Your golf swing’s entire chain of motion starts from the ground up, making the connection between your feet and the turf one of the most important elements for power, balance, and consistency. Wearing ill-fitting golf shoes isn't just uncomfortable, it’s a performance killer. This guide will walk you through, step-by-step, how to measure your feet like a pro to find the perfect golf shoe size, ensuring you have the stable base you need to play your best.
As a golf coach, I see players spend thousands on new clubs and hours analyzing their swing on video, yet they’ll grab any old pair of golf shoes off the rack. This is a huge mistake. Your feet are your foundation. An unstable foundation leads to an unstable swing. A properly fitting golf shoe is about more than just avoiding blisters after walking 18 holes, it is about performance. For a deeper dive, read our guide on how golf shoes can affect your swing.
Here’s how a great fit directly translates to better golf:
One of the bigger traps I see golfers fall into is assuming their size in running shoes or dress shoes is their size on the fairway. This is often not the case. Understanding what makes golf shoes different is key. Each shoe company (like FootJoy, Adidas, PUMA, or Nike) uses a different “last,” which is the three-dimensional model upon which the shoe is constructed. A size 11 in a FootJoy Pro/SL might feel completely different from a size 11 in a Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour.
You also need to consider width, which is even more overlooked than length. People often compensate for a shoe being too narrow by going up a half-size in length, which is a recipe for a poor fit. Golf shoes are typically available in several widths:
A golf shoe should fit more snugly across the midfoot than a casual sneaker to prevent lateral movement during the swing. This snug fit, combined with the specialized traction elements, is crucial. Ever wonder why golf shoes have spikes?
The best way to begin is by getting an accurate measurement of your own feet. You don’t need a fancy fitting device, just a few household items. Doing this will give you the raw data you need before you even start looking at sizing charts online.
Timing and preparation are super important here for an accurate measurement. Your feet naturally swell throughout the day. For this reason, always measure your feet in the late afternoon or evening when they’re at their largest.
And make sure to put on the socks you’ll actually wear on the golf course. A thick golf sock versus a thin dress sock can easily account for a half-size difference.
Place one sheet of paper on a hard, flat surface. Put one foot firmly on the paper and stand with your weight distributed evenly. If possible, have someone else trace around your foot for you, though you can do it yourself too.
Hold the pen or pencil perpendicular to the paper - not at an angle inward or outward - and trace the complete outline of your foot. Make sure to get a clean line without any wobbles. Repeat this entire process for your other foot on a second sheet of paper.
Now that you have your two tracings, it's time to measure. Use your ruler to:
Take some notes on these measurements (in both inches and/or centimeters) for both of your feet. It's very common for one foot to be slightly larger than the other. You should always fit the larger of your two feet.
With your measurements in hand, your next step is to head online. Do a quick search for "[Brand Name] golf shoe size chart," replacing "[Brand Name]" with the company whose shoes you are interested in (e.g., "FootJoy golf shoe size chart"). This will help you choose the right golf shoes.
Most of these charts will allow you to convert your inch or centimeter measurement into their specific shoe size, with some even offering corresponding width guides. This measurement is your starting point - consider it your “true size.”
If you’re ever in a well-stocked shoe store or pro shop, also look for a Brannock Device, the silver metal contraption you’ve likely seen before. While your at-home tracing method is reliable, a Brannock gives three vital measurements: heel-to-toe length, heel-to-arch length (a critical measurement for ensuring proper support), and width. Don't be afraid to ask a friendly shoe associate for help with measuring - that data is absolute golden information.
Measurements get you into the ballpark. The in-person try-on test will make sure the shoe you wear will be a home run. Once you have a shoe you want to try wearing, this is a method you can use to gauge a solid fit for every aspect of your foot:
With the shoe on and laced as it would be worn for play, stand up tall in it. There should be around half an inch of space - or about a thumb's width - between the end of your longest toe and the very end of the inside of the shoe. That tiny space allows your foot room to swell and lengthen during movement without jamming into the end of your shoe.
Your foot should feel snug and secure across the ball of your foot, but not compressed or pinched. You shouldn’t feel any uncomfortable pressure or tension from bulging against the shoe materials. The fit across the shoe's instep should be snug, not restrictive.
Heel slippage is a non-negotiable dealbreaker. Walk a couple of yards or strides around at different speeds and maybe stop short. A shoe's heel should have minimal movement during normal motion and when stride changes occur, simulating the torque experienced during a golf swing.
This is probably the most insightful part of the final testing phase. Put on both shoes for a more accurate experience, and then make a few moderate practice swings. Notice how the shoe supports your ankles during your downswing and follow-through. Does the shoe keep your lead foot steady while pushing off your back leg? Does your heel lift at all? The ideal answers to these should be no.
Finding a perfectly-fitted golf shoe is a fundamental step toward building a more powerful and repeatable golf swing. By moving beyond your “regular” shoe size and taking the time to meticulously measure both your feet, you give yourself a better chance to make an educated purchase. This choice can make all the difference in your golfing experience.
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