For much of the past six or seven years, it felt like Nike Golf had completely lost its identity. The spark was gone, and like many golfers, I found myself checking out. I was no longer interested in what they were releasing.
That’s why what’s happening right now feels both surprising and exciting. Nike Golf looks like it’s making a comeback, and I’m all in on it.
The shoes that reunited my interest? The Nike Air Zoom Infinity Next% 2.
Honestly, these shoes shocked me. I really didn’t expect this. And I think that, after years of missed opportunities, this signals that Nike has rediscovered its groove.
I know big-brand shoes aren’t for everyone. But there’s no denying that the might of a brand like Nike is capable of producing some very good products. And I just found one.
Let me tell you what I’ve liked and what has me excited.
Growing Up Nike
If you’re from Eugene, Oregon — like I am, and like Nike is — you don’t really have a choice. Nike is in your blood.
I grew up going to the Prefontaine Classic every summer. I ran the Eugene Marathon, which finished on the famed track at Hayward Field. I went to every Oregon Ducks football game for a couple of decades (despite going to Oregon State myself).
So yeah, I was a Nike kid from the very beginning. Tennis gear, school clothes, everything.
When I started Breaking Eighty back in 2012, that love carried right over into golf. My bag at that time? Nike.
My clubs? Nike.
The clothes on my back? All Nike.
I thought their stuff was great.
But slowly, things started to change. They pulled out of the equipment business. The magic disappeared. And before long, Nike just didn’t feel invested in golf anymore. Their products stopped being interesting or inspiring, and honestly, I stopped paying attention.
Meanwhile, as Breaking Eighty grew, I got the chance to try gear from other brands — companies that were all in on golf. And compared to them, Nike just looked like they were walking away.
It’s been nearly five years since I reviewed a Nike product, which feels crazy considering this is my hometown brand.
But now, it looks like things are shifting again. Nike Golf seems to have found some new energy, and for the first time in a long while, I’m excited to see where it’s headed.
Rediscovering Nike in the Store
A few times a year, I’ll pop into a Nike store just to see what’s new. It used to be automatic: I’d find a bunch of stuff I liked and leave a few hundred dollars lighter.
But the last five years, it’s been a total swing-and-miss. I’ve almost never found anything that got me excited, and most trips ended with me walking out empty-handed.
A couple of weeks ago, that finally changed. I walked in and, for the first time in years, felt genuinely impressed. I bought two pairs of shoes and two pieces of apparel. And if I hadn’t been wrangling my four-year-old, I probably would’ve grabbed more.
It wasn’t just Nike Golf, either. Across the board, their other products felt fresh again too. But this is Breaking Eighty, so we’ll keep it to golf for now.
Why the Infinity Tour Next% 2 Works
On that visit, I found the Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour Next% 2, and these shoes definitely caught my attention. I think they’re the best-looking Nike golf shoes I’ve seen in years.
The white, gray, and purple colorway on the pair I have looks fantastic. The Air Zoom airbags on the forefoot look great, and the Flyweave upper keeps them light and waterproof.
After a couple of rounds in them, they performed.
Compared to a lot of heavier tour shoes like the Adidas Tour360s and the new TRUE Mavens I’ve reviewed, these feel significantly lighter on the foot.
It’s a good reminder that Nike can still produce some special results. In fact, in a lot of ways, only a company of this size and magnitude can do what they can do.
So getting the benefits of that might and muscle in a shoe where the engineering really feels like they got it right in a golf-specific way is awesome.
Over the past few years, I’ve been bouncing around with my golf shoes. I’ve worn a lot of G/FORE, like the G.112s and the G/18s. I’ve put quite a few rounds on the Payntr X 005s, which lean more into that clean, classic design. And for casual days, I’ve often reached for my TRUEs.
All of those have their strengths, but most of them are a bit of an acquired taste. Some are more fashion-forward. Some are super traditional. Not every pair is going to work for every golfer.
That’s where the Infinity Tour Next% 2 feels different. These look and feel like true tour-level golf shoes while still carrying that broad Nike appeal. Everyone knows the look of a Nike shoe, whether it’s golf or tennis, and this model nails that familiar style in a way that also feels fresh.
That balance is tricky to pull off, especially for a brand that seemed to lose its way for so many years.
This is the rare golf shoe that feels locked-in tour stable and yet completely comfortable. I don't know how they pulled it off, but it's leading me to believe that Nike Golf may be "back"!
On-Course Performance
The first thing to know is fit. I wear a size 12, and with Nike, that can sometimes mean narrow or tight. Not here. These fit spot-on, with no pinching and no heel slip, which is something I know has been mentioned by others.
Next up is comfort. With a shoe designed at the tour level, I braced myself for stiffness and a break-in period. Instead, I walked 18 holes right out of the box without a problem. No sore feet. No hotspots. Just comfortable from the first round.
In contrast, the same size of the Victory Pro 4 does feel a bit tighter, and those take a couple more rounds to break in.
Nike made an interesting design choice with their spikes in these shoes. They’re proprietary and non-removable, which might be a pro or con depending on how you see it.
On grass, they work beautifully. The traction is excellent, and I felt stable and grounded through every swing.
On concrete — like heading across a parking lot — you notice them more. The spikes are a little wider and sit higher than typical soft spikes, so you feel them underfoot in a way you don’t with some other shoes. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely something I picked up on.
Most of my golf lately has been in spikeless shoes, and every time I switch back, the difference in grip jumps out. The Infinity Tour Next% 2 was no exception. The traction boost was obvious, and I felt completely planted throughout my rounds in them.
I haven’t had the chance to test them in rain or on wet turf yet, but on a dry course, the stability and grip were everything I could ask for.
Who the Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour Next% 2 Are (and Aren’t) For
Are these shoes going to be for everyone? Definitely not.
There are plenty of golfers who steer clear of the big names — people who are anti-Nike, anti-Adidas, or just anti-big box brands in general. If you’re in that camp and want something more boutique or niche, these aren’t going to win you over.
But if you want a spiked golf shoe that looks sharp, feels comfortable, is lightweight, and packs in plenty of proprietary tech, the Air Zoom Infinity Tour Next% 2 is a clear winner. I don’t think there are many better options in the spiked category right now.
That doesn’t mean I’ve lost love for the other golf shoes in my lineup. I’ll definitely keep my G/FORE, Payntr, and TRUE shoes rotating through my rounds.
But the surprise for me here is how much I’ve enjoyed coming back to Nike. It’s been years since I’ve seriously worn their shoes, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by what they’ve put out with this model.
Even more than the shoe itself, what excites me is what it signals. Nike has the resources, the design talent, and the storytelling clout to make a real push in golf again.
And judging by what I’m seeing here, I think we’re on the front edge of some really cool things from them in the months and years ahead.
One Other Personal Favorite Nike Discovery: 24.7
One other recent find in my rediscovery of Nike has been their new 24.7 line. It’s quickly become a favorite. The pants, joggers, shorts, and especially the crew neck are really comfortable.
The sweatshirt, in particular, might be one of the softest I’ve owned. It runs a little baggier than what I usually go for, but that’s kind of the style right now, and honestly, it works. The more I wear it, the more I like it.
If you’re looking for gear that’s perfect for travel, lounging around, or just everyday comfort, I’d check out the 24.7 lineup.
Impossibly soft is exactly right. I don't know that I've ever worn a softer sweatshirt. There's a lot of great lounging gear in Nike's new 24.7 line - polos, pants, cardigans, T-shirts, and more.
Final Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour Next% 2 Thoughts
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this excited about Nike Golf. And while I’m definitely not saying the Infinity Tour Next% 2 shoes are perfect for everyone, I do think they show all of us that Nike is taking golf seriously again.
For me, part of the fun has been the surprise. After years of writing off Nike Golf, I didn’t expect to be this impressed. But the fit, comfort, traction, and overall design of these shoes show that Nike still knows how to deliver when it leans into its strengths.
I’ll keep wearing the other golf shoes that I’ve loved. But Nike has earned a spot back in my rotation. And I really didn’t see that coming.
This is the rare golf shoe that feels locked-in tour stable and yet completely comfortable. I don't know how they pulled it off, but it's leading me to believe that Nike Golf may be "back"!
Are the Air Zoom Infinity Tour Next% 2 the shoes that start the Nike Golf comeback?
If you want a spiked golf shoe that looks sharp, fits comfortably right out of the box, and shows off the best of design and materials innovation, this is one of the strongest options on the market right now.
The Good
- Surprisingly comfortable with no break-in period
- Lightweight feel compared to most tour shoes
- Excellent traction and stability
- Sharp, modern look with mass appeal
The Bad
- Proprietary non-removable spikes noticeable on concrete
- Big-brand styling won't appeal to everyone
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Presentation
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Performance
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Quality and Features
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Price
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Personal Affinity
