TOUR without PUMA? Could PUMA have become a leader in golf apparel innovation, design, and style without Rickie?
I guess you can say that Rickie and PUMA Golf have a long history.
Justin Rose
Ahhh, Justin Rose and his whimsical footwear ways. Looks like JR has found his match.
Kelly Kraft
It is no surprise that Kelly Kraft is someone who is always in the Threadie discussion. It was a surprise when the longtime FJ guy showed up in PUMA. He didn’t miss a beat.
Chez Reavie
Chez is another footwear free agent in the past few years who seems to have settled on the PUMA IGNITE as his go-to shoe.
Gary Woodland
Other than Rickie, no one has been more synonymous with PUMA Golf than Woodland. His signature patriotic IGNITE Articulate Golf Shoes pair well with his preferred PUMA Volition America apparel.
J.J. Spaun
Not only does J.J. Spaun own a victory on the PGA TOUR (2022 Valero Texas Open) he also owns a season pass to Disneyland for him, his wife, and two daughters.
Jason Dufner
Was it really ten years ago that Dufner won the PGA Championship? Wow!
Kevin Tway
Kevin Tway has also won on the PGA TOUR. His father, Bob, made more than 680 PGA TOUR starts and recorded eight wins, including the 1986 PGA Championship.
Kyle Westmoreland
Did you know that Kyle Westmoreland is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy? As a high school guidance counselor, I can tell you that is a tough place to get into (their acceptance rate is usually under 12%). Like Woodland, Kyle is usually decked out in PUMA’s Volition gear.
William McGirt
Not only has William McGirt won on the PGA TOUR, but he has also more than 50 top 25 finishes in his career.
Review
Stability
I had an opportunity to take these puppies for a spin and I think I will be joining the ranks of the players listed above. My favorite feature is the TPU Articulation Cage. It wraps securely around the foot providing exceptional support and stability while giving the shoe a modern and sporty aesthetic that is reminiscent of an old school saddle shoe. It is engineered to be a stable and lightweight shoe while providing the utmost comfort. The TPU Fused Mesh and PWRFRAME work alongside the aforementioned cage to give you superior support throughout your swing. However, as a result, I found these to have a slightly snugger fit. So, if you have a wider foot, I recommend their “Wide” option.
Comfort
The IGNITE Articulate is very comfortable. I walked 18 for my maiden voyage and the sailing was smooth! The IGNITE Foam provides out-of-the-box comfort with a responsive feel to the shoe. It reminded me of riding in one of those old school Cadillacs where you feel like you’re driving a couch. Another favorite feature of mine is the built-in sock liner. I loved how it alleviated any hotspots on the tongue and hugged my foot. In fact, it made me feel like I could channel my inner Bobby Orr (one time while playing juniors he forgot to pack socks, liked how his bare feet felt in skates, and he played that way the rest of his storied career) and wear these sans socks.
Tour Level Traction
Finally, the redesigned traction pattern features eight Tornado cleats giving increased traction in high-wear areas. The tagline on these shoes is, “ANY LIE, ANY STANCE, ANY SWING – MAKE YOUR MOVE.” I guarantee that you will be given TOUR-level traction whether you swing like Viktor and Rickie or you swing like me.
These shoes are currently on sale ($119) for a limited time at PUMA Golf. That is an incredible deal for one of the hottest shoes on the PGA TOUR. And the way I look at it is, if these are the shoes that Justin Rose has settled on after years of wearing something new each week, that says something!