Best golf shoes: Ideal shoes for all abilities and conditions
Pick up a trusty pair of golf shoes at a price that suits you
Picking up one of the best pairs of golf shoes that money can buy will go a long way to helping you to develop your game, whether you’re a beginner on the course or a seasoned pro. You might not think it, but owning the right shoes could make a huge difference to your game and, in any case, most golf clubs won’t even let you in until you own a decent pair of golf shoes.
There are different golf shoes to suit different conditions, and wearing the correct pair could make the difference between victory and loss on a Saturday morning. In addition, comfort is king in a sport that could see you spending four hours – or more – out on the course on a weekly basis, so wearing the wrong golf shoes simply isn’t an option.
We’ve put together a comprehensive buying guide to help you decide which are the best golf shoes for you. After that, read on to find an extended list of some of our favourite golf shoes on the market to suit all abilities and conditions.
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How to buy the best golf shoes for you
How much should I spend?
Although it may sound obvious, this really depends on the quality of the golf shoes that you want to buy. Beginners can pick up a decent pair for anywhere between £50 and £80, but some of the most prestigious golf brands offer pairs for as much as £250 (an eye-watering amount, we know).
As well as considering the price of your shoes, you should also think about whether you want to invest in more than one pair. More on that below.
Spikes or no spikes?
The trade-off here is a simple one. Traditional spiked shoes are better in wet (i.e. British) conditions, where you’re likely to be playing on soft turf on a regular basis. The spikes on the bottom of the shoes give you that little bit of extra grip and stability when you swing, and make for a more comfortable walk around hilly courses in particular.
Spikeless shoes, however, which are inspired by American courses located in drier climates than their UK equivalents, are becoming more and more popular. The absence of spikes makes for a lighter shoe, which can be more comfortable and cause less damage to the course. Hybrid shoes, which are built to suit all golfing conditions, are also widely available.
Which brands are best?
Again, this really depends on what sort of thing you’re looking for. If you want a big name, FootJoy is the undisputed market leader when it comes to golf shoes. The company has long been renowned for making some of the best golf shoes on the market, though they often come at a high cost.
Big sporting brands including Nike and Adidas also do fine lines in golf shoes and, if you’re after something a little bit more modern, the new breed of golf shoe manufacturers includes New Balance and Skechers.
Anything else to look out for?
- Comfort: whether you use a golf buggy or not, you’re going to get some serious mileage out of whichever golf shoes you decide to buy. It’s imperative that you choose a pair that feels comfortable, whether you have narrow or wide feet.
- Fastenings: some golf shoes feature traditional laces, and some feature velcro straps. Which one you choose really comes down to personal preference.
- Waterproof: many modern golf shoes come with a waterproof guarantee, so this is something you may want to consider if you’re often likely to play in wet conditions.
- Design: from colourful sporty models to classic and classy designs, there’s a golf shoe design to suit every taste.
With all of the above in mind, scroll down to find our pick of the best golf shoes that money can buy.
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The best golf shoes that money can buy
1. FootJoy Pro SL: The best all-round golf shoes
Price: £150 (men’s); £125 (women’s) | Buy men’s | women’s from American Golf
FootJoy’s Pro SL (sometimes stylised as Pro|SL) set the standard when it comes to the very best-performing golf shoes on the market. A flagship product of the world’s most prestigious golf shoe brand, the Pro SL offers the most grip of any spikeless golf shoes out there, allowing you to have your cake and, well, eat it.
The shoes’ weighted Infinity outsole, combined with an advanced traction system, will keep you stable throughout your swing in all conditions, and the soft Premium Chromoskin Leather material (from which the majority of the shoe is constructed) will maximise comfort. In addition, these highly practical shoes are waterproof, coming with a one-year guarantee from most major retailers.
Key specs – Sizes available: 7-11; Type: Spikeless; Material: Premium Chromoskin Leather; Colours available: Black, Grey, White, Blue
2. Under Armour Medal: The best golf shoes for value
Price: £80 | Buy now from American Golf
A snip at just £80, Under Armour’s Medal golf shoes offer a big-name brand at a reasonable price. In the Medal, Under Armour has aimed to produce a spikeless shoe that also offers grip to suit all conditions. The shoes combine a lightweight Clarino microfibre with a more durable rubber outsole to keep your feet dry and comfortable out on the course.
For the price, we think that both the white and grey models look absolutely fantastic. Compare them to any of the other shoes on this list and you’d be hard pressed to say which ones represented the budget option. So, if you’re a beginner looking to be taken seriously out on the course, the Under Armour Medal could be the right shoe for you.
Key specs – Sizes available: 7-11; Type: Spikeless; Material: Clarino microfibre; Colours available: Grey, White
3. Ecco Biom G3: The best golf shoes for wet weather
Price: £200 | Buy men’s | women’s from American Golf
And now for something completely different. ECCO’s Biom G3 golf shoes certainly look unusual and, being crafted from premium yak leather, are one of the more unconventional products to make this list.
Danish footwear manufacturer ECCO is an expert in making practical shoes, and this is reflected in the impressive feature set of the Biom G3 golf shoes. The hard-wearing exterior is enhanced with a waterproof Gore-Tex membrane to keep your feet bone dry in soaking wet conditions, and the lightweight and easy-to-replace Zarma-Tour spikes further enhance their waterproof credentials.
Key specs – Sizes available: 8-10; Type: Spiked; Material: Premium ECCO Yak Leather; Colours available: White
4. Skechers Go Golf Pro V.4: The best golf shoes for comfort
Price: £149 | Buy now from Skechers
Skechers’ Go Golf Pro V.4 are just about the most comfortable pair of golf shoes that you can buy today. Just ask Matt Kuchar, American professional golfer and nine-time PGA tour winner, who helped to design the shoes and wears them out on the course himself.
Constructed from smooth full grain leather, the Go Golf V.4 feature a Resamax lightweight cushioned insole to ensure maximum comfort. The contoured sole of the shoe plays host to Softspikes, among the most used spikes on the professional circuit, to increase grip in wet conditions in particular. Importantly, the Go Golf Pro V.4 also benefit from Skechers’ own H2GO waterproof protection, so your comfort won’t be compromised even on the rainiest of days.
Key specs – Sizes available: 7-11; Type: Spiked; Material: Full grain leather; Colours available: White
5. Adidas CodeChaos: The best-looking golf shoes
Price: £130 (men’s); £120 (women’s) | Buy men’s | women’s from Adidas
Who said golf couldn’t be trendy? Adidas’s CodeChaos golf shoes would look equally at home at a nightclub as they would at your local golf club.
Available in four unique (and suitably bold) colours, these CodeChaos shoes have the production quality to match their distinctive aesthetic appeal. Crafted using a hybrid waterproof texture, the shoes feature INSITE sockliner and Fitfoam cushioning, as well as a hybrid spikeless outsole to provide excellent grip.
Key specs – Sizes available: 6.5-12; Type: Spikeless; Material: Waterproof hybrid textile; Colours available: Cloud White, Signal Green, Grey Three, Core Black
