A sole structure can include an outsole with flexure zones that allow relative movement between regions of the outsole bottom surface that are separated or defined by the flexure zones. Such relative movement, together with selected traction elements or combinations of traction elements within the regions, act to provide the needed traction and stability for a number of motions that normally accompany a given activity such as golf

A sole structure can include an outsole with flexure zones that allow relative movement between regions of the outsole bottom surface that are separated or defined by the flexure zones. Such relative movement, together with selected traction elements or combinations of traction elements within the regions, act to provide the needed traction and stability for a number of motions that normally accompany a given activity such as golf.

The present disclosure is directed to an article of footwear including an upper configured to receive a foot and a sole component fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper. The sole component may include a baseplate having a bottom surface and at least a first ground engaging member extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate. The sole component may also include a plurality of elongate support members extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate, abutting the first ground engaging member at a side portion, and extending horizontally from the side portion of the first ground engaging member; wherein three or more support members of the plurality of support members are unevenly spaced about the ground engaging member. The spaces between the three or more unevenly spaced support members may be devoid of additional support members, and the three or more support members may be independent of other ground engaging members extending from the baseplate.

Footwear uppers include: (a) a first upper member (formed from one or more component parts) including: one or more lace-engaging openings formed as elongated through hole openings with a length dimension extending in a top-to-bottom direction of the upper and a width dimension extending in a heel-to-toe direction of the upper, and wherein the length dimension is at least two times larger than the width dimension; (b) one or more midfoot supporting gussets located inside the first upper member, the midfoot supporting gusset(s) including one or more lace-engaging through holes (configured to pair up with the corresponding one or more lace-engaging openings of the first upper member); and (c) a lace extending through the lace-engaging opening(s) and the lace-engaging through hole(s). When the lace is tightened, the lace-engaging through hole(s) will at least partially align with a portion of its corresponding lace-engaging opening.

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.