Today's Highlights

• ReelFit not to be tied
• Fairway & Greene success hard to quantify
• Fits like a glove

NEWS

Lija inks Bakken, Tucker to extensions

Lija extends its endorsement agreements with tour pros Katie Bakken and Kristina Tucker.

Champ on winner's feet at PODS

Champ reports that the winner of the PODS Championship used its spikes.

FEATURE

ReelFit not to be tied

By Vartan Kupelian
GPA Fashion Correspondent

The initial reaction to FootJoy's new ReelFit shoe is something like this: "Whoa! You show up Saturday morning for your regular game wearing a dial-up shoe that looks like something out of Star Wars you better be ready for grief from the pals in your foursome."

The next reaction after wearing the ReelFit is likely to be something like, "Let 'em think what they want. These shoes are comfortable and stable."

The folks at FootJoy are counting on that response to their newest model, which employs the Boa Lacing System. FootJoy is the first golf shoe using the dial-up lacing but certainly not the first in the sports industry.

Boa Technology, based in Steamboat Springs and Denver, has seen its lacing system used on snowboard boots, athletic shoes, skates, cycling shoes, wakeboard boots, hunting boots and other high performance footwear.

Tip of the day A few simple steps for care and maintenance can help significantly extend the life of golf shoes and protect your investment. In addition, proper care allows shoes to perform as designed and engineered by the manufacturer. Do Spend just a few minutes removing dirt and mud after a round and before you slam the shoes back into the trunk. If you play more than once a week, rotate shoes to give a wet pair time to dry and recover before it is used again. Both pairs will last longer. Use a shoe horn. Use shoe trees. Cedar, which absorbs moisture, is much preferred over plastic. Don't Leave the shoes in the trunk where heat and cold will inevitably lead to damage. Use a hair dryer or a space heater to dry your shoes. Instead, insert newspapers to soak up any water. Replace the plastic spikes individually. Replace them all together for better traction, comfort and security. Plastic spikes aren't automobile tires. You can't rotate them. Use tattered and shredded laces. Poor laces mean poor pressure and less comfort.

FootJoy's ReelFit system came out in late October, 2006. Some parts of the country, most notably the upper Midwest, are just now getting their first glimpse at the product. FootJoy has supported the ReelFit launch with multi-page advertising in industry publications.

"It's been received well by people who have tried it and worn it," said Whitney Trimble, FootJoy marketing manager.

Here's how the ReelFit works. There is a nickel-sized reel that protrudes from the back of the shoe. It is engaged by pushing in to turn the reel until the shoe, and the laces, are snug. No other lacing is required. The turning of the reel is accompanied by clicks as the laces are tightened for a perfect fit. The company says that provides a custom fit.

To remove the shoe, the dial is pulled out and the lacing is released.

"What it does is to help the foot be more secure in the shoe," Trimble said. "The foot settles down and back in the shoe and that helps with stability and evens the pressure over the laces."

The last point is a reference to all the times when a shoe is improperly laced with less pressure on the lower laces and tighter pressure on the upper laces.

Trimble acknowledged that the ReelFit has evoked an unusual reaction or two among players for whom the look may conjure up images of something out of the future. He said up to 10 players weekly are wearing the shoe on the PGA Tour, among them Davis Love III, David Toms, Adam Scott, Scott Verplank and J.B. Holmes.

Love has been wearing ReelFit golf shoes since they were introduced late in 2006. He said in addition to the comfort factor the ReelFit "provides great traction and stability throughout my swing."

For Scott, the feel on the top of the foot is "unlike anything I have worn before."

Other features of the ReelFit shoe are the premium waterproof ECL (Extreme Comfort Leather) by Pittards of England; full leather linings; cushioned Fit-Beds; two-year waterproof guarantee; and GelCollar with IntelliTemp cooling. Varying densities of TPU (thermoplastic urethane) are strategically placed throughout the outsole for stability, flexibility and walking comfort.

FootJoy is offering ReelFit in three models: black and brown saddle, and all-black, with a suggested retail price of $225 and a street price expected to be in the $180 range.