Golf Shoe Buying Guide
If you’ve been playing golf for a while, you have likely cycled through countless pairs of golf shoes throughout the time you’ve spent on the course. Each shoe will be different than the next and will have some features that you love and some that could be improved on.
For a new player, the options available today can be overwhelming, making it difficult to find the best pair for your preferences and the conditions that you play in most often while still being in your price range.
With the combination of an ever-rising cost of golf shoes and more options being available now more than ever, it can be difficult to decide which pair of golf shoes will fit your style and needs. To help make it easier on you, we will be breaking it all down.
Spiked vs. Spikeless
The debate between spike and spikeless golf shoes has been going on for years without one side coming out on top. In order to help you make the decision, we are going to take a look at the pros and cons of spiked and spikeless golf shoes. When it comes to this decision, the choice will come down to personal preferences but the more you know, the easier is it will be to decide.
Spiked- Spiked shoes are the traditional style with soles that have spikes protruding from the bottom for maximum traction during your golf swing. These shoes are made with all of the popular materials and are manufactured by all major golf apparel brands.
Pros:
- Maximum traction during your swing
- The preferred choice in wet conditions
- A large variety of style choices and brands
Cons:
- Spikes wear and will need to be replaced eventually
- Spikes can be slippery when walking on wet cement
- Spikes will often let water in once they wear down causing them to no longer be waterproof
- Can damage the golf course
Spikeless: Spikeless golf shoes have become a popular choice over the past decade because they are versatile enough to be worn as regular shoes while still providing traction on the course. This option is arguably the most comfortable and stylish of all options and they often are designed based on popular sneakers like the Nike Air Max shoe.
Pros:
- Most stylish of all golf shoe styles
- Generally more comfortable than spiked shoes
- Often waterproof
- Lighter than spiked shoes
- Can be worn off the course
- Won’t damage the course like spikes
Cons:
- Can have less traction than spiked shoes, especially in wet conditions
- Will wear overtime
Popular Golf Shoe Materials
Golf shoes have evolved an impressive amount over the past few decades with the introduction of materials that allow companies to turn your favorite pair of shoes into your next pair of golf shoes. Before you decide on a pair, check out the pros and cons of all popular materials below.
Mesh: Mesh golf shoes are comfortable, lightweight, and breathable. They are a great choice in warm, dry conditions because they will keep your feet from sweating and becoming uncomfortable.
Pros:
- Lightweight which makes them a good choice for walking
- Mesh is breathable
- Best choice for warm weather
Cons:
- Are often not waterproof
- Can be very difficult to clean
Leather: Leather is the most popular golf shoe material because of the list of benefits to the player and the durability of the material. Leather has been the choice of golfers since they began making golf shoes and still are to this day. The higher price of this choice is well worth it when you consider the benefits.
Pros:
- Sturdy material that will last a long time
- Comfortable and breathable in warm weather.
- Supports your foot for all-day comfort
- Mostly waterproof to keep you dry
Cons:
- More expensive than other materials
Synthetic Leather: The less expensive alternative to leather with a lot of similar benefits. With synthetic being an affordable choice, they are a popular material on the market today. These shoes are stylish and comfortable. You can find synthetic shoes in a huge variety of options.
Pros:
- More affordable than leather
- Lighter than leather
- Comfortable for walking
- Mostly waterproof
Cons:
- Not as breathable as leather
- Won’t last as long as leather
Determine What’s Best For You
Once you’ve considered all of these options, you should think about the conditions that you play golf in most. If you live in an area that is often cold and wet, it’s important to have shoes that are waterproof and they won’t need to be as breathable. If you play in an area that is often warm and dry, you may only want to consider shoes that are lightweight and breathable and not worry about them being waterproof.
Whether you’re shopping for practical shoes to wear in all weather conditions or searching for that next pair of stylish shoes to show off on the course. We hope this guide helps you find your next pair to rock on the course!