The Nike FREE Prototype golf shoe will be worn by Tiger Woods in his return to the game at this week’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Developed in 2004 Nike FREE is a ‘natural motion’ technology that is designed to mimic and conform to the natural motion of the foot, coupled with the protection and traction of a lightweight performance shoe. The FREE-inspired elements in the Nike FREE Prototype golf shoe allow greater movement of the front of the foot, increasing stability with mobility.

“I love the feel of NIKE FREE for training, so I asked Nike if it was possible to bring that technology to the golf course. It’s exciting to see a conversation like that come to life and I look forward to wearing them this week,” added Tiger.

The FREE-inspired outsole is directly taken from NIKE Sportswear’s Special Field Boot designed for first-responders. The majority of the upper consists of a polyurethane coated stretch fabric, also seen within the construction of NIKE Basketball’s Hyperfuse 2011. Part of the heel is created from recycled NIKE Air Max units melted into thread and then woven together to create a strong, breathable textile material. The Nike FREE Prototype golf shoe also has a half heel counter in both shoes to give more stability on the lateral side, particularly in follow through. The shoe also incorporates NIKE Flywire (first introduced in Beijing in 2008) attached to each lace loop, which when pulled tight envelope the foot for maximum comfort and stability.