Nike Golf Lunar Control II Golf Shoes Review

Play in your Comfort Zone

By Pete Pappas  

On twitter @PGAPappas and blogspot at PGAPappas.blogspot

10 Second Summary

Extremely and uniquely comfortable.  Traction like an all-terrain SUV.  Lightweight full-grain leather.  Waterproof.  Smart, athletic appearance.  A step above everything you want in a pair of golf shoes.  And oh yeah, back-to-back major champion Rory McIlroy wears them.

The Company Line

The Nike Lunar Control II uses ultra-lightweight “Lunarlon” cushioning for soft feel and shock absorption.

“Power Platform” stabilizes the foot for better balance, smoother weight transfer, and more power through impact.

“Flywire” technology provides enhanced comfort from the midfoot to the heel.

Style

When you put on the new Nike Golf Lunar Control II golf shoes, you don’t look like you’ve come to play.  You look like you’ve come to unapologetically conquer.

With a bolder design, wider outsole of the saddle and heel, and more rounded toe than conventional golf shoes, the Lunar Control II are seductively athletic with imposing visual appeal. 

The Flywire saddle resembles a menacing lacework of steel, like you see in a suspension bridge, and appropriately delivers dependable support where you need it most.

And the lightweight full-grain leather for comfort, two-piece glossed heel cup for stability, and perforated tongue and sock lining for dynamic airflow prove that smart is the new sexy.

Style of course is unique to every individual.  And the modern appearance of the Lunar Control II might not appeal to traditionalists.  But for what it’s worth, these shoes look just as great with trendy attire as they do with more conservative apparel.

Seven different color versions are available to express your own unique personality.  And if you’re like me and think black and silver is fierce, then you’ll find black and silver with the relentless Nike swoosh to be its very own beast. 

Comfort

My first rounds wearing the Lunar Control II made me realize Nike Golf must have a serious obsession with comfort.

First of all there was no breaking in period whatsoever, none.  In fact, they felt as comfortable the first time I put them on as they did the last time I put them on.  Kudos to Nike for that alone.

 

A rounded toe box allows for plenty of wiggle room.  And there are no exposed seams to rub against the top of your foot or heel.  The tongue, heel, and entire sock lining are generously cushioned with breathable mesh padding.

Lightweight leather is soft and flexible, particularly in the front.  And the Flywire saddle uses high tensile fibers that loosen and tighten with the natural movement of your feet.

 

I’ve done a lot of walking this season in the Lunar Control II.  Some hilly-terrain rounds, some soggy, cart-path-only rounds, and most recently following the action at Firestone Country Club during the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.  I still haven’t experienced any real foot fatigue.

The external heel stabilizer and padded heel collar help keep your feet from sliding inside the shoe, and also provide protection and support for those prone to ankle problems and tendonitis. 

 

But what I love most about these shoes is the Lunarlon cushioning system.  It creates a sensation of weightlessness, eliminates virtually all shock to your feet, and yet still gives you ample ground feel.

If Nike made Lunarlon flooring or carpeting, I’d seriously consider putting it in my home.  And I’m not going out on a limb here when I tell you, it feels like some kind of golf shoe nirvana.  It’s an extremely gratifying feeling.

 

Comfort is always ground zero for any golf shoes I buy.  And for me, the Nike Lunar Control II golf shoes have redefined what ultimate comfort means in spiked golf shoes.

Performance

If you golf in northeast Ohio, you know playing in less than perfect conditions is unavoidable.  It will be damp.  It will be muddy.  It will be rainy.  So my golf shoes absolutely have to perform in the elements.  And the Lunar Control II surpassed all expectations.

One of the first things I noticed when I put the Lunar Control II on the first time was how they put me in a proper golf stance.  On the balls of my feet, exactly where you’re supposed to be for ideal pivot and weight transfer.

 

The wider outsole in the forefoot and heel increases surface area contact and delivers exceptional stability.  No matter what the shot, or what the terrain, I feel my feet are firmly planted.  There’s simply not a lie these shoes can’t handle.

For golfers with a lot of lateral movement in your swing, or who roll your ankles on the follow-through, the Lunar Control II are virtually kickstands for your feet.  And a stable base potentially means better leverage and increased clubhead speed. 

I was initially hesitant about the shoes only having six spikes, but the Champs Zarma spikes and strategically placed nubs really grab the turf.  Even on wet days I can go after it without concern about slipping or spinning out of a shot.

 

The spikes seem to collect more grass than other spikes I’ve used.  But that’s easy to clean out, and a welcome tradeoff for the mountain lion grip.

And speaking of wet days, not only are the Lunar Control II waterproof, they’re also surprisingly breathable for leather shoes.  Nike gives you a 2-year waterproof guaranty on the Lunar Control II.  But they could just as easily give you an absolute satisfaction guaranty.

Conclusion

You’re getting top-of-the-line comfort and performance, at a middle-of-the-road price with the new Lunar Control II golf shoes.  If you’re in the market for new spiked shoes, you really owe it to yourself to check them out.

But even if you’re not looking for new shoes, I’d encourage you to try them on the next time you’re at a golf store.  And then good luck leaving the store without buying them. 

©PGAPappas 

You can follow Pete on twitter @PGAPappas and on blogspot at PGAPappas.blogspot.  

And follow Nike Golf on facebook and on twitter @NikeGolf for the most up to date Nike Golf news.