How to Protect Golf Shoes

A quality pair of golf shoes is one of the most important investments you can make in your game, but they take a serious beating every time you head out for a round. Taking the time to protect and maintain them isn't just about looks, it’s about getting the most performance and longevity out of your gear. This guide will walk you through the simple, effective routines you can use before, during, and after your round to keep your shoes in top form for seasons to come.

The Pre-Round Prep: Creating a Barrier Against the Elements

The best way to deal with damage is to prevent it from happening in the first place. A few minutes of preparation before you even leave for the course can save you a ton of work later and dramatically extend the life of your shoes.

Step 1: Thorough Waterproofing

Most golf shoes come with some level of waterproofing, but that protective layer wears down over time. Re-treating them regularly is one of the single best things you can do, especially if you play early morning rounds when there's heavy dew or you aren't afraid of a little rain.

• For Leather Shoes: Leather is naturally porous, so it needs special attention. Use a high-quality leather waterproofing cream or wax-based conditioner. These products not only create a moisture barrier but also nourish the leather, keeping it supple and preventing it from cracking. Apply a thin, even layer with a soft cloth, paying close attention to the seams where water is most likely to seep in. Let it absorb, then buff off any excess.
• For Synthetic/Fabric Shoes: For shoes made from modern synthetic materials or mesh, a silicone-based waterproofing spray is your best bet. These sprays create an invisible barrier that causes water to bead up and roll right off. Make sure the shoes are clean and dry, then apply a light, even coat of the spray from about six inches away in a well-ventilated area. Let them dry completely, which usually takes a few hours. Repeat this process every month or so, depending on how often you play.

Step 2: Check Your Spikes or Treads

Before leaving the house, give your spikes a quick once-over. Are any of them worn down, broken, or missing? Worn-out spikes don't just reduce your traction and stability during the swing, a broken spike can actually damage the green or scrape up and tear the interior components of a golf cart. Most soft spikes are easy and inexpensive to replace. Simply use a spike wrench to unscrew the old ones and twist in the new ones. It’s a five-minute job that makes a huge difference in performance. For spikeless shoes, just check the treads for any lodged rocks or excessive wear patterns that might signal it's time for a new pair.

On-Course Care: Smart Habits During Your Round

How you treat your shoes while you’re walking the fairways is just as telling as how you clean them afterward. Think of it as in-game maintenance.

The Mid-Round Wipe-Down

It's a great habit to carry a "dirty" towel clipped to your bag - one you don't mind getting messy. After a shot from a wet fairway, a sandy bunker, or even just leaving a freshly mowed tee box, give your shoes a quick wipe. You're not looking for a deep clean, just to remove any immediate dirt, sand, or clumps of grass. Why? Letting mud or wet sand sit on your shoes for four hours allows moisture to penetrate and dirt to cake on, making the post-round cleaning much more difficult. This simple habit keeps your shoes lighter, cleaner, and better protected.

Navigate the Course with Your Gear in Mind

As a coach, I'm always talking about course management for your shots, but the same idea applies to your feet. Try to avoid the worst spots when possible.

• Avoid Puddles and Casual Water: If you don't have to walk through standing water, don't. While good shoes should keep your feet dry, needlessly submerging them puts extra strain on linings, glues, and outer materials.
• Tread Lightly in Bunkers: When you walk into a bunker, shuffling your feet buries them in sand, pushing fine abrasive particles into every seam and crease. Walk in carefully, take your shot, and walk out.
• Watch Out for Cart Paths and Concrete: The curbs of cart paths are notorious for scuffing and tearing the sides of golf shoes. Be mindful of how you step in and out of the cart and where you stand while you wait for your partners to hit. These little scrapes add up and degrade the look and integrity of your shoes.

The Post-Round Ritual: Giving Your Shoes a New Lease on Life

What you do in the 30 minutes after your round is arguably the most impactful part of shoe care. It’s what separates a pair of shoes that lasts one season from one that lasts three or four.

Step 1: The Clubhouse Clean-Off

Almost every golf course has a station with air compressors or stiff brushes near the clubhouse. Use them! Before you even think about putting your shoes in the car, take a minute to blow off all the loose grass clippings, dirt, and sand. For spiked shoes, use a spike-cleaning tool to dig out any caked-on mud from the receptacles. This prevents you from tracking a mess into your car and makes the at-home cleaning process much easier.

Step 2: A Proper Cleaning at Home

This is where you restore your shoes to their former glory. Don't put it off until tomorrow, dried mud is ten times harder to remove than fresh mud.

For All Shoe Types:

1. Remove the Laces: Pull the laces out. This allows you to open up the shoe and clean the tongue and eyelets properly. You can hand wash the laces separately in a small bowl of soapy water.
2. Brush Off Dry Debris: Use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub away any remaining loose dirt from the outside of the shoes and the soles.
3. Wet Cleaning: Mix a small amount of mild dish soap into a bowl of warm water. Dip your brush in the soapy water and gently scrub the uppers and soles. For spikeless shoes, an old toothbrush is perfect for getting into the nooks and crannies of the tread.
4. Rinse Gently: Wipe the shoes down with a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap residue. Do not submerge your shoes in water.

Material-Specific Care:

• Leather Shoes: After the initial soapy water wipe-down, you may want to use a dedicated leather cleaner or saddle soap for a deeper clean. Once dry, always apply a leather conditioner. Conditioner is like lotion for your skin, it moisturizes the leather, keeps it soft, and prevents it from drying out and cracking.
• Synthetic Shoes: The soap and water mixture is generally all you need. Be careful not to scrub too hard on mesh panels, as you could fray the material.

Step 3: The Art of Proper Drying

This is where so many golfers go wrong. Please, I’m begging you - do not use direct heat to dry your shoes. Placing them next to a radiator, in front of a heat vent, or using a hairdryer will bake the materials. It causes leather to crack and become brittle, can warp synthetics, and weakens the adhesives holding the shoe together. This is the fastest way to ruin a perfectly good pair.

The right way is to go low and slow:

• Stuff your shoes with crumpled newspaper or paper towels. This will help absorb excess moisture from the inside.
• Find a dry, well-ventilated spot at room temperature and let them air dry naturally. This can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours.
• Once fully dry, insert cedar shoe trees. This is a non-negotiable step for serious shoe care. Cedar shoe trees do three incredible things: they help the shoe hold its proper shape, they absorb any lingering moisture, and the natural cedar scent neutralizes odors.

Step 4: Smart Storage

The final step is how you store them between rounds. Tossing them in the trunk of your car is the worst possible option. The extreme heat in the summer and freezing cold in a garage during winter will break down the materials and glues over time. Store them in your house, in a closet, or on a shoe rack in a climate-controlled room. Using shoe bags can also help protect them from scuffs and dust.

Final Thoughts

Protecting your golf shoes really boils down to consistent, simple habits. By taking a proactive approach with pre-round waterproofing and keeping them clean during and after the game, you'll ensure your footwear performs well and looks great for years.

Building disciplined routines is what makes golfers better - this applies to equipment care just as much as it does to course strategy. Paying attention to the small things that prevent big mistakes is so important. That's why we built Caddie AI. Our app is designed to help you think like a pro with instant, on-demand advice, whether you're strategizing on the tee or facing a complicated recovery shot. It’s about building smarter habits so you can play with more confidence.