CARLSBAD, Calif. -- adidas Golf, a brand of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company, has unveiled a special-edition POWERBAND golf shoe for both United States and European participants in the 2007 Solheim Cup, to be played Sept. 14-16 at Halmstad Golf Club in Halmstad, Sweden.

Representing the United States, TaylorMade-adidas Golf Tour Staff professionals Natalie Gulbis and Paula Creamer will proudly wear America's colors featured in adidas Golf’s innovative POWERBAND shoes: The upper is white; the POWERBAND CHASSIS, which limits midsole compression and stabilizes the perimeter of the swing foundation, is red; and the shoe has additional red, white and blue features. Also, the American flag is emblazoned on the upper.

European players will likewise have the option to wear POWERBAND shoes with their team’s colors: a white upper; a yellow POWERBAND CHASSIS and additional blue, yellow and white features. The European flag is emblazoned on the upper.
Paula Creamer

“These special-edition POWERBANDs are an exciting way for us to celebrate the Solheim Cup Matches and pay tribute to both sides,” said Bob Maggiore, adidas Golf senior director of brand marketing.

The footwear was created specially for participants in this year's Matches and will not be made available to the public. Neither POWERBAND footwear nor TaylorMade-adidas Golf are affiliated with nor endorsed or sponsored by the Solheim Cup or the LPGA.

Introduced earlier this year, the POWERBAND shoe is designed specifically to address the needs of the modern athlete and is engineered for today's power game. POWERBAND shoes incorporate three sophisticated adidas Golf technologies that unite to help the athlete harness untapped power by promoting better balance, stability, and leverage. The three technologies together are known as the "power trio."
POWERBAND Shoes

1) The POWERBAND name is derived from the first element of the power trio – The POWERBAND CHASSIS. The POWERBAND CHASSIS establishes an unprecedented level of perimeter support that inspires a strong sense of self-assurance the instant the golfer settles into address. The POWERBAND CHASSIS limits midsole compression and stabilizes the perimeter of the swing foundation. The ultra stability is accomplished by tying the cleat and the receptacle to the sidewall via the TPU support elements and a TPU perimeter shell. The POWERBAND CHASSIS has been shown by the University of Calgary Biomechanics Research Lab to increase peak pressure at the top of the backswing and increase peak pressure at impact. This increased pressure helps harness the power generated by the swing and deliver it to the ball at impact.

2) adiprene®+ is a highly resilient material that manages energy for improved response in the footbed. This technology's fast reactive response provides immediate feedback to promote improved footwork for better weight transfer and balance. The harder the player pushes it, the harder it pushes back.

3) GRIPZONE – The GRIPZONE is an integrated footbed surface that locks the plantar surface of the foot firmly in place, creating a single, solid unit between the foot and shoe, promoting maximum control during the swing. The POWERBAND's traction system is further enhanced by a proprietary cleat, specially designed by adidas Golf called Dynamic Traxion® AC. The cleats have polished surfaces that diminish clogging and improve grip throughout the round. The DTAC cleats are low profile and a turf friendly shape that eliminate spike marks. The legs of the cleats are flexible, improving grip, comfort, and durability. These cleats will be installed in every golf shoe that adidas produces in 2007 and 2008.

About Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. dba TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company
Taylor Made Golf Company has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly owned subsidiary of the adidas Group. adidas Golf footwear and apparel is the choice of hundreds of professional golfers around the world. Learn more about TaylorMade-adidas Golf and its brands at (800) 888-CLUB or www.tmag.com , www.taylormadegolf.com , www.adidasgolf.com , www.maxfli.com.

About the adidas Group
The adidas Group is one of the global leaders within the sporting goods industry, offering a broad range of products around three core segments adidas, Reebok and TaylorMade-adidas Golf. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the Group has more than 26,000 employees and sales of over €10 billion.

For more information contact:
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Public Relations department
Scott Leightman
Tel: 760.476.5748
eMail: scott.leightman@tmag.com John Steinbach
Tel: 760.918.6330
eMail: john.steinbach@tmag.com