What to Look for in Golf Shoes

Choosing the right golf shoes is a crucial equipment decision that directly impacts your comfort, your stability, and the overall performance of your golf swing. It's about far more than just finding a pair that looks good. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from traction and waterproofing to fit and stability, so you can find the perfect golf shoes to build your game from the ground up.

Why Your Golf Shoes Are More Than Just Footwear

Think of your golf shoes not as an accessory, but as a critical piece of performance equipment, just like your driver or putter. Your connection to the ground is the foundation of your entire golf swing. A powerful, repeatable swing requires a stable base. Without one, you're trying to build a house on sand. You'll leak power, lose balance, and struggle with consistency. During a typical 18-hole round, you’ll walk anywhere from four to six miles, often on uneven terrain. The last thing you want is to be thinking about your sore feet when you’re standing over a pivotal putt. Great golf shoes provide the stability you need to swing with confidence and the comfort you need to stay focused for all 18 holes.

Traction: Spiked vs. Spikeless

The single biggest decision you’ll make is between spiked and spikeless golf shoes. The tread on the bottom of the shoe is the engine of your stability, and these two styles offer very different approaches. Neither is universally "better," but one may be better for your game and the conditions you typically play in.

Spiked Golf Shoes: The Grip Kings

Traditional metal spikes are a thing of the past. Today's "spiked" shoes use dynamic, plastic "soft spikes" that are designed to grip the turf without tearing it up. They feature several receptacles on the sole where you can screw these replaceable cleats in.

Pros of Spiked Shoes:

• Maximum Traction: This is their main advantage. The cleats dig into the ground, providing an unparalleled level of horizontal grip. If you play on hilly courses, in wet or muddy conditions, or early in the morning when the dew is heavy, spiked shoes will give you the most secure footing.
• Ultimate Stability: For golfers who have a fast, powerful swing, the locked-in feeling from spiked shoes can be a huge confidence booster. They help prevent your feet from slipping or sliding during the rotation of your swing, allowing you to transfer energy more efficiently.

Cons of Spiked Shoes:

• Less Versatility: You really can't wear them anywhere but the golf course. Walking across hard surfaces like concrete cart paths or clubhouse floors can be uncomfortable and wear down the spikes quickly.
• Comfort: While modern spiked shoes are incredibly comfortable, they generally can't match the all-day, sneaker-like feel of their spikeless counterparts because of the rigid cleat structures on the sole.
• Maintenance: Spikes need to be cleaned and eventually replaced, adding a small maintenance task to your golf routine.

Spikeless Golf Shoes: Comfort and Convenience

Spikeless shoes don't have replaceable cleats. Instead, their traction comes from a one-piece rubber sole molded with dozens of small nubs, lugs, and patterns. They were once seen as a casual alternative, but today's technology has made them a top choice for amateurs and Tour pros alike.

Pros of Spikeless Shoes:

• Superior Comfort: Because the sole is more flexible andthere are no pressure points from cleats, spikeless shoes often feel more like a comfortable trainer or sneaker. This makes that four-mile walk much more pleasant.
• Versatility: This is a massive benefit. You can put them on at home, drive to the course, play your round, and head to the 19th hole or run errands on the way home without ever changing your shoes.
• Lighter Weight: Generally, spikeless models are lighter, reducing fatigue throughout your round.

Cons of Spikeless Shoes:

• Reduced Grip in a Few Scenarios: Modern spikeless shoes offer phenomenal grip - more than enough for most golfers in most conditions. However, in very wet, muddy, or hilly scenarios, they may not bite into the turf with the same ferocity as a fresh set of soft spikes.

How to Decide Between Spiked and Spikeless

Ask yourself these questions:

• What are my typical course conditions? If you often play in the rain, on courses with lots of elevation changes, or in soft, lush turf, the extra traction of spiked shoes is a significant advantage.
• What qualities do I prioritize most? If your number one priority is comfort and versatility for on-and-off course wear, and you primarily play in dry to moderately damp conditions, then spikeless is probably the way to go.
• Can I have both? Many serious golfers own a pair of each: a sturdy, spiked waterproof pair for tough conditions, and a comfortable, spikeless pair for perfect-weather days.

Comfort and Fit: Your 18-Hole Companion

A poorly fitting golf shoe is a round-ruiner. Even the most technologically advanced shoe is useless if it's causing you pain. When trying on shoes, follow these simple but effective steps:

• Shop in the afternoon: Your feet naturally swell throughout the day. Trying on shoes later in the day gives you a more accurate representation of how they’ll feel on the back nine.
• Wear your golf socks: Bring the same thickness of socks you'd typically wear to play golf. A thin dress sock will give you a completely different fit than a cushioned athletic sock.
• Check the length and width: There should be about a half-inch (a thumb’s width) of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Your foot should feel snug in the midfoot, but your toes should have room to wiggle. Most importantly, check the heel - when you walk, your heel should not slip or lift out of the back of the shoe. A locked-in heel is paramount for stability.

Pay attention to the midsole cushioning. This is the layer between your foot and the sole of the shoe, provides shock absorption and comfort. Brands use proprietary foam materials (like Adidas Boost or FootJoy StratoFoam) that offer different levels of softness and energy return. Find what feels best under your foot.

Stability: The Unseen Swing Coach

A stable shoe allows you to build power from the ground up efficiently. It acts as a firm platform that prevents energy leaks. When choosing a shoe, look for features that enhance stability:

• Lateral Support: The swing is a rotational motion. Your weight shifts from side to side. A good shoe has support built into the sides (laterally) to keep your foot from rolling over the edge of the shoe bed on the backswing or follow-through.
• Heel Counter: This is a firm, plastic insert built into the heel of the shoe. A strong heel counter cups your heel and locks it in place, preventing unwanted movement during the swing.
• A Wider Footprint: Some shoes are built on a slightly wider sole platform, particularly in the heel. This broader base provides more ground contact and an inherently more stable foundation.

Waterproofing & Breathability: Preparing for the Elements

Your feet must stay dry. Walking for hours in wet socks is not only miserable, but it also leads to blisters. Even on a completely sunny day, courses have morning dew, sprinkler heads, and wet spots in the rough. Look for shoes that come with at least a one-year waterproof warranty. Many premium shoes use technologies like Gore-Tex membranes that are both 100% waterproof and breathable.

Breathability is the other side of that coin. On a hot summer day, you need a shoe that lets heat and moisture escape to prevent your foot from getting sweaty and uncomfortable. Shoes made with performance mesh or perforated leather uppers will typically offer better airflow than solid synthetic or leather shoes.

Materials and Lacing: Finding Your Feel and Style

What a shoe is made from affects its feel, performance, and look.

• Natural Leather: Offers a classic, premium look. It’s naturally breathable, durable, and will mold to the shape of your foot over time for a customized fit. It does require occasional cleaning and conditioning to stay in top shape.
• Synthetic Materials: Encompasses a wide range of performance fabrics and engineered mesh. These uppers are lightweight, flexible, and require very little maintenance. They are often used in more athletic, sneaker-style golf shoes.

You also have a choice in closure systems.

• Traditional Laces: Tried, true, and gives you infinite control over tightness in different areas of your foot.
• BOA / Disc Systems: This popular alternative uses a dial (often on the heel or tongue) connected to steel laces. A few clicks of the dial tightens the shoe evenly and precisely. It’s quick, easy, and won't come undone during a round.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right golf shoe is a thoughtful process that balances traction needs, comfort, stability requirements, and the conditions you play in. Getting this piece of equipment right gives you a solid physical foundation, allowing you to swing with confidence and walk the course in comfort from the first tee to the last.

On top of having the right physical foundation with your shoes, another huge part of playing well is having a solid strategic foundation for every shot. You can have the grippiest shoes in the world, but they can't help you choose the right club from a tricky lie in the rough. To handle that part of the game with more confidence, our tool Caddie AI acts as an on-demand golf expert in your pocket. You can get instant advice on club selection, strategy for a tough hole, or even snap a photo of a an awkward lie to get a smart recommendation right on the course.