Golf shoe outsole

Abstract

The present invention is further directed towards a golf shoe having an outsole comprising of forward and rear base sections that are connected and molded together with an arch support shank. The base sections are relatively soft and made from thermoplastic polyurethane having a maximum Shore A hardness of between 75 to 85. The shank is also made of thermoplastic polyurethane having a minimum hardness of at least 95 Shore A hardness. Each base section has a plurality of openings, wherein a corresponding plurality of relatively hard pods are molded, each pod of a size and configuration to fit within a corresponding opening and extend at least 6.3 mm from the bottom surfaces of the base sections. The shoe provides flexibility both across the metatarsal area and longitudinally at approximately the metatarsal area thereby providing the golfer with improved traction and balance, especially when the golfer executes a golf shot.

1 . An outsole comprising:
 a flexible and relatively soft forward base section molded to a rear base section by a shank section;   a plurality of relatively hard stability pods molded to the forward base section, each pod having means to releasably attach a cleat thereupon;   each pod having a multitude of relatively hard projections protruding from the bottom surface of each respective pod;   a flex area across the metatarsal region of the outsole and a corresponding flex area longitudinally from the toe of the outsole to the shank section;   wherein, the shoe will provide a greater degree of flexibility and traction with the turf, and therefore greater stability and balance for the user.   
   
   
       2 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the pods are made from relatively hard thermoplastic polyurethane having a minimum Shore A hardness of 95. 
   
   
       3 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the pods extend at least 6.3 mm from a bottom surface of the base sections. 
   
   
       4 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the forward and rear base sections are made from relatively thin flexible thermoplastic polyurethane having a hardness between 75 to 85 Shore A. 
   
   
       5 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the forward and rear base sections are made from relatively thin flexible thermoplastic polyurethane having a Shore A hardness no greater than 75. 
   
   
       6 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein there are five pods molded to the forward base section and two pods molded to the rear base section. 
   
   
       7 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein there are six pods molded to the forward base section and two pods molded to the rear base section. 
   
   
       8 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein there are six pods molded to the forward base section and three pods molded to the rear base section. 
   
   
       9 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein there are seven pods molded to the forward base section and two pods molded to the rear base section. 
   
   
       10 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein there are seven pods molded to the forward base section and three pods molded to the rear base section. 
   
   
       11 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein there are seven pods molded to the forward base section and four pods molded to the rear base section. 
   
   
       12 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the forward and rear base sections are molded together by the arch support shank to form a unitary outsole. 
   
   
       13 . The outsole of  claim 10 , wherein the cleat attaching means comprises a socket containing a cleat receptacle requiring only a 45° clockwise turn to install or a 45° counterclockwise turn to remove.