Golf Shoe Outsole Traction Layout to Minimize Turf Trenching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional golf shoes with traction members, spikes, or cleats cause significant turf-trenching damage to golf course surfaces, compromising the integrity and appearance of the greens and other areas, while maintaining adequate traction is essential for stability and balance during play.

Innovation Solution

The golf shoe features an outsole with distinct zones of traction members arranged in a non-channeled pattern, utilizing spiral pathways that intersect to form tile pieces with projecting traction members, providing high traction and minimal turf-trenching properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If conventional spikes or cleats are used on golf shoes, then traction is improved, but turf-trenching damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetractionVSAvoidturf-trenching damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outsole is divided into multiple discrete zones with different traction member configurations. Each zone contains specifically positioned traction members that distribute the gripping force across multiple contact points rather than concentrating it in single deep-penetration spikes, thereby reducing turf-trenching while maintaining overall traction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the outsole are equipped with traction members having different properties and arrangements. The forefoot, midfoot, and heel zones each have tailored traction member configurations optimized for their specific functional requirements, allowing high traction where needed while minimizing damage in other areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If traction members are arranged in a channeled pattern, then manufacturing is simplified, but turf-trenching damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutsole manufacturingVSAvoidturf-trenching damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The traction members are arranged in curved or spiral pathways rather than straight channeled rows. This curved arrangement distributes the traction force more evenly across the turf surface, preventing the concentrated linear damage caused by channeled patterns while still providing systematic manufacturing guidance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Force

If more traction members are added to the outsole, then traction is improved, but damage to greens increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetractionVSAvoiddamage to greens

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a strategically limited number of traction members positioned at optimal locations rather than covering the entire outsole surface. This partial action provides sufficient traction for golf performance while minimizing the total contact points that could cause green damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12543819B2Golf shoe outsole

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 ACUSHNET CO

AI summary

Golf shoes having improved outsole constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The outsole includes a first set of arc pathways extending along the outsole in one direction. A second set of arc pathways extend along the outsole in a second direction. When the first and second arc pathways are superposed over each other, four-sided tile pieces are formed, and these tiles contain protruding traction members. In one embodiment, the tiles comprise a first protruding traction member, an opposing second protruding traction member, and a non-protruding segment disposed between the first and second traction members. Different traction zones containing different traction members are provided on the outsole. These zones provide improved multi-surface traction. In one embodiment of the outsole, there is no channeling and no trenching of the golf course turf. There is less damage to the golf course for a given amount of traction. In another embodiment, a heel step region without traction members may be provided on the outsole. Additionally, spike receptacles may be provided on the outsole in addition to the traction members.