Playing golf is all about having patience and a good strategy to execute a successful golf swing, however with a pair of shoes that have lost their traction, and are uncomfortable, you are yourself planning a frustrating day. From maximizing the chances of tripping and getting injured to losing your game after the best hardest practices, this is what a bad shoe on the course can do.

On the contrary,

Imagine approaching the tee box with the confidence of a legend, knowing that your golf shoes are equipped to handle every twist and turn of the course. From the initial drive to the final putt, your shoes become a reliable companion, providing the foundation for a powerful swing, a comfortable stride, and unwavering stability.

Yes! Golf shoes make the difference.

Worry not, I have come to your rescue as an experienced golfer who had very long and good times on the greens and explored every crucial point that can boost your game.

I suggest you pay close attention to the cushioning and arch support of your shoes and invest a little extra in high-tech pairs to get yourself the most comfortable on the greens.

With that said, if you wanna good as Jack Nicklaus, you shouldn’t skip the good shoes, because they are the Swiss army knife of performance on the course.

And 💯 obvious, this ultimate Golf shoes buying guide will gonna help you make the smartest decision.

Quick: How to choose golf shoes

Are you a golfer who wishes for comfort, support, and stability while executing a swing, yet shop your golf shoe without prior homework?

Golf shoes are specially designed to meet the needs of the golfer on the greens to help them walk on the course with a good grip.

Before getting your hands on the golf shoe, a golfer must consider the comfort features of the golf shoes, including but not limited to cushioning, arch support, and the breathability of the shoe. You also need to consider the environment in which you play.

Soft spiked shoes are considered best to play in the wet climate and to enjoy good traction; whereas, the spikeless are all-time favorite and casual wear that you can have.

P.S: Golf shoes are affordable, so there’s no need to skimp on the cheap ones. Opting for low-quality options might seem like a cost-saving measure, but in reality, you’ll just be throwing your money away for mere pennies.

Understanding the Why?

Before stepping into what you should consider before buying a perfect golf shoe according to your requirements, you just need to know how buying a high quality golf shoe can elevate your game and offer you an enhanced experience. 

Here is a list of benefits you are going to enjoy by investing in your golf shoe: 

Upgraded style

Have you ever taken a look at your fellow golfer and been impressed by their appearance? What you wear to the golf course can make or break your day, leaving an impression on the other players and giving you an advantage.

You can style your look, by switching your golf shoes for casual and business wear. If you are on a business-related golf outing, I suggest you try out saddle-style golf shoes, to give you a traditional look. For a casual look, spikeless golf shoes are a better option, offering versatility (check out these 7 best causal waterproof shoes). 

Pro tip: If you are short on budget, I share my secret of investing in hybrid golf shoes, designed to bridge the gap between casual and traditional looks. 

Better Traction & Stability

As a passionate golfer, you must have had the idea that every stroke matters in the game of golf, and here is when your golf shoe comes to the rescue. Investing in a golf shoe that offers traction and stability to hold your feet to the ground, when you are putting all your energy and concentration into giving a successful shot, will boost your confidence and elevate your game to the next level. 

The golfer must maintain his foot grip on the ground. From all the shoes I tested, I always preferred wearing golf shoes with spikes or cleats. The spikes better grip the ground, and you are free to hit a shot without a thought of slipping and with your body weight evenly distributed across the sole.

Comfort and endurance

Playing golf in worn-out or normal footwear is a high risk and you are exposing yourself to potential foot and ankle injuries. As a golfer, our ankles are under strain due to the rotational forces involved in the swing. Here again, investing in a golf shoe is the best option. 

Golf shoes are specifically designed to offer arch support and you can also customize them to support your natural arch during the game. More to it, for the ease of the golfers, golf shoes are provided with reinforced heel counters and ankle padding to offer ankle stability during aggressive swing.

Adapting the course condition

For a golfer who cares about each stroke, it is important to wear the right shoes to the golf course that align with the course condition. I once had to wear my spikeless shoe to the hilly terrains and I had a bad time dealing with loose footing.

Before stepping into the shop to buy your shoe, first consider the course condition you play in. If you are the one who plays on the hilly trains, opt for spike shoes for better grip on the greens while spikeless offer adequate traction on flat and dry courses.

The exclusive Golf Shoes Buying Guide (detailed)

After knowing why making an informed decision is important before buying golf shoes; you now must be questioning: what type of golf shoes should I buy?

Let’s begin…

Set your budget

Before stepping into the market, make sure you have a rough figure in mind that you are willing to invest in your game. Do you have a budget to invest in expensive brands like Puma or Skechers, that offer premium material or highly excellent craftsmanship, or you are looking for a midrange option to not burden your pocket?

If you are thinking of investing in high-end brands like Nike and Adidas, have more than $200 in your pocket, while the mid range brands will cost you anywhere between $100 – $200. 

Determine your fit 

Next comes knowing your right fit size as even a half size can impact your comfort level on the greens and disturb your game. Your regular shoe and the golf shoe are never the same number!

For your comfort and to avoid any bad happenings, start by measuring your foot size. Remember to refer to the sizing chart provided by the brand’s manufacturer and try them out before buying to make an informed decision. 

Pro tip: I always prefer trying my golf shoes with socks on, to make sure there is enough toe room that my fingernails do not press with the front of the shoe. Your golf sock cushioning may require adjusting your shoe size slightly.

Choose the right material

As a golfer who is concerned about his game, you need to pay attention to the material your shoes are made of. The material used in manufacturing your shoes should be strong enough to withstand the rigors at the greens when you are executing the stroke or walking long distances. Investing in a shoe with a good quality material is a one-time investment, lasting for a good duration. 

Leather, Waterproof lining, and synthetic are the top materials in the market.

Leather: If you have a good budget and you are looking for something that lasts long, leather is good to go. During the long rounds, leather provides maximum comfort to your feet and keeps them dry and breathable. 

Your leather shoes might not be entirely waterproof, so consider your course climate when you shop. 

Waterproof lining: If your course environment is wet, waterproof lining shoes should be considered. They keep your feet warm and dry, even during the long hours on the greens. 

Synthetic material: Synthetic material shoes are best to consider when you have a tight budget but need a balance between quality and investment. They are lightweight (yet have a good grip on the ground) compared to the two mentioned above, which means you can freely roam on the course. 

P.S: If you have a budget, you can go for moisture-wicking properties provided by different brands in synthetic shoes, making them your companion on humid days.

Spikes or spikeless?

The point where most golfers get confused while buying golf shoes is whether to go for spikes or spikeless shoes will do the work. Here is how to make an informed decision. 

If you are a golfer who plays on hilly terrains or rough surfaces, you will need a good grip on the ground while executing the shot. Also, playing on hilly surfaces comes with a demerit that your ankle has to bear extra strain other than the rotational forces. Spikes are the game changer when it comes to grip and stability. Investing in it will help you maintain the grip and reduce the risk of slipping during the swing. 

Spikeless is good to go if you are up for a lightweight shoe. They may not offer the same grip as that of spikes, but they still offer good traction and you can wear them to the course. 

Climate consideration

Playing golf on a hot day and feet getting sweaty due to heat buildup – this is what a golfer can never withstand. 

While buying golf shoes, consider the climatic conditions you play in. Always prefer breathable golf shoes that are provided with mesh panels to ensure circulation of air and avoid heat buildup. If you do not play on hilly terrains, spikeless are the better option in hot weather because of their lightweight, versatile construction and breathable designs.

If you consider all my above shared suggestions, before buying your new golf shoe, I speak from my experience that you will have an improved performance and a comfortable time on the course. 

What makes a golf shoe different?

Golf shoes are very different from your regular athletic shoes and here is how.

Golf shoes are specially designed to provide grip and stability on the course, helping to maintain a solid stance on the ground during the swing. Unlike your regular shoes, golf shoes are equipped with spikes and unique tread patterns and are provided with features like reinforced midsoles, padded collars, and moisture-licking linings to offer maximum comfort during long rounds on the greens. 

Shoe store Vs. online stores

Confused about shopping from the shoe store or prefer online shopping?

Shopping from a physical shoe store comes with an advantage in that you can on the spot try multiple shoes and pick the right one that fits your needs. You can also ask the store to customize the shoe for you be it the size, paddings, or any other specific requirements you have. 

When it comes to online shopping, you should be accurate about your foot size and need to do special research, including reading reviews on the product because before placing the order as here you would not have an option to try and check. 

Is expensive always better?

Quality indeed comes with price but this is not always the case.

With golf shoes, the prices go higher with the brand’s market value, and the special incorporated features like padded cushions, waterproof lining, and all, add to the cost. 

What matters is that you invest one time, but in a shoe that offers durability, strength, and maximum comfort on the course and that prevents you from fatigue and risk of injuries during the long rounds. 

Some cost-effective options I personally tried

I had this in my mind to share a few cost-effective golf shoes that I had been wearing to the course for a long time and can vouch for.

Callaway Men’s Coronado

The fact that my feet were thanking me when I got my hands on Callaway’s golf shoes is the reason why I have always been vouching for it. This had been my game-keeper when playing games in the morning dew with its waterproof microfiber leather up. I must say out of all the shoe, it was the most light-weight and I had them for a good time. Its 9 Spike Fusion-Lite outsole feature got my heart for providing the perfect grip on the ground on the steep fairways.

The only bad thing that happened with this was that I forgot to share my foot size with my golf socks on. So, yes! I had to wear it always without socks. Do not repeat the mistake! 

FootJoy Men’s Golf Shoe

This shoe was the one that I got for myself at the amateur level on a friend’s recommendation, so lots of memories attached to it. I used to wear it on my long hours of practice on a hot summer day, but it never caused me skin irritation. It must had a high-quality breathable mesh to save my day. As a beginner, I liked its traction which was up to the mark and always prevented me from potential injuries.

Luxe Hybrid Golf Shoes

This was another quality golf shoe that I got my hands on, I mean, my senior golfer gifted me. There was not even a single feature I felt a fault in. From the waterproof manufacturing to fit to be worn in both hot and cold climates and the perfect arch support it provided, this has been my favorite. The most unique thing was that the shoes were provided with removable footbeds meant they could easily accommodate most orthotics and wide feet. I got the best gift ever!

Summing it up

As a golfer, I always emphasize making an informed decision, be it for buying golf balls, a golf cart, a bag, or your daily footwear. Your shoes can make or break your day on the greens, and to make the game always on your side, it is important that your feet support you during the long rounds.

Next time when out to buy golf shoes and are confused about how to choose golf shoes, remember this golf shoe buying guide and get the best for your feet!