When you play a full 18-hole golf course, it involves about 6 miles of walking, maybe more. Some may view golf as a sedentary sport, but nothing could be further from the truth. Golfing actually involves a sustained amount of physical exertion. Not wearing the right shoes could mean a higher score, not to mention aching feet. Who needs the distraction and discomfort?
The construction of the best golf shoes, as with running shoes and tennis shoes has evolved quite a bit from the 1980s. Back then shoes were hard and stiff, made with durable leather that didn’t let feet breathe. By the end of a game, it felt great to take them off. Every shoe had metal spikes that often damaged greens.
In the 1990s, softer plastic cleats made an appearance and many golf shoes still have them. However, in the second decade of the 2000s, no spikes at all seem to be the trend. A grooved rubber outsole is expertly crafted to provide plenty of ultra traction while allowing you to walk everywhere else, as well.
With all the high-tech science available, developers and designers of the best golf shoes want to utilize, the same technology used for running, football, basketball, soccer and other sports shoes. So golf players can enjoy some of the same advantages for their feet.
The goal is all about creating optimum performance footwear that feels great.
So What Should You Look For in The Best Golf Shoes?
Here are some of the questions to consider:
- Are they lightweight? Wearing a heavier shoe can tire you out a lot faster. Better to save energy for the game.
- Are they comfortable? Comfort is essential. If you’re feet feel good, you’ll be in a better mood and can focus on your swing. Soft, cushioned, and flexible should be on the top of your list.
- Are they supportive? New technology makes it possible to have comfort and support. You need just the right amount of stability to hold your feet securely while allowing give when you’re swinging and following through.
- Are they waterproof? Think of the dewy mornings, the light rains, the ball you have to hit out of the water. You don’t want wet socks and feet for the entire game.
- Are they breathable? Sweaty, hot feet feel damp and uncomfortable, too, so you need the best golf shoes that allows some air circulation.
While many other helpful features exist in the best golf shoes today, the ones listed above are the most important. Any added benefits are bonuses to take into account, as well.
Here are 10 of the best golf shoes on the market to check out before making a decision.
The Etonic Golf Sports Shoe
This shoe offers the great fit and flexibility of a sneaker while providing the extra features needed on the golf course.
Pros:
- Has a 2-color durable rubber outsole and microfiber leather and mesh upper. This provides support and breathability.
- The midsole has cushioning and support.
- Mesh tongue lets your feet breathe so you can feel comfortable throughout your golf game.
- It has six removable spikes if you’re walking on regular terrain.
- They’re waterproof so when you have to go into the water to get your ball you’re fine. Don’t let rainy days stop you, either.
- Lightweight which makes it easier if you’re walking from hole to hole.
- It’s a good deal for the money spent.
- Many purchasers are happy with the look and feel.
Cons:
- Most of the shoe is synthetic plastic, as opposed to leather.
- It has been called a little plain looking in reviews.
- Has to be unlaced and tied instead of having the convenience of slipping them on.
- The foot support offered is closer to an average sneaker or standard golf shoe, so if you need a little more, this might not be a good fit.
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Puma Men’s Ignite Pwrsport Golf Shoes
With the Puma Men’s Ignite Golf Shoes there is plenty of room for your forefoot and toes. You’ll have an extra spring in your step and much needed comfort while walking and standing on your feet for so long.
Pros:
- Made of textile woven fabric and synthetic uppers, as well as a synthetic sole.
- New PU foam has a responsive, stable cushioning.
- The frame encasing the EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) material midsole is lightweight, ultra-thin and provides flexibility along with superior traction.
- The shoe is made with waterproof, yet breathable mesh that’s non-stretch.
- The cage and frame combine for spikeless performance that allows you to walk on greens and cement with confidence, not ruining your shoes or the most delicate parts of the golf course.
- You can step into some water or wet grass with confidence. Your feet will remain dry and cozy.
- The directional lugs placed in zones of the shoe increase traction and grip during the swing so you can give it more power.
- The padded insole gives you all-day comfort.
- You get external TPU (thermoplastic urethane), a solid post placed at the back of the shoe that adds support and prevents the heel from rolling inward.
- Sleek, sharp look.
Cons:
- Purchasers have found that the size is a little long in the toe area and recommend going down half a size. However, it could then feel a little snug in the toes.
- The general consensus is that the shoe is loose in the heel and tight in the toes.
- Some don’t like the pointy look in front. That’s a matter of taste.
- The ankle support has a larger gap that allows grass and other things kicked up to land inside the shoe.
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Adidas Men’s Adipower 4orged S Golf Shoe
The Men’s Adipower is very comfortable and offers great support for your feet. It has many other features that improve your golf game, as well.
Pros:
- The sole is rubber and features a Puremotion spikeless outsole with strategically placed ridges that give you Adiwear traction. This allows you to walk with confidence on greens and hard areas that might otherwise compromise metal spikes, or damage the fine grass where putting.
- Has forefoot cushioning with a responsive Boost midsole that provides flexible bounce while walking.
- The upper shoe has a thin TPU film to protect it against water and is forged with microfiber leather and textile material.
- It has an appealing style.
- Features BOA laces for easy putting on and taking off.
- You don’t notice how dirty they get because they’re not white, which makes maintenance easier.
- There is a nice cushion in the heel.
Cons:
- Tip of the shoes scratches easily. Just driving a stick shift car once using the clutch pedal, a customer’s shoes got noticeably marked so be careful. That’s the only negative statement listed.
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ECCO Men’s Biom Hybrid 3 Gore-tex Golf Shoe
These Danish design imported golf shoes are 100% leather with a rubber sole. You’ll enjoy flexibility and comfort while walking from hole to hole. Ecco Biom Natural Motion technology makes you feel closer to the ground with the anatomical structure providing you more control and stability.
Pros:
- GORE-TEX 100% waterproof technology that gives you breathability along with protection against the elements. It consists of a thin membrane between the leather upper and the inner lining so that wetness stays out while natural moisture from within can escape.
- Offers rotational support from backswing to follow through.
- YAK leather uppers give you incredible durability and breathability.
- They’re lightweight.
- Ecco Fluidform technology has been developing for 30 years to create an ergonomically advanced sole. It delivers cushioning and rebound at the same time.
- You get the BOA Closure System which saves time when you’re putting on your shoes, eager to start the game. The dial is smaller in diameter and lower in height for easier handling and fine-tuned adjustments.
- ECCO Tri-Fi-Grip is engineered to support every aspect of your golf game. With three different zones – stability, durability and rotational support.
- Ecco takes measures to protect the environment, too.
- They’re very comfortable, stylish, casual shoes you could wear anywhere.
Cons:
- Don’t come in widths.
- Slippery, while others said not at all.
- Can be hard to get your size on Amazon.
- Expensive price, but worth it.
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Adidas Men’s Tech Response Golf Shoes
These golf shoes are made with Thintech, a technology by Adidas years in the making. After getting feedback from players and what they want, they came up with a shoe that brings you closer to the ground.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- They are 75% Microfiber leather and 25% mesh offering support, durability, and breathability.
- They have soft EVA insole for comfort and cushioning and feel more like running shoes than stiffer shoes that leave your feet sore.
- Feature 6 spikes along with Thintech low-profile technology for better stability and traction.
- Reasonably priced for what they deliver compared to other golf shoes of the same quality.
- Stylish and casual.
- Give your feet the feeling they’re firmly making contact with the ground, improving swings.
Cons:
- Not waterproof.
- May have a narrow fit for some.
- Spikes are soft so they can wear out more quickly, especially if worn off the course.
- Do not come with extra spikes or the tools to remove them.
- Hard to find replacement spikes.
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Skechers Men’s Torque Waterproof Golf Shoe
If you like to walk between holes and carry your own golf bag, you’ll appreciate these light shoes with high-rebound cushioning. You may feel ready to go another 18 holes when you finish.
Pros:
- Waterproof H2GO shield for 1-year protection.
- Lightweight synthetic upper with a leather looking finish.
- Molded rubber grip bottom plate with replaceable soft spikes that deliver traction in every playing condition.
- GOGA MAX technology that provides support in the footbed.
- ULTRA FLIGHT midsole that has cushioning foam responsive to your feet.
- Soft fabric lining.
- Thick ¾ inch heel for added cushion.
- Smooth, seamless design with contrasting colors on the side for a sporty look.
- Nice wide width.
Cons:
- Lace-up fronts which take longer to do than the BOA closure systems.
- Better not to remove spikes to walk other places because the holes get clogged with dirt and other debris.
- The inner sole is not removable if it bothers you.
- May cause feet to sweat.
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Callaway Men’s Balboa TRX Golf Shoe
These golf shoes are leather with a synthetic sole. Though they are more expensive than some of the other shoes listed (probably because they are leather, and promise to repel water), they’ve also received more negative reviews you might want to ponder.
Pros:
- Waterproof opti-repel microfiber leather upper.
- A 7-spike dura-rubber outsole.
- Opti-soft EVA midsole with a 5mm sock liner.
- Champ Slim-Lok Cleats
Cons:
- After only 30 rounds of golf, and within one year of playing, the upper leather material began to separate from the sole and split on the sides.
- After two months feet may start getting wet from dew.
- Sizing and proper fit are an issue causing foot discomfort and pain.
- Spikes wear out quickly.
- A stinky smell from the repel fiber has been complained about.
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FootJoy Men’s Pro/Sl-Previous Season Style Golf Shoes White 13 M
FootJoys have a good reputation for comfort. They’re also known for their 100% waterproof performance leather called Chromoskin, developed by Pittards of England. It’s supple and lightweight while providing durability.
They also have no plastic spikes that need replacing, though they offer excellent traction because of the raised nibs on the sole.
Pros:
- A perimeter weighted outsole that allows extreme stability.
- Thicker insole providing underfoot enhanced cushioning.
- Laser plus fit that gives a full rounded toe area, standard fit in the forefront and instep, and a narrower heel.
- Guaranteed waterproof for two years
- Fine-tuned foam made of 2 blends in a one-piece outsole that is TPU molded, creating excellent traction.
- Can be worn away from the course, as well.
- Good arch support
Cons:
- Some size issues affecting comfort have been reported, including width.
- A FootJoy user of an older shoe said after 4 to 5 hours this shoe was no longer comfortable.
- Most reviews are positive.
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ECCO Men’s Biom Hybrid 2 Hydromax Golf Shoe
ECCO designed the Men’s Biom Hybrid by examining how feet relate to swinging the golf club. They also wanted to create a luxuriously comfortable interior. These shoes feature yak leather uppers treated with HYDORMAX and an anti-stain formula that protects your shoes no matter the season but are still naturally soft and breathable.
ECCO takes pride in their four dots on every golf shoe that symbolizes the unrivaled devotion to high-quality, high-tech, comfort, and style. They use innovative technology, TRI-FI GRIP, engineered to give you stability, durability and supported rotational movement that helps you from backswing to follow-through.
Pros:
- Soles have TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane), a wear-resistant material that lasts five times longer than rubber. It also has 100 molded traction bars at over 800 varying angles for outstanding grip and tour-proven traction. It’s called the ECCO Dynamic Traction System (E-DTS)
- The outsole has soft curves and optimized spacing between the studs to minimize dirt clogging.
- The sole unit is extremely lightweight, shock-absorbing, and flexible.
- Features anatomical shape developed by scanning the feet of 2500 athletes for superior support.
- The insole uses silicon printing to prevent unwanted foot movement during a swing by providing strong stability.
- The insole is also removable.
- These shoes help golfers feel the ground, giving them more swing power.
- ECCO designed an innovative BOA closure system with no pressure points and smooth, even fastening. It brags a new L6 Reel Platform with lower stack height, small diameter, a subtle dial, and easier adjustment (with just one hand) than when using regular laces.
- It’s all designed to last the life of the shoe.
- Laces are aircraft-grade stainless steel and withstand high tension.
- Laces are dirt repellent and easy to clean.
- Ecco takes measures to protect the environment.
- Shoes can be used off the golf course.
Cons:
- Some staining has been reported with a suggestion to buy the black color.
- May be a tad big in the heel for some.
- The bottom rivet can press against the top of foot when walking,
- Not enough padding in the insole for some.
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Nike Men’s Lunar Command 2 Golf Shoe
The Nike Men’s Lunar Command 2 Golf Shoe is a combination of leather and synthetic material. It features Lunar Ion Foam and FlyWire technology to provide a lightweight shoe with a secure, cushioned fit. They have a midfoot shank that heightens your feel of the ground.
Pros:
- The upper has a waterproof membrane.
- The sole is rubber.
- Flywire lacing provides a supportive fit around feet.
- Lunarion cushioning is responsive when you walk from heel to toe.
- 7 removable CHAMP PiviX spikes that twist and lock into place give you exceptional traction.
Cons:
- Lacing up takes longer than using a BOA system.
- Feet get warm in the heat.
- Very snug fit but stretch out as you use them
- They make noise when you walk.
- Can have a narrow fit
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It’s a lot to take in, but you’ve gained a little more knowledge about the best golf shoes and what they have to offer to help with your choice. When purchasing golf shoes, keep in mind your preferences and needs.
Maybe you like lacing up the standard way and don’t want the BOA closure system. Comfort may be more important to you than exceptional traction. Perhaps you like the feel of spikes beneath your feet and only plan to wear them on the fairways.
The important thing to remember: you want to have fun and feel good out there because that usually translates into a better golf game all around.
