50 Words or Less
The TRUE Linkswear OG Cush golf shoe gets back to the company’s zero heel drop roots. Out of the box comfort. More structure than previous OG shoes. Surprisingly good traction.
Introduction
In their fifteen years of existence, TRUE Linkswear has undergone massive growth and immense evolution. But in spite of all the change, they’ve never forgotten their roots. The shoe that started it all was a natural motion, zero heel drop, ultra-wide toe box creation that broke every mold for golf shoes. TRUE has always had such a shoe in their lineup, but they’ve always aimed to make it better. The latest Original is the TRUE Linkswear OG Cush golf shoe, a zero drop shoe built for comfort.
Looks
TRUE has mastered the art of designing a golf shoe that doesn’t scream “GOLF!” While this isn’t TRUE’s most go-anywhere shoe – that’s probably the FS-01 [review HERE] – I’ve worn the TRUE Linkswear OG Cush to the course, to the bar, on errands, and more.
That isn’t to say that the OG Cush lacks visual interest. The mix of materials draws your eye around the shoe. There’s a subtle color change at the bottom of the laces which is a really elevated touch. TRUE also uses the contrast colors to great effect, giving a pop to the heel loop, sole, or stitching, depending on the colorway.
While no one would confuse the new TRUE Linkswear OG Cush with TRUE’s first shoes, the small callbacks are catnip for the faithful like me. The black and red colorway and the placement of the red “T” logo on the outside of the forefoot bring me back to the first time I put on a TRUE.
The TRUE OG Cush is available in five colorways: black (shown here), grey, white, Patriot, and PNW Grey Day.
Comfort
One thing you know you’re going to get with TRUE is out of the box comfort. There is zero break in period for the TRUE Linkswear OG Cush. You won’t find a single hard surface or pressure point inside this shoe.
The fit of the OG Cush is true to size, and the toe box is “extra wide.” According to TRUE, it fits up to a EEE. My foot is average in width, and I felt there was a little extra room, but I wasn’t swimming in the shoe. Also, TRUE did a great job with the padding around the heel. Its not obtrusive or over the top, but there’s enough cushion that you could wear these sockless and be very comfortable.
What gives the TRUE Linkswear OG Cush its name is the Wanderlux Cushioned midsole. There is a 6mm layer of foam cushioning underfoot that provides a little separation from the ground. Like the heel padding, it’s not overdone, but it’s a notable difference from previous TRUEs. This makes the walk more comfortable without sacrificing the zero drop, barefoot feel.
Performance
The TRUE Linkswear OG Cush gets back to TRUE’s original zero drop roots. While they’ve always stayed low to the ground, more of their recent designs have some heel drop – typically 6 mm. The OG Cush puts your foot firmly, evenly on the turf, which, for me, is the way it ought to be. I feel more balanced in the OG Cush, even compared to other TRUEs. They give me a connection to the turf I can’t find when my heel is elevated. In addition to being zero drop, the sole of the OG Cush is very flexible, allowing for truly natural motion.
In addition, the TRUE Linkswear OG Cush is extremely light. It’s 2 ounces lighter than Original 1.2 [review HERE], and only 0.4 ounces heavier than Knit III [review HERE]. For the walking golfers, those extra ounces add up over the course of 18 holes. With the OG Cush, you’ll feel more energetic throughout the round, never like you’re dragging your feet.
One thing that surprised me about the OG Cush is that it feels more structured than previous TRUE Original designs. This is not a “structured” shoe along the lines of a FootJoy, but it’s also quite far from the aforementioned Knit. I felt a lot of lateral support for my swing, keeping my foot tightly connected to the shoe and the ground.
The one thing that had me a little worried about the TRUE Linkswear OG Cush was the sole. The dancing Ts of the “OG grip tread” are a vibe, but they don’t look like they’re going to dig into the turf the way TRUE’s normal sole does. However, I should have known better than to second guess TRUE: the traction is solid. Playing in decent conditions, I had no issues whatsoever. These shoes are not waterproof, so traction in the wet is a non-issue. For a waterproof TRUE, I play in the Lux G [review HERE].
Conclusion
While the name might imply otherwise, the TRUE Linkswear OG Cush has something for newcomers as well as longtime fans. Original fans will love the zero drop, but the additional cushioning and lateral support will make this a more comfortable transition for those new to natural motion. For me, these are instant gamers, the shoes you’re most likely to see me in on the course for the rest of this season.
Buy the TRUE Linkswear OG Cush HERE
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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5 Comments
Great review Matt, I’ve been a fan of TRUE since you introduced us to the True Major years ago. These do not disappoint, one round of wearing the black was all it took for me to order the PNW Grey the second I got home. Honestly, I wasn’t loving the look when I first saw them, but once I had them in hand/on foot, they vaulted to the top of my favorites list. Thanks again!
I love True Linkswear but I wish they’d recognize that people who have wide feet aren’t necessarily just looking for extra room in the toe box. If they offered wide sizes that accommodate a wide midfoot, I’d be ready to buy several pairs. Unfortunately this is the latest in a long line of their more recent releases that doesn’t work for me.
I have been using the OG line for a long time. I have 8 OG on my golf shoes rack. The Cush is definitely most stable shoes in OG family. I own 3 of OG Feel, the best of the bunch. I am looking forward to the future from True Linkswear.
Does anyone else have problems with the hybrid Trues, being tight in the balls of ones feet. Start out fine the later in the round they feel tight and have to take them off to get circulation back in ?
Cheers
Had a pair of True’s some years back. Loved the fit and comfort. Unfortunately, after decades of golf in a traditional shoe where the heel is raised I could not adjust to my foot being closer to the ground. Loved the shoe but just couldn’t hit the ball in them.