Can you use the word sexy to describe a golf shoe? You can if it’s the G/FORE G/18.
G/FORE impressed in their WearTesters debut with the GALLIVAN2R. So when they approached me with the G/18, I was more than willing to put them to the test.
The G/Fore G/18 goes spikeless, but, surprisingly enough, the traction doesn’t suffer.
While it’s not the traditional golf shoe style found in the GALLIVAN2R, the G/18 meshes business with pleasure to create a beast for the links (Editor’s Note: If you’d said “party” rather than “pleasure”, I’d be worried we might have the mullet of golf shoes on our hands).
Let’s jump in.
G/Fore G/18
Price: $250
Sizing: True to size lengthwise,
Fit
The G/Fore G/18 fits nicely – for the most part. But if there’s a line between being a perfect fit and being too tight, the G/18 straddles it. There were times that I felt that the G/18 crossed over into being just a titch too snug.
I’d say I’m right in the middle of normal and wide feet. They felt the most snug on top of the foot for me.
If you have wide feet, expect a tight fit. I’m not going to say avoid them altogether because the G/Fore G/18 is a great shoe. But wide-footed readers may need to proceed with caution. For those with narrow feet, don’t stress.
Traction
Going spikeless usually means you’re trading a portion of the traction’s performance for comfort and style.
Yet the G/Fore G/18’s traction control stayed superb even in the absence of spikes.
The bottom is equipped with rubber tread patterns layered across three levels of the outsole. These three sections created optimal traction in both wet and dry conditions.
The traction extends onto the toes on the outsole of the shoe which I found very interesting. I’m not sure if it added any benefit for traction mid-round, but it’s there. If I had to guess, I’d say that it’s there for instances of climbing up or down hills on the golf course.
I had the opportunity to wear the G/18 on a day when my golf course shut down mid-round due to rain and lightning. I probably should’ve left the course immediately (Editor’s Note: “probably”…?!), but I took the opportunity to turn that specific round into my own Open Championship.
Before it got really bad, I was +2 through 4 holes. The G/18 championed a very solid round before I decided to call it a day and not end up like Ben Franklin.
For those in wet climates, the traction and waterproof durability were top notch in the rain.
(Editor’s Note: While we appreciate your commitment to testing, Tyler, we’re decidedly more thrilled that you lived to tell the tale and would like you to continue to do so in future by not waving around a metal rod in a lightning storm).
Cushion
The G/Fore G/18 provides extremely solid cushion on the course.
Just like the GALLIVAN2R, the G/18 features massaging insoles intended to provide additional cushion for the bottom of the foot. This feature actually caused a small amount of soreness for my feet in the GALLIVAN2R, but those frustrations were thankfully mitigated with the G/18.
They felt great on the course, but I wouldn’t count on them for extended, off-course wear. I wore them to work after one of my morning rounds, and my feet felt sore by the end of my eight-hour day.
That said, you can expect solid on-course cushion round after round with the G/18.
Another convenient part about the insoles is the fact that they’re removable and machine washable. This is a big win for someone who sweats a lot and tends to have stinkier feet.
Support
The G/Fore G/18 supported every aspect of the foot well.
G/FORE focused a lot on the stability and technology from heel to toe, with the most impressive feature being the heel-to-toe rocker. This provided more stability and reduced effort, especially when walking over more rugged terrain.
If you’re anything like me, you probably tend to swing too hard, which can cause balance difficulties. I felt like the G/18 went to work for me immediately and countered my out-of-control swings with its stability – which ultimately helped me hit the ball better with greater balance.
The aforementioned heel rocker is not just marketing speaking. The G/18 felt great on my feet walking from shot to shot and I believe it increased balance which mitigated my higher swing speeds.
There really isn’t anything too snazzy with the support of the G/Fore G/18 beyond the feel of the heel-to-toe rocker, but the performance was solid. I don’t think that any of the technology used here is groundbreaking, but I had no complaints with the support and stability of the G/18.
Price
To be completely and utterly blunt, I’m not sure what inspired G/FORE to price these at $250.
Don’t get me wrong, the G/Fore G/18 is an amazing shoe. I’m just not sure if it’s worth the price of (nearly) two Titleist Vokey Wedges.
In my opinion, the GALLIVAN2R is just as good as the G/18.
They went spikeless with the G/18 and decided to raise the price by $75.
If you’re trying to be cost-conscious and want to go spikeless, look for similar shoes at a lower price from another trusted brand (you can find all our golf shoe reviews here).
(Non-Performance-Based) Bonus
I received a purple, G/FORE ball marker with my G/18 shoes.
I know this is trivial; but for me, it was like the toy at the bottom of the cereal box. The minute that I took my shoes out of the box, I noticed the ball marker; and I couldn’t help but smile and show it off to my friend (Editor’s Note: We’re all just children at heart in the end).
The Wrap on the G/Fore G/18
Aside from the too-high price, I will recommend the G/Fore G/18 to everyone asking for golf shoe recommendations – particularly to my “look good, feel good, play good” golfers out there. If that’s you, the G/18 is your shoe.
G/FORE has successfully bridged the gap between golf performance and luxury fashion, making the swagger that encapsulates the G/18 worth the buy alone (for those with the budget for it, of course).
Personally, I preferred the GALLIVAN2R over the G/18, but both are good options with little to no difference in traction. It boils down to whether or not you prefer spikes.
I give the G/Fore G/18 a 9/10, with a point missed for the slight amount of tightness felt in the fit category.
Like I said before, I will continue to recommend G/FORE as a brand to anyone looking for new golf shoes. And the G/18 is stellar.
How the Author Golfs
Tyler Allred (19 handicap): Golfs 2-3 times a week spending the bulk of his time playing actual rounds. Mostly pushes himself to improve every part of his game, but also enjoys a casual round of golf every now and then.
Disclosure
While G/Fore did send a pair of the G/18 to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.
