Rory's Got A New Driver, But About Those Shoes...

Lots of attention has been given to Rory McIlroy using Taylor Made woods at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai starting tomorrow, and rightfully so given his influence and prowess off the tee.

Steve Hennessey with the details here at GolfDigest.com.

But of far more interest to me is the Nike shoe McIlroy is debuting. The actual shoe look and design doesn't move any needles here, but the sole has the potential to be groundbreaking if it passes two tests: player and greenkeeper.

From McIlroy's point of view the traction is there. Now we await the reaction from greenkeepers and how the sole impacts putting surfaces.

G.C. Digital with the details of Nike's new "Lunar Control Vapor."

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve played golf in spiked footwear, and up until two years ago those spikes were metal,” he is quoted on Nike's website. “Through its drive to innovate and bring the sport to new places, Nike has created a new traction system that provides me with a stable base to push off the ground and deliver the distance I need off the tee.”

Nike says the sole was inspired by the tread on snowmobiles. The upper is lightweight microfiber with a two-year waterproof guarantee.

The shoe, explained here at Nike's site, will be available in the United States in limited colors via the Nike+ App on Nov. 22, with a wider release slated for November 25th.