Tag: Kikkor Shoes

  • 5 Golf Companies You Have Not Heard Of

     

    Putter Lounge's Element 29 FinishThe golf industry is so huge that every year at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando Florida, the industry fills up most of the exhibition and meeting space in the Orange County Convention Center. That’s almost 14 million square feet of golf clubs, apparel, accessories, trinkets and gadgets. More than 1000 companies come to show off their stuff to over 40,000 golf industry professionals from 75 countries. It’s all quite overwhelming. Every year we do our best to see everything, and every year we fail miserably. So I thought I would take a little time to introduce you to a few companies that most casual golfers may not know about. (Click on the photos to zoom in)


     Putter Lounge – Based in Colorado, these folks perform small miracles with putters. Want to refinish an old Scotty Cameron or Bettinardi? They offer seven different options, from the classic black oxide to midnight oil and the super popular candy white finish. Their new “element 29” finish (See photo above) is also sure to turn heads. These guys will make an old putter look brand new, and even fit your flat stick with a new shaft and grip if you want. I sent my Bettinardi BB8 to them to have the candy white finish applied and the results were stunning. Check out the photos here. Prices hover around $100 for refinishing. Very reasonable! Check them out at www.putterlounge.com

    Kikkor Golf Tenny Clayburn ShoesKikkor Golf – Kikkor makes golf shoes that your dad wouldn’t wear. The casual, skater inspired styles are very popular with the younger generation of golfers and are designed to be an alternative to the standard golf shoes we all grew up with. They are very comfortable, supportive and reasonably priced. With many different styles and colors available, there is something for everyone. I love them because I can wear them out of the house and to the bar after golf! They just look like a pair of sneaks. Check out our full review here and use our special promo code “intothegrain” at checkout to save 10% for yourself!
    Energy Athletic IonX Shirt Energy Athletic – Ever spend $30 for a little rubber ionic bracelet? Oh yeah, I’m sure it really works… Seriously though, for those who tout the benefits of these bracelets, wouldn’t you like to enjoy the benefits of that ionic material all over your body, rather than just on your wrist? Energy Athletic Golf Apparel has the solution. The IonX Ionized Energy Fabric, exclusive to Energy Athletic Golf, delivers ionized energy to the entire upper body through a negatively charged electromagnetic field built into the molecular structure of the fabric. This is supposed to increase your energy, focus and performance. The shirts look good and cost about $70, which is a way better deal than a stupid looking rubber bracelet. www.wearenergy.com Piretti Cottonwood 2 PN in Midnight BlackPiretti Golf – Piretti makes putters. Lots of companies make putters, but the smaller guys seem to do a better job at it than the big companies. Piretti is no exception. Their flat sticks are made with more weight and less loft than most, and they use soft metals and CNC milling to get the specs perfect. At the 2011 PGA Merchandise Show I saw and rolled putts with dozens and dozens of putters, but the Piretti Cortino LN that I tried was the best. With the added weight and slightly less loft, the ball seems to roll off the face especially well on faster greens. Piretti’s prices are also excellent. Unlike some of the bigger guys who charge almost as much for so-called “limited edition” head covers, for just under $300 you'll get a custom built, ultra premium putter that will have your playing partners wishing they heard of them first. View the full line at www.pirettigolf.com Royal Collection JP104 Fairway WoodRoyal Collection – Remember Sonartec, the popular fairway woods that took the PGA Tour by storm and were endorsed by Nick Price? If not, you need to get out more! The parent company of the now defunct Sonartec is Royal Collection. Based in Japan, they have been the #1 fairway woods and hybrid on the Japan PGA Tours for 7 years in a row. Known for the familiar “driving cavity” feature, they produce the best feeling and performing fairway woods on the planet. Not sure how they do it, but if you want to find out they will now be available in the U.S. through select dealers. Save your pennies though, because the best fairways in the world don’t come cheap. Expect to pay over $300 per club. I think they are worth it. Check out the whole line of fantastic drivers, woods, irons and wedges at www.royalcollectionusa.com. You can thank me later.

    Subscribe to our email updates! You'll get the latest fresh news, reviews and stories delivered right to your inbox or RSS reader, and automatically be entered in our latest contests and giveaways! We are 100% SPAM FREE! Also, don't forget to check in with our Facebook fan page for exclusive content and get involved by leaving us comments on what you think!

  • Kikkor Golf Shoes

    Kikkor Golf Eppik 2.0 Blue Swede on GreenLate in 2008, 25 year old James Lepp and some of his friends came up with the concept for a new type of golf shoe company called Kikkor Golf. The idea was to deliver a golf shoe for the younger crowd (or young at heart) that didn’t fit the mold of the typical adult golf shoe. Instead, Kikkor makes golf shoes in the skater mold with comfort and style in mind, without ignoring the important technical attributes such as grip, stability, waterproofing, and durability. The idea is a good one, because there was lots of buzz about the brand at the 2011 PGA Merchandise Show! So why does Kikkor make golf shoes that look more at home in a skate park or Pac Sun store? Well, according to the company Kikkor is here for four reasons. 1. It doesn’t matter what age you are, 10, 25, or 45, nobody truly wants to wear the same stuff as their dad. 2. The golf shoe industry consistently designs shoes that are targeted only for the older demographic, leaving younger players with very few options that match their personal style. 3. Do we really have to wear dress shoes on the golf course? 4. The need for really comfortable golf shoes.

    Kikkor Golf James Lepp with Eppik 2.0 Swede on wallBefore founding Kikkor, James Lepp enjoyed a great deal of success as a golfer. Playing at the University of Washington in 2005, he became the first Canadian male to ever win the NCAA Division 1 Championship. He also won the British Columbia Amateur four years in a row starting in 2002, and won the Canadian Tour’s Greater Vancouver Classic twice. Once as an amateur in 2003 and again as a professional in 2007. In other words, James has walked a lot of golf courses and knows that a comfortable pair of golf shoes is very important.

    Kikkor has several different models to choose from. While some models, like the Eppik 2.0 use replaceable Champ Q lok spikes, other models like the Tenny have permanent spikes that Kikkor calls their Diacon Embedded Spike System (DESS). The common theme across the entire line is comfort and style. You won’t find any typical saddle style golf shoes here, only more casual and fun styles. I got my hands on a pair of the men’s Tenny in white and I’ve been wearing them for several months. Not only am I impressed, but my fellow golfers are taking notice, because they are always asking me about my shoes and where to get them!

    Kikkor Tenny White ClassicThe biggest test for my new Kikkor shoes came a few weeks ago at a US Amateur Public Links qualifier. Most golf courses down here in Florida require one to use a golf cart, and the courses that allow walking see far fewer walkers during the brutally hot summer months. When I signed up for the qualifier in late May, I knew that the competitors were required to walk for 36 holes in the heat. With temperatures forecast in the low 90s, I was primarily concerned with having some comfortable shoes and staying hydrated.

    The Kikkor Tennys performed flawlessly. I was comfortable all day, the traction was good even in the morning dew, and their looks garnered plenty of attention from the other players and caddies. After numerous rounds, practice sessions and several miles of walking on the odometer, I noticed one small problem. The thin fabric covering on the top of the insole was peeling from the heel area. This is just a cosmetic thing, and it didn’t affect the performance or fit of the shoe. The DESS permanent spikes are supposed to last the life of the shoe, and while the heel area is starting to show signs of wear I have no reason to believe this claim isn’t true.

    Kikkor Retra Hot and ColdMy Kikkor Tenny shoes have become my main golf shoes, not only for their comfort and performance, but also because I am lazy and with these I don’t have to change shoes in the parking lot at the golf course. I simply wear them to and from the course without having to worry about walking into a bar after the round wearing golf shoes or sandals with a horrible golfer tan. You could always get a pair of Cleatskins to wear your golf shoes in public, but just wearing my Kikkors is my choice.

    Most of the models offered come with a 1-year limited waterproof guarantee and an extra pair of laces in a different color. My White Tennys came with black and white laces. The ladies also get some sharp looking models. Most models sell for $80-100 and Kikkor.com has the occasional sale where the prices drop quite a bit.

    Kikkor Golf James Lepp JumpingKikkor is run by a bunch of young entrepreneurs, and as such they know when to work hard and play hard. Check out the video below of founder James Lepp showing off his considerable skills at his trademark shot, called the saucer pass, and when you are ready to get your very own box of awesomeness, click the Kikkor banner on the right side of the page or use the promo code “intothegrain” at the Kikkor online store for a 10% discount on your order!