The 2009 U.S. Open Championship in June at Bethpage Black, was probably one of the wettest U.S. Open’s I can remember, with torrential rains, gusty winds, and cool temperatures. And playing in those types of conditions, would easily keep most golfers away. Most golf shoes on the market are waterproof to some extent, but none have been developed for playing in harsh conditions. Nike Golf’s answer to playing in playing in wet weather conditions like those at Bethpage Black is the Nike Zoom Bandon golf shoe.

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Look and Feel
The mid-cut designed Nike Zoom Bandon features a seam sealed synthetic upper that is booth breathable and flexible, with a waterproof lining. The interior of the Nike Zoom Bandon has a full-length padded sock liner, that hugs your foot to help keep your feet comfortable and dry . When you look at the shoe, it looks like a mid-cut aqua sock turned golf shoe with its zipper shroud closure that keeps the water out and your laces dry, at the same time blocking water from entering at your ankle. The Nike Zoom Bandon golf shoe also has a very unique dot like gradient pattern that is outlined in a reflective silver, that is also seen in the Nike Storm-Fit Elite jacket and pants.

Besides wet weather protection, the Nike Zoom Bandon also features Nike Zoom Air unit in the heel of the shoe for comfort and stability when walking. The full-length Phylon midsole also features the Nike Power Platform, for better balance and easy weight transfer during your golf swing, and Scorpion Stinger Spikes for traction.

In terms of weight, the Nike Zoom Bandon are on the heavy side, so I had my reservations for how truly comfortable they would be to play in.

Performance
The day I tried out the Nike Zoom Bandon golf shoes, it was a blustery and cold overcast day with light rain. The course was still very wet from several days of rain and the conditions were very soft. On a cool and miserable day like this, I was glad to be wearing a mid-cut golf shoe. I couldn’t imagine playing in those conditions wearing a regular pair of golf shoe. My ankles would have frozen in those conditions and I’d be worried about watering seeping in around my ankles while walking around the course.

One of the big problems with synthetic materials is they have a tendency to be not very flexible and breathable. I was concerned that the Nike Zoom Bandon would be very uncomfortable to wear and not very breathable, because of the synthetic uppers and mid-cut height. This wasn’t the case at all when I wore them. I found the synthetic uppers to be extremely comfortable when walking and the padded sock liner did a great job of keeping my feet at a cool and dry. No clammy wet feet after 18 holes.

The zipper shroud closure is a feature that did a great job of keeping the elements from entering at my ankles and keeping my feet dry. And you don’t have to worry about getting your laces wet or untying either. Wearing the Nike Zoom Bandon, I felt like there was no way water was going to get into these shoes.

Comfort
Like I mentioned before, the Zoom Bandon are a mid-cut golf shoe and I had some reservations about how comfortable it would be playing 18 holes in them. I can tell you that this isn’t a major issue. While the shoes are a little heavy, I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to walk in these shoes. The Phylone mid-sole couple with the Nike Zoom Air unit in the heel did a good job of keeping my feet comfortable throughout my round. What I really liked is how well the Scorpion Stinger Spikes provided traction in the wet conditions, without getting clogged with mud. This is a bonus and makes it easier to clean the shoe post round.

The Nike Power Platform that is used in the Zoom Bandon also does a great job of helping you keep your balance for better foot work and weight transfer during your golf swing. I wasn’t expecting this to be the case, since it’s a mid-cut golf shoe.

Overall, the Nike Zoom Bandon are a great pair of wet weather golf shoes, that not only keep your feet dry, but are also comfortable wear. If you play a lot of Fall golf or live in the Pacific Northwest, you really should invest in a pair of Nike Zoom Bandon golf shoes. Your feet will thank you.

Nike Zoom Bandon MSRP $176
Black/Black-Varsity Red
2 Year Limited Waterproof Warranty

This week at Bethpage Black, Tiger Woods will be going for his 15th Major at the 2009 U.S. Open.  Nike Golf sent me a box of the golf shirts from Tiger Woods Collection that he will be wearing each day of the 2009 U.S. Open, called “The Dress Code for Bethpage Black.” 

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The Tiger Woods Collection incorporates a full assortment of styles, that blend the best in class technology for the discerning player’s on-course performance and off-course lifestyle needs. All the shirts feature Nike’s Dri-FIT technology that help keep you comfortable and dry by wicking perspiration from your skin to the outside of the garment for rapid evaporation. Plus 30 UPF.

Another nice touch is the use of Mercerized technology, which uses mercerized cotton on the outer surface for a soft luxurious touch, and Dri-FIT technology on the inside.

The Dress Code

Thursday, June 18th Dri-Fit Ground Strip Polo (Dri-FIT UV) in Midnight Navy, MSRP $85

Friday, June 19th Dri-FIT Texture Mock (Dri-FIT Mercerized) in White, MSRP $75

Saturday, June 20th Dri-FIT Fine Stripe Polo (Dri-FIT UV) in Boarder Blue, MSRP $85

Sunday, June 21st Dri-FIT Diagonal Texture Polo (Dri-FIT Mercerized) in Carmine, MSRP $80

For more information visit http://www.nike.com/nikegolf/index.htm

The U.S. Open, to be held this year at Bethpage State Park’s Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y., is one of four major golf events, including the Masters, PGA Championship and the British Open, at which DIRECTV will showcase its expanded, interactive coverage.

DIRECTV’s 2009 U.S. Open Experience

DIRECTV’s “U.S. Open Experience” will be available all four days  (June 18-21) of the prestigious USGA event for the first time, and only DIRECTV will offer TV viewers three extra channels in addition to ESPN’s coverage on Thursday and Friday and NBC Sports’ broadcast on Saturday and Sunday – all available in HD.  

Mix Channel viewers will see the home network channel and three feature channels that will follow a group of golfers around the 7,426-yard course, focus on particular area of the course and provide an “in-depth” channel with live updates, highlights and interviews.  Each of the extra channels will be offered in both standard- and high-definition and are fully produced with their own production crew and announcers. Customers with interactive receivers can view all four channels in the Mix and use their remote to listen to any channel’s audio or tune directly to the full-screen channel. The Mix also features a real-time leader board to keep tabs on all the action.

For more information visit http://www.directv.com.