Under Armour jumped feet first into the golf shoe market in 2016, releasing in April its first generation of golf shoes. The Baltimore, Md., based company came out with three models, including the Drive One, as worn by Jordan Spieth, the Tempo Tour and Tempo Hybrid.
Of the three models, the Tempo Tour is the most upscale shoe. I've had the shoes for the last month or so and have been taking them out for several rounds in a variety of conditions, from wet to somewhat dry, as well in cool and warmer conditions.
The Tempo Tour is a great looking shoe. Available in three colorways, its aesthetic is a mix of classic golf shoes and modern flare. The leather upper sports a mesh pattern on the toe and forefoot, while the solid color on the outside of the foot gives way to a camo-style pattern on the inside of the foot. The shoe is guaranteed waterproof for two years.
The upper feels firm, like a classic golf shoe. It retains its shape. A few golfers may find it too firm when they try it on, but that feeling doesn't persist on the course unless you're high-stepping through knee-high rough. The laces aren't thick.
The Tempo Tour is a comfortable shoe to wear. The removable molded sockliner keeps the foot in place, but it still has room to breath. The shoe sports a midsole made with Charged Cushioning, a foam that delivers energy back to the foot with each step. That's an absolute must for a modern golf shoe.
One thing that made me particularly happy about the fit was the size of the toe box. I have a few other pairs of Under Armour shoes, and it's been a battle at times to find the right fit for my wide foot. In one case, with a running shoe, the toe box was a little tight but fine for running. In a casual shoe, the toe box was woefully small and I had to size up. With the Tempo Tour, the shoe should fit true to other shoes' sizing and it's comfortable throughout the round. The toe box isn't so wide that it can feel like clown shoes.
The shoe grips very well, maybe too well. A TPU lateral wrap stabilizes the heel. The nine-cleat pattern features Champ Zarma Tour spikes, which grip very well on all surfaces. However, my head groundskeeper gave me the stink eye when he saw the shoes, concerned what the spikes could do to putting surfaces at our club. If the super's opinion matters to you, maybe keep the Tempo Tours in the locker when it's really wet out there.
Like with almost every new pair of spiked golf shoes, I developed a small heel blister on my left foot. That's not on the shoe. That's on my sensitive feet and not always picking the right sock size for the new shoe.
The Under Armour Tempo Tour shoe is available now in three colorways (white/red accent, black/blue accent, white/white) for $220.
