After a recent wave of testing golf shoes with a more casual bent, I was excited to get my hands on the Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 3. I exhaled those casual styles and inhaled the traditional golf shoe aesthetic. For example, the difference between my most recent Nike review of the Air Pegasus 89’ G and the Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 is unreal. The Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 would’ve made the early, great golfers smile.
This is also the first spiked model I’ve tested in quite some time, and I almost forgot what spiked traction feels like. Classy, clean, and stocked to the brim with performance, the Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 is a great addition to your bag with minimal downside.
Let’s head to the first tee… I mean, section!
Please forgive the dad joke. I recently found out I’m going to be a father! 
Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 3
Price: $190
Sizing: Half size up
Fit
Nike recommends sizing up a half size, and my normal 11.5 was definitely snug in most places.
The only portion of the Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 that felt roomy was the heel. I noticed quite a large amount of heel slippage on my right foot specifically. I wish I could say that this was a single-round occurrence, but I ended up with slight blisters on my right heel after multiple rounds.
So while Nike offers a wide option (and those with wide feet should go for it due to the snug fit elsewhere), this specific issue with heel fit could complicate matters. It could be a personal fit problem in my case, considering it only affected my right heel. But if heel slippage is often your Achilles’ heel [Editor’s Note: We just can’t stop ourselves when it comes to this joke, and Tyler’s impending fatherhood isn’t going to help], be aware that you may have a similar experience to mine.
Traction
Since this is a model containing traditional spikes, one could assume that the traction offered is solid.
If you made this assumption about the Air Zoom Victory Tour 3, you’d be correct!
The Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 features seven spikes that provide the majority of the traction for the shoe. Two spikes sit on the heel, and the other five run from the middle to the front of the shoe. I should also mention that these aren’t just seven identical spikes. Some are more basic while others are a bit beefier in nature.
Nike outsourced the spikes and left it up to Softspikes to get the job done. We get Tour Flex Pro up front and Silver Tornado on the lateral side and heel.
The Tour Flex Pro seemed superior. I tested the traction in wet and dry conditions and was thoroughly impressed. Bunker shots felt $$$, and gave me a fond memory of a gnarly bunker shot that I was able to drop to 8 feet. Everyone was impressed, and I sunk the putt to save par.
So, wet or dry, the Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 is a solid choice if you’re picking a golf shoe with traction in mind.
Cushion
I wasn’t, however, very impressed with the cushioning of the Air Zoom Victory Tour 3.
It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great. It’s just…average.
I should note that Rory McIlroy has worn the Air Zoom Victory 3 in plenty of tournaments, which leads me to believe it’s at least up to his standard. He’s number two in the world, after all, so it’s probably got something to offer.
There’s additional foam under the heel that was noticeable when I removed the insole to feel around. If you’re searching for comfort for your Achilles and the back portion of your foot, this is a decent option (so long as you get a good heel fit).
There’s also a Zoom Air unit directly attached to the upper (instead of being set within the foam) that adds some comfort and reduces soreness.
We get a full length plate beneath the air unit that provides additional comfort, but it was minor.
While I can’t rave about the cushioning offered with the Air Zoom Victory Tour 3, it’s a solid option for the golfer who plays 1-2 times per week. If you’re playing much more than that, I’d suggest finding a spiked option with better cushioning. For example, check out my review of the FootJoy Tour Alpha Triple BOA.
Support
There’s not too much going on in the support department, but I’ll mention the two major factors intended to enhance the support for the Air Zoom Victory Tour 3.
The first is a simple internal strap that is meant to lock your foot in its natural place within the shoe.
The second is a molded 3-D collar that’s supposed to help with stability.
My feet felt natural enough in the Air Zoom Victory Tour 3, but it’s hard to tell how effective these features were from a support standpoint due to the heel slippage on my right foot. That one factor unfortunately muddied the waters when it came to evaluating some of the features the Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 has to offer.
Price
Price is dependent on the colorway, but you’re looking at roughly $120 for the Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 due to current sales.
I wouldn’t say that this is the best spiked golf shoe on the market (certainly not at its original MSRP of $190). But considering the respectable performance and the fact that most spiked models are more expensive, $120 makes the Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 a solid place to start if you’re looking for a “starter” spiked shoe.
Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 Summary
The Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 is a battle-tested contender suited for golfers that play a few rounds per week. Whether you’re a new golfer looking for your first golf shoe or a seasoned veteran, this is an option that’s above average.
This is a classy Nike golf shoe. For those of you who watch golf, I picture the Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 as a “Ryder Cup” worthy shoe. A shoe that you look at and say, “Wow… that’s clean.
The traction is top-tier and competes well with the top spiked models in the game. Whether you’re a stick that is constantly playing from the fairway or someone like me who is hitting from wherever the ball ends up, you’ll get the performance you need in the traction department.
The cushioning and support aren’t anything to write home about (so if that’s what you’re most focused on, choose a different option), but they do the trick. I played several rounds that included a fair amount of walking in the Air Zoom Victory Tour 3.
Click here to go to our golf section to compare the Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 with other spiked models.
There’s one question that sums up how good a golf shoe is…
Can I recommend this shoe to friends and family?
The answer with the Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 is yes.
The caveat? I’m wary of recommending this shoe for players that are golfing more than 2-3 rounds per week.
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 Nike did send a pair of the Victory Tour 3 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.
