Explaining the Rise of Jordan Golf Sneakers
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By Stadium Goods |Explaining the Rise of Jordan Golf Sneakers
We take a closer look at the emerging sneaker category.
Matt DeSciora
Michael Jordan’s retirement from basketball was supposed to spell the end of Air Jordans. Or so it was once thought by some in the sneaker community. In actuality, the legacy of Jordan sneakers didn’t actually end when “Money” walked away from the game for a second and final time in 2003. It continued, rather spectacularly, thanks in part to the rise in popularity of retro Air Jordans, and the new colorways that were inspired by Jordan’s passions beyond basketball.
Interestingly enough, Jordan’s hobbies are still inspiring some of the most exciting sneakers in the world two decades into his retirement. This spring, Air Jordan Golf sneakers have quickly become one of the most sought after sneaker lines of 2023. Why? Golf has been one of the fastest growing post-pandemic sports, with more members of younger generations hitting the links than ever before. The rise of the Jordan Golf category just proves that this new golfing clientele wants to look fresh on the course. These aren’t your grandpa’s golf shoes!
Debuted last year, the Jordan Golf collection takes classic models like the Air Jordan 1 and Air Jordan 4 and turns them into real-deal golf shoes thanks to modifications made to design, mostly to their outsole. Instead of their traditional rubber outsole patterns, Jordan Golf shoes feature nubs or in some cases, spikes, that provide serious traction on a golf course.
Because the Jordan Golf collection is so new, we realize you may not be super familiar with the ins and outs of the line. But that’s okay, we’re here to help get you up to speed on everything you need to know about Jordan Golf.
Air Jordan 1 High Golf
The Air Jordan 1 still reigns supreme as the hottest sneaker in our culture. With that being said, it should be no surprise that the Air Jordan 1 High Golf and Air Jordan 1 Low Golf are very desirable Jordan Golf sneakers. So far, the Jordan 1 High Golf has been released in the ultra popular “Panda” colorway in addition to a “Midnight Navy” style inspired by the Air Jordan 1 High OG of the same nickname from the old school “Concept Japan” collection. The Jordan 1 High Golf has also been used in a collaboration with Eastside Golf. As far as the model’s design, it features small nubs on its rubber outsole that make it a viable option to also wear off the golf course.
Air Jordan 1 Low Golf
Like its high-top counterpart, the Air Jordan 1 Low Golf is a popular Jordan Golf shoe that needs to be on your radar this spring and summer. Top colorways include the Air Jordan 1 Low Golf “Chicago,” “Shadow,” and Eastside Golf’s various collaborations. Just like the Jordan 1 High Golf, the alternate low-top version features nubs on its outsole that make wearing the shoe an easy proposition in the streets, on the fairway, or wherever.
Air Jordan 4 Golf
The Air Jordan 4 Golf is basically a carbon copy of the original Jordan 4, but with a few differences. The shoe is available in familiar, original-inspired colorways such as the “White Cement” and “Bred.” It does, however, feature a complete new outsole with hard spikes that are far more aggressive looking than the Jordan 4’s standard rubber outsole.
Air Jordan 5 Golf
Following in the Air Jordan 4 Golf’s footsteps, the Air Jordan 5 Golf also has spikes on its outsole that make it a great performance golf shoe. You can catch the Jordan 5 Golf Low in a “Fire Red - Silver Tongue” colorway that is, you guessed it, inspired by the same Jordan 5 colorway worn by MJ with the Chicago Bulls.
Air Jordan 6 Golf
Michael Jordan’s first championship shoe, the Air Jordan 6, is another classic Jordan model that has been reimagined for the golf course. Some of our favorite colorways include the Air Jordan 6 Golf Low “White Infrared” and “Bordeaux.” The Jordan 6 Golf has the same spiked outsole as the Jordan 4 and Jordan 5 Golf models.
Air Jordan 12 Golf
By the time the original Air Jordan 12 came out in the late 1990s, Michael Jordan was fully immersed in his golf hobby. This could explain why there are so many great Jordan 12 Golf colorways to choose from, including the Jordan 12 Golf Low “Playoffs,” “Taxi,” and Eastside Golf’s collaboration, all of which are pretty sweet in our book.