Golf Shoe 101: Intro to Golf Shoes

How often do you think about golf shoes? I’m willing to be that the answer is “not enough.”

Look, I’m not suggesting you should obsess over golf shoes like I do. But you should put more thought into your choice in golf footwear.

Let me explain.

Golf shoes are more important than you know. They are, of course, one of the few pieces of equipment you use on every shot. Every shot, every hill, every putt can be made easier or harder due to your golf shoes.

Picking up what I’m putting down? Golf shoes are important. Understanding the nuances of golf shoes (and product architecture) will improve your game. Welcome to Golf Shoe 101. In this piece, we’ll walk through the different types of golf shoes and give you some tips on where to buy them.

Line Architecture

When you look at golf shoes, there are two main categories: performance and lifestyle. Within each of these categories, shoes are broken down into spikeless and spiked, although you probably don’t need much of a lesson on that. Most golf shoe manufacturers produce shoes that fall into either the performance or lifestyle categories. Some, understandably, produce shoes in the middle of that categorical Venn diagram.

Understanding the nuances of each is important as you consider what golf shoe is the right fit for your game.

Performance Golf Shoes

A performance golf shoe is exactly what it sounds like. This category is centered on performance. Looks, style and even budget sometimes take a backseat to performance attributes like traction, stability, comfort and waterproofness.

Performance golf shoes are typically what you’ll see on the feet of the best players in the world (although, it’s not a total wash). Examples of popular performance golf shoes include the FootJoy Premiere series, adidas TOUR360 and Under Armour Drive Pro.

Lifestyle Golf Shoes

On the flip side, lifestyle golf shoes are really casual shoes that moonlight as golf shoes. These shoes often focus on style and looks rather than performance. Most every brand has a lifestyle shoe in their lineup. The weekend warrior golfer tends to gravitate towards this sort of thing.

Some popular examples of lifestyle golf shoes are the Jordan 1 Low G, PUMA Slipstream G, New Balance 997G and adidas Ultraboost Golf.

Spiked Versus Spikeless

Spiked shoes features “soft” spikes or cleats. They generally offer better traction, especially in wet conditions. Spikeless shoes lack these cleats and feature a serious of lugs (often made of rubber or TPU) to provide traction.

It’s important to note that most consumers find spikeless golf shoes to be more comfortable while spiked golf shoes are often thought to be better performers. This is, however, not always the case. It’s important to try before you buy where at all possible.

Which brings me to my next point. Where should I shop for golf shoes?

Now that you understand the different kinds of golf shoes, you’re ready to make a purchase. Here are a few places you can shop for golf shoes.

Golf Galaxy

Golf Galaxy is the leader in golf footwear. The reason I love shopping at Golf Galaxy is that they have a fantastic selection of lifestyle and performance golf shoes. I actually waited in line at a Golf Galaxy for my first-ever pair of Jordan golf shoes a few years back.

Golf Galaxy offers the best selection of shoes from your favorite brands like NIKE, Jordan, G/FORE, FootJoy, Under Armour and PUMA. Whether you’re looking for something that’s primed to perform or just want to win the “best dressed” superlative at your local golf club, Golf Galaxy has you covered.

Discount Clothing Stores (Ross, Marshalls, etc.)

My favorite places to shop for golf shoes are Ross and Marshalls. This big-box discount stores often offer great prices on last year’s golf gear. I recently did an entire piece on this exact subject. The thing to remember is that Ross and Marshalls often sell B-grade stuff (shoes with cosmetic defects or factory flaws).

You won’t always find what you’re looking for but the prices are often much less than other retailers.

Golf Shoe Tips and Tricks

• Buy in-store where possible. Shoe sizing can be inconsistent across brands so make sure you try on before you buy.
• Determine your golf shoe non-negotiables. Write down a list of what you need and want from a golf shoe. Then use this list to work with a shoe expert at a place like Golf Galaxy to find the right fit for your game.
• Nail down your budget. Once you know how much you have to spend on a golf shoe, it’s much easier to find something that fits within your means.
• Consider climate and terrain. Play in a place where it’s often wet and muddy? Maybe you only play in the driest of deserts. Consider the climate and terrain of your home course (and anywhere else you play) to help you find the best golf shoe.