Tossing your muddy FootJoy golf shoes into the washing machine after a wet round seems like the perfect, easy fix. But before you do, you need to know: it's one of the worst things you can do for your footwear. This article will show you exactly why you should never machine wash your golf shoes and provide a step-by-step professional method to get them looking like new without destroying them.
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Why Machine Washing Your FootJoy Shoes Is a Bad Idea
As a golf coach, I emphasize an efficient swing that avoids unnecessary and damaging movements. The same philosophy applies to equipment care. Machine washing is an aggressive, damaging process for a high-performance piece of equipment like a FootJoy golf shoe.
Here’s the breakdown of what actually happens inside that machine:
Adhesive Annihilation: Modern golf shoes are assembled with specialized, powerful adhesives that bond the outsole, midsole, and upper together. The combination of hot water and forceful tumbling in a washing machine can literally dissolve this glue, causing the sole to separate from the shoe - a problem that is almost impossible to fix properly.
Waterproof Membrane Damage: Your DryJoys or HydroLites get their waterproof power from a highly advanced, breathable membrane laminated within the shoe's structure. This membrane is incredible at keeping water out, but it's also delicate. Submerging and violently agitating the shoe can cause micro-tears and "delamination," where the layers separate. Once that happens, the waterproofing is gone for good.
Structural Deformation: Your golf shoes are engineered to provide a stable platform for your swing. The heel counter, the toe box, and the overall shape are vital for support. The tumbling action of a washer can crush and deform these structural components, turning your stable, supportive shoe into a flimsy shell that offers poor footing and comfort.
Material Breakdown: FootJoy uses a range of advanced materials, from performance synthetic uppers to specialized foam cushioning like StratoFoam. Harsh laundry detergents can strip protective coatings, discolor materials, and break down the chemical structure of these foams, reducing their ability to provide cushioning and energy return.
A Voided Warranty: This is the bottom line for many. FootJoy, like virtually all golf shoe manufacturers, explicitly states that damage from immersion in water or from a washing machine is not covered by their warranty. You’re entirely on your own if something goes wrong.
Simply put, putting your shoes in the washing machine is exchanging an hour of work for hundreds of dollars worth of damage.
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The Pro's Method: How to Properly Clean Your FootJoy Golf Shoes
Cleaning your shoes the right way isn't just about making them look good, it's about maintaining their performance and extending their life. This is the exact method I use and teach my students. It's safe, effective, and protects your investment.
Step 1: Gather Your Cleaning Arsenal
You don't need fancy equipment. Most of what you need is probably already under your sink. Set up your cleaning station with the following:
A soft-bristled brush (an old toothbrush is perfect)
A few microfiber cloths or old towels
Two small bowls of lukewarm water
A small amount of mild soap (gentle dish soap works great)
Newspaper or paper towels
A stud wrench (if your shoes have replaceable spikes)
Step 2: Prep Work - Dry Cleaning First
Before you introduce any water, get rid of all the easy stuff.
First, bang the soles of the shoes together outside to dislodge any large clumps of mud, grass, and sand. Then, take your dry soft-bristled brush and go to work on the uppers and especially the outsole, scrubbing away all the loose, caked-on dirt. Getting rid of this dry debris now means you won’t be turning it into mud later.
Next, remove the shoelaces. This allows you to clean the tongue and eyelets properly. If you have replaceable spikes, now is the time to remove them with your spike wrench. Grime loves to build up in the spike receptacles, and this is your great chance to clean them out.
Step 3: The Gentle Wash
Now we get to the actual washing, but remember, the key is control. You want to clean the shoe, not saturate it.
For the Uppers: Mix a few drops of mild soap into one of your bowls of lukewarm water. Dip a microfiber cloth into the soapy water and wring it out so it is damp, not dripping. Gently wipe down the synthetic or leather uppers of the shoe in a circular motion. For stubborn scuffs or dirt in seams and mesh areas, dip your soft brush into the soapy water and gently scrub the spot. Focus only on the soiled areas.
For the Soles and Midsoles: This is the one area where you can use a bit more water and elbow grease. The midsoles, especially on white shoes, can get very dirty. Use your brush and soapy water to scrub the entire outsole and midsole until they’re back to their original bright color. This is what makes a shoe look brand new again.
For the Laces: Drop the laces into the bowl of soapy water and let them soak for a few minutes. Then, rub them together or scrub them with the brush, rinse them thoroughly, and set them aside to air dry.
Step 4: Rinsing Without Drowning
This step is just as important as the wash. You must remove all soap residue, which can attract more dirt and leave a dull film on your shoes.
Take a clean cloth and dip it in your second bowl of clean, fresh water. Wring it out and carefully wipe down all the surfaces you washed to remove any soap suds. You may need to rinse the cloth and repeat this a couple of times to get the shoe completely clean.
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You can do a perfect job cleaning your FootJoys and still ruin them in the final step. Never use direct heat todry your golf shoes. Do not put them in the dryer, leave them in front of a heat vent, use a hairdryer, or set them in direct, hot sunlight.
Heat is the enemy. It can shrink and crack leather, warp synthetics, and - like the washing machine - melt the glue that holds your shoes together.
Here’s the only truly safe way to dry them:
Pat Dry: Use a dry towel to pat down the outside of the shoes, absorbing any excess water.
Stuff Them: Loosely crumple up newspaper or paper towels and stuff them inside the shoes. This is a game-changer. The paper wicks away moisture from the inside and, crucially, helps the shoe hold its proper shape as it dries.
Wait: Place the shoes in a well-ventilated area at room temperature and let them air dry naturally. This can take 24 to 48 hours. If the paper becomes saturated after a few hours, replace it with fresh, dry paper.
Patience in the drying stage is what separates the novices from the pros. A slow, gentle, ambient-temperature dry is the only way to preserve the shoe's integrity.
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Once you’ve done the deep clean, a little regular maintenance will make the next cleaning session much easier. Think of it like taking a practice swing before you hit, it sets you up for success.
Pro Tip 1: Rotate Your Shoes
This is arguably the single best thing you can do for your footwear. Owning two pairs of golf shoes and rotating them allows each pair to fully dry out (even from foot sweat) for at least 48 hours between rounds. This preserves the cushioning, prevents odors from developing, and dramatically extends the life of both pairs.
Pro Tip 2: Condition Your Leather
If you wear traditional leather FootJoys (like the Premier Series), you must replenish the oils in the leather after cleaning. Once the shoes are completely dry, apply a high-quality leather conditioner with a soft cloth. This keeps the leather supple and prevents it from drying out and cracking.
Pro Tip 3: Post-Round Quick Clean
Don’t just throw your shoes in the trunk. Spend three minutes after your round to wipe them down with a damp towel. Removing surface dirt before it has a chance to set in makes a huge difference and keeps them looking sharp with minimal effort.
Final Thoughts
Caring for your FootJoy golf shoes correctly comes down to avoiding one simple mistake: never putting them in the washing machine. By following a gentle, manual cleaning process focused on control and patience, you'll protect the technology, comfort, and waterproof performance that you paid for, keeping them a reliable part of your game for years.
Just as proper equipment care sets a foundation for physical performance, smart thinking on the course sets you up for a better score. I view my planning and strategy as another key piece of equipment. That's why I rely on Caddie AI to help me think more clearly through every shot. When I'm facing a complex hole or am stuck between clubs, the app gives me an instant, simple strategy, cutting through the mental noise and letting me swing with confidence. Caring for your shoes is smart, equipping yourself with expert guidance is even smarter.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
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