Donning the best golf shoes is often an ingredient less experienced players overlook when heading out on the course. That’s an important misstep as today’s golf shoe designers and manufacturers consider so many of the game’s detailed needs that the resulting footwear can do more than just make a game more comfortable.
From better turf grip to improved orthopedic support where the golf swing demands, the best golf shoes help a player improve his or her game from the ground up no matter the conditions. Comfort is important, especially if walking 18 holes on a championship course because that can add up to a 10-mile hike when playing from the tips—and today’s shoemakers manage to pack comfort into every high-tech, researched golf shoe.
Whether you prefer a golf shoe with spikes or without, we rounded up the best golf shoes on the … [+]
A spikeless shoe is a great option for those who prefer to spend the majority of their time at the driving range, or players who’d rather wear one pair of shoes to and from the course without changing kicks. A shoe with spikes, on the other hand, is a much better choice for serious golfers playing serious courses—it provides a high amount of traction and keeps you grounded through the swing, or while traversing hills. Those spikes do demand you remove the shoe for another pair Mr. Rogers style before heading home.
Meanwhile, the major golf brands make sure their shoes look great on your feet with classic styles and modern sneaker options that deliver sharp looks and smart performance. Below, we’ve rounded up the best golf shoes that fit various functions, styles and budgets.
Best Golf Shoe Overall
A Top Choice For The Driving Range And The Golf Course
Best Golf Shoe For Off The Course
Easy On The Eyes, On Or Off The Turf
Most Fashionable Golf Shoe
A Long-Standing Shoe Fashion Leader Gets In The Game
Best Golf Shoe For Walkers
Adidas Takes Notes From Its Basketball Shoes
Best Casual Golf Shoe
Not Every Golf Shoe Needs To Look Like A Sneaker From Outer Space
Best Lightweight Golf Shoe
A Veteran Golf Shoe Company Lightens Up For Long Rounds
Best Value Golf Shoe
High-Tech And Quality Construction For Less Than $100
Best Golf Shoe Newcomer
A Newer Name In The Game Makes A Serious Golf Shoe
How We Chose Our Winners
There’s no better way to test golf shoes than to wear them while playing the game or practicing with them at the range. We wore and played in every pair of shoes on this list through whatever weather conditions came our way. For the spikeless shoes on the list, we also wore them off the course to see how they felt and looked heading home or out in public.
Should You Wear Athletic Or Formal Styled Golf Shoes?
There are golf shoes that offer an athletic style and others that offer a dressier style, and functional differences exist between those designs.
According to Masun Denison, Global Footwear Director for Adidas Golf, the design, shape and materials used in a golf shoe all have an effect on the fit, feel and function of a shoe. “More sporty or athletic shoes often use lighter materials, are more flexible and feel more similar to a running or training shoe you would wear away from the golf course,” Denison says. “Dressier or more classic styles use more natural leathers, are typically a bit heavier, and are often meant to be worn on the golf course only.”
Jesper Thuen, General Manager of ECCO Golf USA, agrees, insisting the athletic types of shoes are lighter, softer and in general more comfortable to wear. “The dressier styles are, in most cases, a little heavier, rigid and have great stability features,” Thuen notes.
Should Your Golf Shoe Choice Depend On Your Skill Level?
There is no “one size fits all” approach to golf shoes, hence the seemingly endless style and structure choices. More than skill level, the factors that have the biggest impact are foot construction, swing speed and common weather conditions.
“For instance, a low handicap golfer often playing in wet conditions that swings hard would most likely perform the best in a performance shoe with high traction levels,” Denison explains. “A casual golfer playing in southern California, who walks every round and never plays when it is wet, would most likely benefit from a spikeless shoe. At the end of the day, it’s important to try shoes on to ensure they fit, are comfortable and meet your needs.”
Thuen, meanwhile, believes the process of choosing a golf shoe is very much up to personal preference. “For the majority of golfers, comfort is the highest priority,” he says. “Some golfers are willing to compromise comfort for added stability in their shoes—which will sacrifice some of the comfort features. Most important for all levels of golfers, though, is that they get well-fitted shoes. You never want any feet discomfort when you are in the links for 4-5 hours.”
Should A Golfer Choose Function Over Fashion?
While many players want to look good on the course (especially a more elite course), golfers should look at golf shoes like they would their clubs.
Denison is quick to note that the golf swing starts from the ground up, so golfers who are on their feet a lot walking miles during a round need shoes that save their feet from a beating. “Nobody is going to be playing their best golf in shoes that are too tight, causing blisters or that are generally uncomfortable,” he says. “Good fitting, good performing golf shoes help you stay stable during your swing and comfortable throughout your round.”
Thuen agrees that on-course performance is more important than fashion. “On-course performance remains the top priority,” he says. “We see an increasing trend in golf fashion which has been much more modern and lifestyle oriented in the last couple of years. If you can combine performance with great styling, you have a winner.”
.