How to Keep Golf Shoes White

A fresh pair of white golf shoes looks sharp on the first tee, but keeping them pristine round after round can feel like fighting a losing battle against grass stains, dirt, and scuffs. The good news is, it doesn't have to be a major chore. With a consistent routine and the right techniques for your shoe's material, you can keep them looking nearly new all season long. This guide will walk you through everything from post-round preventative care to deep cleaning methods and tackling the most stubborn stains.

Prevention is the Best Medicine: Tending to Your Shoes After Every Round

Just like a solid pre-shot routine sets you up for success, a post-round cleaning routine prevents long-term damage and makes deep cleans far less frequent. Think of this as the essential "cool down" for your gear. Neglecting your shoes after a round, especially a damp one, is the fastest way to let dirt and stains set in permanently. Tossing them directly into the trunk of your car is asking for trouble.

A simple, consistent habit is your best defense. It takes maybe five minutes, but it will save you hours of scrubbing later on.

The 5-Minute Post-Round Ritual

This routine should become as automatic as shaking hands on the 18th green. Your goal is to remove the loose, surface-level debris before it gets ground a chance to bond with the shoe's material.

• Wipe Down Before You Leave the Course: Most courses have shoe cleaning stations for a reason. Use the compressed air to blow off loose grass and dirt, then use the brushes (gently!) to knock off any remaining surface debris and mud from the soles. A quick wipe with a damp towel from your golf bag on the uppers can work wonders.
• Give Them a Clap: Once you get home, take your shoes outside or over a trash can and clap the soles together firmly. This will dislodge any dried mud and dirt that has been embedded in the spikes or traction patterns.
• Dry Brush: Use a dedicated soft-bristle shoe brush to go over the entire shoe - uppers, midsoles, and soles. The goal is to remove every last speck of dry, loose dirt. A dry toothbrush is perfect for getting into smaller crevices around the sole.
• Proper Storage: This might be the most overlooked step. Never store your shoes in the trunk of your car, where extreme heat can break down the adhesives and cause the materials to warp and yellow. Store them indoors in a cool, dry, well-ventilated spot. Pop in some cedar shoe trees - they absorb moisture, help the shoes retain their shape, and combat odor.

Making this a habit will do 90% of the work for you. It stops grime in its tracks and means that when you do need to perform a deeper clean, you're starting with a much cleaner canvas.

The Deep Clean: A Step-by-Step Guide for Different Materials

Even with great preventative care, your white shoes will eventually need a more thorough washing. Sweat, ground-in dirt, and subtle scuffs will accumulate over time. The approach here is not one-size-fits-all, leather and synthetics require slightly different methods. The biggest mistake golfers make is using the wrong cleaners or techniques for the material.

And let's get one thing straight from the start: unless the manufacturer specifically says it's okay, do not put your golf shoes in the washing machine or dryer. It’s a sure-fire way to destroy high-quality shoes by breaking down the adhesives, ruining the waterproofing, and damaging the structure.

Cleaning White Leather Golf Shoes

Leather is a natural material that needs gentle care to maintain its texture, flexibility, and color. Harsh chemicals will strip the natural oils and cause cracking and discoloration. Stick to simple, mild solutions.

What You'll Need:

• Two or three microfiber cloths
• A soft-bristle brush (a shoe brush or old toothbrush works)
• A small bowl
• Mild dish soap or a dedicated leather cleaner
• A magic eraser for stubborn scuffs
• White leather conditioner or cream polish

The Process:

1. Prep Your Station: Lay down a towel to protect your workspace. Remove the shoelaces and insoles (if they're removable). Mix a few drops of mild dish soap into a bowl of warm water until it's slightly bubbly.
2. Wash the Laces: Soak the laces in the soapy water or a separate solution while you work on the shoes. You can scrub them together by hand or use the toothbrush to get them really clean. Rinse and set them out to air dry.
3. Initial Wipe-Down: Dip a microfiber cloth into your cleaning solution, wring it out so it's damp but not dripping, and gently wipe down the entire leather upper of the shoe. Use small, circular motions. This will lift away the top layer of dirt.
4. Focus on Problem Areas: For more set-in dirt, especially along seams, dip your soft-bristle brush into the solution and scrub gently. For scuff marks on the leather or midsole, a lightly dampened magic eraser works beautifully. Be gentle, as it is a mild abrasive.
5. Clean a Sole and Midsole: Don't neglect the sole. Use your brush and the same soapy water to scrub the midsole and the outsole, getting into all the grooves and traction patterns.
6. Rinse and Dry: Take a fresh, clean cloth, dampen it with plain water, and wipe down the entire shoe to remove any soap residue. Pat the shoe dry with a dry towel, then stuff them with the shoe trees (or newspaper) and let them air dry completely, away from direct sunlight or heat. This can take up to 24 hours.
7. Condition and Protect: Once the shoes are 100% dry, apply a small amount of a quality white leather conditioner or cream polish. This restores moisture to the leather, keeps it from cracking, and adds a protective layer that makes future cleanings a whole lot easier.

Cleaning White Synthetic or Mesh Golf Shoes

Synthetic and mesh/fabric shoes are often more forgiving and can stand up to slightly different cleaning methods. While they may not require conditioning, they can sometimes be more prone to staining since dirt can get trapped in the weave of the fabric.

What You'll Need:

• A soft-bristle brush or toothbrush
• A microfiber cloth
• A small bowl
• Mild dish soap, laundry detergent, or a paste of baking soda and water

The Process:

1. Prep Work: Just like with leather, remove the laces and insoles first. Laces can be washed in the same way. Give the shoes a thorough dry brushing to remove any loose debris.
2. Choose Your Cleaner: You have a few options here. Mild dish soap and water works well. A bit of laundry detergent in water is also effective. For more set-in smudges on fabric, a fantastic DIY solution is a paste made from equal parts baking soda and water.
3. Apply the Cleaner: Dip your brush into your chosen solution (or apply the paste) and work it into the uppers in small, circular motions. The idea is to lift the dirt out of the fabric's weave. Pay extra attention to the areas around the toe and heel where dirt tends to gather.
4. Scrub the Sole: Use the same method and a bit more elbow grease to get the midsole and outsole clean. Baking soda paste is particularly effective on white rubber midsoles that have started to get dingy.
5. Wipe and Rinse: Use a clean, damp cloth to carefully wipe away all the soap or paste residue. You may need to rinse and wring the cloth several times to get it all off. Make sure no soapy film is left behind, as this can attract more dirt later.
6. Air Dry: Stuff the shoes with paper towels or shoe trees and let them air dry completely in a well-ventilated area. Again, avoid direct C. or putting them near a radiator. This can damage the materials and melt the glue.

Tackling Tough Stains and Scuffs

Sometimes, a general clean isn't enough to handle specific blemishes. Here’s how to deal with the most common culprits a golfer faces.

• Grass Stains: These are the classic enemy of white shoes. For fresh stains, a solution of one part white vinegar to one part water applied with a cloth or toothbrush can work well. Blot the stain, don’t rub it in. A dab of rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball can also be effective, but always test it on an inconspicuous spot first.
• Stubborn Scuff Marks: We mentioned it before, but it deserves its own point. A magic eraser is the go-to tool for removing black scuff marks from almost any part of a golf shoe, especially the white rubber midsoles.
• Yellowing Midsoles: Over time, the white rubber on your soles can start to yellow. To combat this, make a thick paste using baking soda and a bit of hydrogen peroxide. Apply it to the yellowed areas with a toothbrush, then let the shoes sit in direct sunlight for an hour or two. The combination of the paste and UV rays can have a phenomenal brightening effect. Wipe the paste off with a damp cloth afterward.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your white golf shoes looking their best comes down to a simple, two-pronged approach: consistent post-round maintenance to stop dirt in its tracks, followed by occasional, proper deep cleans based on your shoe's material. When you invest in your gear, you feel more prepared and confident stepping onto the course.

That feeling of confidence is something we work hard to provide you with on every shot. Just as these routines help you prepare your gear off the course, Caddie AI is designed to give you that same sense of clarity and confidence when you're standing over the ball. Whether you need an instant strategy for a blind tee shot or expert advice for a tricky lie in the rough, our app is like having a tour-level caddie in your pocket. It removes the guesswork so you can commit to your swing, knowing you’ve made the smart play.