How to Clean Hyperflex Golf Shoes

Your FootJoy Hyperflex golf shoes are engineered for athletic performance and supreme comfort, but all that grass, dirt, and dust from a long round can take a toll on their good looks. Keeping that advanced knit mesh and high-tech sole clean doesn't require any special tricks, just the right method and a bit of care. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, to get your Hyperflex shoes looking and feeling box-fresh again.

Gather Your Cleaning Kit

Before you start, get all your tools ready. Having everything on hand makes the process smooth and simple. You don’t need much, and you probably have most of these items already.

• Soft-Bristle Brush: A dedicated shoe brush is great, but an old toothbrush or a soft-bristled dish brush works perfectly fine. The goal is to scrub without damaging the delicate knit fabric.
• Microfiber Towels: You’ll want at least two - one for cleaning and one for drying. Microfiber is ideal because it's highly absorbent and non-abrasive.
• Two Bowls of Water: Fill one with warm water and a small amount of mild cleaning solution. Fill the other with clean, cool water for rinsing.
• Mild Cleaning Solution: A few drops of fragrance-free laundry detergent, dish soap, or a specialized shoe cleaner is all you need. Avoid harsh chemicals or anything with bleach.
• Optional but Recommended: A Magic Eraser for scuffs on the midsole and some newspaper or shoe trees for the drying process.

Step 1: Prep Work – The Knock Down the Debris Phase

Before you introduce any water, you need to get rid of all the loose, dry mess. Skipping this step just turns dry dirt into wet mud, making your job harder. This is a quick and satisfying part of the process that sets you up for an effective deep clean.

Get Rid of Loose Dirt

First, knock the soles of the shoes together outside or over a bin to dislodge any big clumps of mud, grass, and sand. Once the big stuff is gone, take your dry soft-bristle brush and go over the entire shoe. Pay special attention to the performance mesh upper and the grooves in the OptiFlex outsole. Your goal is to brush away as much dry debris as possible before moving on.

Remove Laces and Inseles

Next, pull out the laces and the insoles. This allows you to clean these components separately and more thoroughly. More importantly, it gives you better access to clean the inside of the shoes and the tongue area, which can trap a surprising amount of dust and grass. Just set the laces and insoles aside for now, we'll get to them later.

Step 2: Cleaning the Knit Mesh Upper

The engineered mesh on your Hyperflex shoes is what gives them that sock-like comfort, but it’s also the area that needs the most attention. Treat it gently. You want to lift the dirt out of the fabric, not scrub it deeper in.

Create Your Cleaning Solution

In your first bowl, mix warm water with a very small amount of your mild detergent or shoe cleaner. You don’t need a lot of suds, too much soap will be difficult to rinse out and can leave a residue that attracts more dirt later. The water should be just slightly soapy.

The Gentle Scrub Technique

Dip your soft-bristle brush into the soapy water, tapping off any excess liquid. You want the brush to be damp, not dripping wet. Begin cleaning the mesh upper using small, circular motions. Work on one section at a time, being gentle but thorough. The goal is to agitate the dirt on the surface so it can be wiped away easily. You'll see the dirt start to lift and gather in the light foam.

For tougher, more concentrated stains, you can apply a tiny bit of direct pressure, but always keep the circular motion going. The knit fabric is durable, but aggressive scrubbing can cause it to fray or pill over time.

Rinse and Wipe

Now, take your first microfiber towel and dip it into the second bowl of clean, cool water. Wring it out so it's damp, not soaked. Gently wipe away all the soap and dirt from the section you just cleaned. You may need to rinse the towel and repeat this a few times to get all the suds off. This step is significant for preventing soap residue from building up.

Continue this scrub-and-wipe process, section by section, across the entire mesh upper of both shoes until they are spotless.

Step 3: Detailing the Midsole and Outsole

The foam midsole and the TPU outsole are much more robust than the upper, so you can be a little more assertive when cleaning them. This is where you restore that "brand new" look and ensure your traction is at its best.

Tackling the Stratofoam Midsole

The white or light-colored Stratofoam midsole is a billboard for scuffs and dirt marks. For this area, your brush and soapy water will do a solid job on general grime. Dip your brush back into the cleaning solution and give the entire midsole a good scrub. Don't be afraid to use a little more elbow grease here.

For stubborn black scuff marks that won’t budge, a Magic Eraser works wonders. Simply dampen the aposer and gently rub it on the scuffs. You’ll be surprised how quickly they disappear. After scrubbing, wipe the whole midsole clean with your damp microfiber towel.

Clearing out the OptiFlex Outsole

Traction is performance. A sole packed with dried mud and grass isn’t delivering the grip it was designed for. Use your brush and soapy water to scrub the entire outsole, focusing on every groove and crevice. For any compacted dirt that won't come out with the brush, a golf tee or a wooden skewer is a great tool for scraping it out gently without scratching the plastic.

Step 4: Freshening Up the Laces and Insoles

While the shoes air out a bit, it's time to take care of the laces and insoles you removed earlier. Clean components make the whole shoe feel fresh.

Washing the Laces

The easiest way to clean your laces is to just drop them into your bowl of remaining soapy water. Let them soak for about 10-15 minutes, then swish them around and gently rub them between your hands. Squeeze out the dirty water and rinse them under cool running water until it runs clear. Don't put them in the washing machine or dryer, as the heat and agitation can damage the plastic tips (aglets).

Cleaning the Insoles

Insoles should never be put in the washing machine or fully submerged in water, which can break down the supportive foam. Instead, take your damp cloth with a little bit of the soap solution and gently wipe them down. Focus on any soiled spots on the heel or ball of the foot. To help with odor, you can sprinkle them with a light coating of baking soda once they are completely dry, let it sit for a few hours, then tap it off before putting them back in the shoes.

Step 5: The Drying Game – Patience is the Final Polish

How you dry your Hyperflex shoes is just as important as how you clean them. Rushing this step with heat can permanently damage the materials, compromise the adhesives, and warp the shape of the shoe.

First, take your dry microfiber towel and pat the entire shoe, inside and out, to absorb as much surface moisture as possible. Then, stuff the shoes loosely with newspaper, paper towels, or blank printing paper. This does two jobs: it helps absorb moisture from the inside and, more importantly, it helps the shoe maintain its proper shape as it dries.

Find a cool, dry spot indoors, away from direct sunlight or any heat source like a radiator or vent. Let them air dry naturally. This can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours, so patience is needed. Check on them periodically and replace the paper stuffing if it becomes saturated. Your shoes are ready when they are completely dry to the touch, inside and out.

What Not to Do: Common Mistakes to Avoid

To keep your Hyperflex shoes in top shape for seasons to come, steer clear of these common cleaning pitfalls.

• Never use a washing machine. The high heat and intense spin cycle can wreak havoc on the performance fabrics, foams, and glues used to construct your shoes.
• Never use a dryer or any direct heat source. Intense heat is the #1 enemy of high-performance footwear. It can shrink the knit material, weaken the adhesive bonds, and cause the sole to become brittle.
• Avoid harsh chemicals. Bleach, ammonia, or other strong household cleaners will discolor and degrade the delicate mesh fabric. Stick to mild soap.
• Don’t use a wire brush or hard-bristled brush. On the mesh upper, this will cause snagging and abrasion. Stick to a soft brush only.

Final Thoughts

It’s clear that keeping your FootJoy Hyperflex shoes clean is a straightforward process. A regular, gentle cleaning using basic supplies will preserve their performance, extend their lifespan, and keep you looking sharp for every round.

And speaking of playing with confidence, looking good is only half the battle. When you’re faced with a tough decision on the course, like how to play a tricky approach shot or what club to pull on a new hole, we believe you should have expert-level advice right there with you. That's why Caddie AI gives you on-demand guidance from an AI golf coach, analyzing your specific situation and giving you a smart, simple strategy in seconds, so you can focus on simply hitting great shots.