New Balance is somewhat of a newbie to the best golf shoe game, but the brand has hit the ground running, offering a great range of street style-inspired models as well as more golf-specific designs.
The Heritage SLs certainly fall into the former of those two camps, taking direct inspiration from the brand’s rich heritage in trainers; that inspiration is clear to see as soon as you take them out of the box.
I got my hands on the navy colourway, and the initial impression was a very good one. The tonal panelling creates a dynamic yet casual silhouette that could just as easily be worn down the pub as it could on the course.
The grey accents and white midsole also offer a nice touch of contrast, making them incredibly easy to pair with any number of trouser or short options.
While looks are important, they undoubtedly play second fiddle to comfort and performance. Thankfully, the Heritage SLs also came up trumps in both categories.
Slipping the shoes on for the first time was a real treat; the trainer-like design performs just like I hoped, providing plenty of cushioning and a good amount of space in the toe box, which I really enjoy as someone with wider feet.
The shoes are kitted out with a Dyna-Soft 10mm drop midsole as well as CUSH+ revolutionary foam, which, despite sounding very much like industry jargon, certainly does a good job of providing a cushioned and responsive ride.
I’ve worn these shoes on multiple occasions and have never experienced any kind of foot fatigue, with a nice touch of bounce received in every stride.
Throughout the swing, the outsole provides a good level of traction for a spikeless sole, and thanks to the fairly wide footprint, stability was never an issue.
While I can’t give all of the credit to the shoes, they were also the pair I was wearing when I got my first-ever hole-in-one, so they will forever hold a special place in my heart.
I’ve only worn these shoes during dry conditions; however, they are built with a waterproof microfiber leather/performance mesh upper, and come with a 1-year waterproof guarantee, so they should hold up nicely throughout the year.
Due to the lack of spikes, I would say they are probably best suited for summer or spring golf, however, a little mud and rain isn’t going to cause you any great issues.
