Back on my 2011 trip to St. Andrews I brought with me a pair of standard “dress” style golf shoes. That was a mistake. While the shoe performed fine, the impact on my body over time was hard. On that trip I played 36/day for about a week. After a couple of days I could barely walk in the mornings. My joints and feet were so sore from the combination of the very hard ground and the dressy golf shoes not providing any cushion. For the 2nd half of the week I switched to wearing my running shoes to save on some of the impact.
Puma Faas Lite Mesh Golf Shoes – click for more images
This time around (last week in fact) on my 2nd trip to St. Andrews, I brought with me different shoes, none of which were the dress style. I brought softer and lighter shoes without the platform to house golf spikes. Right out of the gate I sported the Puma Faas Lite Mesh golf shoes. What a huge difference on my enjoyment of walking around the Home of Golf. The impact on my body was minimal and the shoes, the lightest in the golf industry right now, helped me truly enjoy golf’s greatest walk.
Faas Lite Sole – click to zoom
Faas Lite Features
Puma’s Faas Lite’s are a single layer mesh shoe which is very breathable. Because of the breathability and mesh, they’re not waterproof. Not a problem for me. I have plenty of waterproof shoes.
When I’m sporting the Faas Lites it is because I need to keep cool in the hot summer. Puma’s “coolCELL” technology takes care of that.
The flexibility of the shoe is possibly the highest of any golf shoe I’ve ever worn. Once they’re on your feet, they bend with your feet.
The sole of the shoe is a hybrid design with no screw-in spikes. Even though there aren’t spikes, Puma’s “SmartQull” pattern and corrugated flex grooves ensure traction and stability in the golf swing.
Speaking of the sole, these shoes may have the thinnest sole of any shoe I’ve ever worn, golf or not. The “heel to toe drop” of the shoe is zero. For the golfer, that means comfort, better posture and a more natural walking stride.
At 6.5 ounces this shoe is light. Lightweight foam and rubber advancements help make this shoe the lightest in golf.
Despite the light foams and thin sole, the shoe is very durable due to Puma’s “EverTrack” carbon rubber in the forefoot and heel.
Colors
The Faas Lite Mesh shoe is available in two colors: Vibrant, Rickie Fowler Orange, and white-black. I don’t dress in all orange like Mr. Fowler, so I chose the white-black model since it will match just about any outfit I own.
Toe View – Puma Faas Lite Mesh Golf Shoe – click to zoom
On The Course
I’ve walked some very hilly courses at home in 100+ degree temperatures. The shoes don’t weigh me down. They breath very well and help me keep as cool as possible.
I’ve found the traction and stability to be fantastic with the Faas Lites. No problems with slippage.
One thing I had to get used to was the thin sole. Most golf shoes have quite a thick platform to accommodate spike receptacles. With the super-thin soles and no spikes, I’m closer to the ground. Simply being aware of that in the swing is important to prevent chunking shots (hitting the ground with the club too much).
Editor’s Note
The Faas Lite Mesh is a slightly different and lighter shoe than Puma’s Faas Lite.
Conclusion
At only $90 retail, the Puma Faas Lite Mesh golf shoe is light on the wallet as well as light on the foot. The Faas Lite Mesh golf shoe is NOT light on style, comfort or performance.
Related Links
Puma Faas Lite Photos
HOGWire – Golf Industry News
Puma Golf combines the latest innovations in golf shoes with the Faas Lite Mesh shoe. Puma has done an incredible work by coming up with these golf shoes. Puma really rocks! Love it!