Shoe News
Cole Haan is back into golf—transforming three of its most popular styles
No strangers to golf footwear, dress shoe company Cole Haan has released a collection of men’s and women’s golf shoes inspired by the brand’s most popular styles. Spikeless-golf-shoe versions are now available in the refined oxford OriginalGrand, the lux street sneaker GrandPro AM and the tennis-shoe-inspired Zerogrand. We caught up with the Cole Haan team to learn more about the launch and walk us through the line on sale now on the Cole Haan website and at Golf Galaxy.
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The upscale footwear brand is known for its quality dress shoes mounted on athletic soles for sophisticated-yet-comfortable styling. Though the oxfords are the brand’s marquee shoe, Cole Haan’s more athletic silhouettes have gained popularity in recent years as fashion trends skew more casual. It’s a return to blending sport and style for the 92-year-old company, says brand president David Maddocks.
“The idea started with [co-founder] Eddie Haan nearly 80 years ago when he first patented Cole Haan golf shoes,” Maddocks said. “Our product was as rooted in technology then as it is now.”
Like many, the Cole Haan golf shoe line fizzled out in the 1980s with relics becoming collector’s items scattered across eBay and in the back of closets. The resurgence was inspired by the uptick of golf participation and years of customers asking for a modern golf shoe from the brand.
“Golf is inherent in Cole Haan DNA, and we made it a priority that our golf product would provide for the technical needs throughout their game no matter their level of play,” said chief creative officer Scott Patt. “Performance and craftmanship come first, but equally important was our attention on the style preferences of our customer. We took it as an opportunity as a brand to relax and take a lighthearted approach to product.”
ØriginalGrand Golf Shoe (Grey Camo)
“The ØriginalGrand Golf Shoe is classic, with a twist. The oxford style prioritizes maximum cushioning via a full-length GRANDFØAM footbed and midsole, with weather-ready uppers and multi-directional traction pattern on the outsole for a sure-footed grip.” —Scott Patt, chief creative officer
More to consider:
GrandPrø AM Golf Sneaker (Brown)
“The GrandPrø AM Golf Sneaker draws inspiration from our GrandPrø Rally Court sneaker, engineered with a GRANDFØAM midsole and removable Ortholite® sockliner for multi-layered comfort and lightweight construction. The men’s and women’s styles are also weather-proof, while leveraging a full-length, multi-directional beveled rubber lug design for stability and traction.” —S.P.
More to consider:
Men's Generation ZERØGRAND Golf Sneaker (Blue/Gray)
“The upper is made of our proprietary, breathable Stitchlite™ knit and it still offers plenty of cushioning underfoot thanks to the GRANDFØAM engineered for weight reduction. This particular multi-pronged outsole design offers a grip and natural flexibility—something wearers have seen in Cole Haan footwear for years”. —S.P.
More to consider:
According to Cole Haan's senior product line manager, Chris Bates, prior to the launch of this collection, it wouldn’t be unusual to see a Cole Haan staffer wearing the brand’s non-golf shoes at the golf course. Bates credits these rounds to helping find the perfect balance of heritage, style and performance in this latest collection.
“Our team was driven to create golf shoes because we love golf,” Bates said. “We were tired of playing in other brands when we know we had the product knowledge, design talent, and golf DNA to bring Cole Haan to the course.”