Under Armour Drive Pro SL Review
Last updated:
-
At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
-
Pros
- Great traction
- Secure fit all around
- Cushioned underfoot
- Sleek design
-
Cons
- A poor finish to the material on the tongue
What we say...
Stability, comfort, and performance – The Under Armour Drive Pro SL is designed to help golfers gain an edge on the course.
Under Armour has slowly become one of the most trusted brands on the market when it comes to making the best golf shoes for every type of golfer.
What makes the Drive Pro SL and the rest of Under Armour’s shoes so popular is the brand’s ability to innovate. They have taken the successes from lines of their running shoes such as HOVR technology and incorporated such tech into the golf shoes to not only better our games but make walking the course much more enjoyable too.
The Drive Pro SL was designed with direct feedback from three-time major winner Jordan Spieth and UA’s other PGA Tour athletes, including Maverick McNealy. They’ve worked closely with these athletes to create performance-enhancing shoes that not only meet their needs but also the needs of golfers at all skill levels.
The Drive Pro SL delivers golfers stability, traction, and performance through the innovative Swing Support System all in a sleek and lightweight design.
The Tech Explained
Developed with world-renowned biomechanist JJ Rivet, the revolutionary 3-layer Swing Support System supports the natural motion of the foot, with biomechanically correct diagonal and lateral support for golfers to unlock the power of their swing.
The Swing Support System is made up of three key advancements to take performance to new levels while being lighter than common tour shoes in the market.
In the midsole, UA has developed the only dual-density midsole in golf. Featuring Under Armour’s HOVR foam and more supportive Charged Cushioning where it’s needed to help guide the foot in the golf swing. By using softer HOVR foam in the medial side, your foot will sink into the shoe when you apply your peak force and help transition your weight more efficiently through the ball.
In the upper, UA’s Swing Support Strap is fully connected to the sole with the S3 Spikes and integrated lacing system, providing optimized 360-degree lock-in from lateral ball to medial instep.
The Drive Pro SL replicates the same innovations in the midsole and the upper but with some notable innovations in its spikeless outsole. With a traction control plate and a hybrid outsole utilizing rubber and TPU, the Drive Pro SL provides ground penetration & torsional rigidity through the use of TPU, with rubber adding flexibility and friction to ensure there’s no compromise in performance by moving from a spiked to spikeless outsole.
Every spikeless traction point has been mapped to different heights and positions throughout the sole to ramp up performance further. By removing uniformity, UA has been able to develop an outsole that truly performs at the same level as spiked tour shoes. The Drive Pro SL also comes in a spiked pair, which offers unbelievable traction all year round.
Drive Pro SL: Benefits
Smarter Traction
Hybrid thermoplastic polyurethane inserts and the rubber outsole provide perfect penetrating traction and underfoot comfort
Dual-Foam Cushioning
Energy-returning Under Armour HOVR foam and supportive Charged Cushioning guide the natural motion of the foot in the golf swing.
Lockdown Lacing
The Swing Support Strap combines with reinforcements in the upper for a biomechanical correct lock-in for your foot.
What Under Armour says:
Jake Haley, Senior Product Line Manager for Golf Footwear, Under Armour
“We’re excited to kick the new year off by releasing industry-leading footwear that helps golfers take their game to the next level. The Drive Pro Series is years in the making, and we’re excited to get golfers’ reactions as they test them out on the course. Utilizing Under Armour’s unique technologies, such as HOVR and the Swing Support System, we were able to create a golf shoe that pushes the boundaries of performance innovation to stand out in the market.”
Jordan Spieth
“Being a golfer isn’t a traditional 9-5 job. You’re on your feet walking the course for such a long time so it’s so important to be equipped with footwear that will help your body achieve its best on the course. I’m ecstatic that Under Armour has developed the Drive Pro, which combines comfort, style, and performance throughout the long days that we endure on the green. I look forward to showing firsthand the impact that Under Armour makes on the course with the release of the Drive Pro.”
Under Armour Drive Pro SL Golf Shoe Review: First Thoughts
Will Shreeve-Peacock – Golf Equipment Writer
When I first took the shoe out of the box, I loved what I saw. The Drive Pro SL is very easy on the eye and I like the design, which is simple but effective. The neutral colorways make them look great and are super easy to pair up with many different outfits. This was great for me as I like to mix up my trousers and tops without worrying if what’s on my feet will match.
With golf shoes the fit is so important, I found the Drive Pro SL fit to size and felt nice and secure. My foot felt snug but certainly not uncomfortable! Once I slipped the shoe on I was in heaven as my foot slowly sank into the HOVR bed of the shoe. As one of the lightest shoes on the market, you can hardly feel the shoe on when walking the course, and it makes for quite the sensation. The last thing you want is to be lugging your feet around the course.
I’m a huge fan of the curved heel on the Drive Pro SL, it makes putting the shoe on much easier and helps protect against rubbing and blisters which I suffer from quite badly. The padded cuff around the heel provides plenty of comfort and gives you the confidence that this shoe will support you round after round.
One of the most important features of a golf shoe many forget about is how it looks from your point of view. From above the Drive Pro SL is sleek and not too overpowering on the eye. The low-profile look makes these the perfect accompaniment to shorts or trousers making them great for golf in all seasons.
The Swing Support Strap really did lock my foot in place. When swinging in the shoe I felt the lacing system and support strap come into their own as they secured my foot under load. This showed in my numbers on the range as I gained roughly 9mph ball speed. You can rely on this shoe to work underload and really get the most out of your swing.
About the Author
Will Shreeve-Peacock – Golf Equipment Writer
Will is an expert in golf shoes, GPS watches, rangefinders, and training aids.
He has a degree in journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and four years’ experience working in golf retail with American Golf where he was trained by a host of the big-name manufacturers.
A six-handicapper, Will has played golf for more than a decade and is a member at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincolnshire.
