I would say that within 15 minutes of the US Open coverage starting on Sunday, I received five texts about how sick 54-hole-leader Gary Woodland’s shoes were. I personally hadn’t seen them yet because I was enjoying a rousing Father’s Day round of mini golf* with my family at one of the local tracks during the start of the broadcast. When I got home and fired up the ole Twitter machine, I saw no less than a billion tweets with pictures of the now famous custom Gary Woodland US Open shoes. Puma put together a custom version of Woodland’s preferred shoe, the IGNITE PWRADAPT that fit in well with his ongoing support of Folds of Honor through Puma’s Volition America program.
Anyway, while Woodland’s game had been strong for the first few days, it was clear that people were really into these shoes. Yeah, the Gary Woodland US Open shoes are quite a bold statement for everyday golf, but I’m sure plenty of golfers would shell out the dough for a pair of these. Hell, I’d probably buy a pair too for the rare rounds of golf I play on patriotic holidays. One has to think that Puma could cash in on this opportunity and sell a few pairs of these America-themed golf shoes. I mean, they’ve managed to sell out wildy bold limited Rickie Fowler designs before. I’m sure some bold America shoes could sell! Puma DID put out a limited Patriot Pack for the US Open, however, which included a USA-themed shoe.
One of the things I caught yesterday was Woodland’s spikes. Shout out for the old school use of actual metal spikes. I’m guessing the dude just LIVES for that “click clack” when he’s walking across the cart paths! I also love how modern metal spikes are simply nestled in the middle of a soft spike. They just don’t make ’em like they used to!
There are, of course, many great story lines out of Gary Woodland’s US Open win at Pebble Beach, but as the resident shoe guy, I knew I had to make sure to cover this topic for everyone. Keep your eyes peeled, maybe Puma will drop some sick limited ‘Murica shoes soon!
(Disclaimer: I have no inside knowledge of whether or not Puma has plans to do so. Only hope.)
*Don’t worry, I easily won at mini golf despite a poor performance and a far too rambunctious group of patrons on the course that had no respect for mini golf decorum. Huge credit to me.
UPDATE:
Of course I drafted this blog up earlier Monday and sure as $&@? I get the email below after dinner…
Clairvoyant? Yeah, pretty much. I’m sure I was the only one thinking this. Given that I had a whole blog post about this and how the timing worked out, decided to keep the post anyway. Just so everyone knows how forward thinking I am. Pretty much an expert I guess. Puma’s preorder is here.
