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Really good golf shoes are the silent MVPs of golf equipment. You only notice them when something’s gone wrong.

The last thing you want to encounter at the outset of an epic golf trip is a blister because of ill-fitting or just shoddily made golf shoes. And while a truly excellent pair of high-quality golf socks can help make up for some imperfections, a great pair of golf shoes is essential to enjoying the game.

1. Feet matter more than eyes.
I can't tell you how many snazzy-looking pairs of golf shoes there are that just don't feel great when worn. Sometimes aesthetics and function marry up well, but it's relatively rare. I had a pair of the very first model of shoe that TRUE Linkswear made when I was in college, and their relatively unstructured look and wider toebox (essential for me because I have a wide foot) made my teammates call them clown shoes. I couldn't really refute that, but I also didn't really care - they were incredibly comfortable and I played well wearing them. I wore them until they fell apart and have never let unconventional looks put me off of an otherwise comfy and durable pair of spikes. --Tim Gavrich

2. You can be both team modern and team traditional.
I'm here to tell you there's no reason to choose sides in this great conundrum: Should I try to dress cool like the kids or go traditional like my age suggests? I toggle back and forth between both generations of golf shoes all the time. I like the modern sneaker look and feel of Olukai golf shoes and the playful colors of G/Fore, but next time you see me on the first tee I might be wearing the FootJoys. You should always have two pairs of golf shoes, so why not mix it up? -- Jason Scott Deegan

3. The not-so-great golf shoe debate:
"Spikeless" golf shoes have been around long enough that if they were ever going to, they would have displaced traditional cleated golf shoes by now. That hasn't happened, and I think it's because the treads on spikeless shoes are no less effective than status-quo golf shoes. Pros wear both kinds in major events (although some of them still cling to old-school metal spikes while the rest of us are effectively banned from using them), which tells me that past a certain point, good enough is good enough. If you like a pair of golf shoes, don't worry as much about the spikes. --Tim Gavrich

4. Spend the money ...
I just returned from Bandon Dunes, where I walked more than 35 miles playing more than 100 holes of golf. I never once worried about my feet because I had great waterproof shoes (ECCOS). My playing partner, who had never been on a golf trip before, tried one round with a poorly fitted pair that left him bloodied (a toe nail) and limping. He admitted one important note to self as we were flying home: "I've got to get better shoes." -- Jason Scott Deegan

5. Weight for it...
A lot of golf shoe brands use weight - specifically lightness - as a selling point. I'm straying into personal-opinion territory here but my experience with lightweight golf shoes has been inconclusive at best. For my swing, anyway, a solid base and sense of connection to the ground is important, and I feel a greater sense of stability when wearing more substantial golf shoes. I really wish I had taken better care of the pair of FootJoy Classics Tour golf shoes I had in college. They were heavy but they fit like a glove and I felt like I addressed the ball very well when wearing them. With lightweight, sneaker-like golf shoes, I'm often a little uneasy. Your mileage mat vary, but if you feel like you have happy feet (think Scottie Scheffler without the incredibly low scores), your golf shoes might be too light. --Tim Gavrich

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If you've browsed golf shoes in stores or online in recent years, you've likely noticed the proliferation of models with little plastic knobs placed somewhere on the shoe. These thingamabobs are evidence of some sort of alternative shoe-lacing system, where cords inside the body of the shoe are anchored to the shoe's upper material and, at the turn of a knob, can be tightened around your foot until you are comfortable.

The most popular of these lacing systems is the BOA Fit System, which currently features in models across five golf shoe brands: FootJoy, ECCO, adidas, Asics and New Balance. The BOA Fit System originated as a feature of ski boots but has been incorporated into work boots, cycling and running shoes and, yes, golf shoes. The contention from the BOA Fit System is that the more comprehensive and even tightening that their approach offers is superior to traditional laces, which exert pressure downward from the middle of the foot, leading to fatigue and potential foot injuries. As someone with wide feet, I have found that golf shoes equipped with the BOA Fit System fit my feet a bit better than even properly sized, traditionally laced shoes. The slight premium (usually between $10 and $20) attached to the BOA Fit System of a given shoe model feels well worth it to us. --Tim Gavrich

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This golf shoe has an honored place in my gear repertoire: my travel bag. It's the pair I take with me on trips because I know it's the only one I'll need in the overwhelming majority of cases. It's waterproof, and will be for years, equipped with a GORE-TEX lining that pairs well with ECCO's yak leather upper material. ECCO's snug heel and wider toebox construction works well with my feet, and the easy adjustability of fit with the BOA Fit System ties (so to speak) everything together. I anticipate many happy, dry rounds in these shoes. From $182. --Tim Gavrich

With decades of experience making great golf shoes and a very extensive catalogue, FootJoy may be considered a "safe" brand to some fashion-conscious golfers, but they've almost never let me down, in large part because they're one of the only brands that bothers to make wide sizes. Their PRO/SL shoes have been favored by touring pros for years, and the latest iteration is also impressive, though I've noticed it's slightly chunkier overall, evidently influenced by highly cushioned shoe brands like HOKA and On Clouds. FootJoy's BOA knob is at the heel of the shoe, which makes it very easy to tell how much to tighten it for optimal fit. $170. --Tim Gavrich

It's tough to break in big among golf shoe brands as a relative newcomer, but Payntr is well on its way. Founded in 2019 by two long-time golf footwear experts, its offerings hew towards sneaker-inspired designs with technology like carbon fiber infused into the Eighty Seven SC for stability and weight-saving purposes. PGA Tour player Jason Day, whose apparel partnership with Malbon Golf has generated plenty of online buzz, has a financial stake in Payntr, giving it a measure of tour-pro credibility that eludes other brands. I've loved the Eighty Sevens in large part because Payntr actually makes them in Wide sizes. $220. --Tim Gavrich

The BOA Fit System has become a favorite of mine whenever it's offered. The BOA Li2 dial provides what feels like a customized fit. The knob is located on the side of the shoe, adding a unique look to the traditional Adidas three stripes. The return of the Adizero franchise in 2025 introduced some new features. A new DYNAMIC TORSION BAR is designed to offer more efficiency and snap back in the forefoot providing more spring and swing efficiency. $200 - Jason Scott Deegan

"Barefoot shoes" have been popular with runners and hikers for years, and they're starting to go mainstream. Xero doesn't make any golf-specific shoes but I have worn their new Ridgeway Low model for a couple of rounds and like the feeling of connection to the ground that their thin but sturdy zero-drop sole provides. It's made me start to question whether big, snug golf shoes are really best. The Ridgeway bills itself as a "hiking shoe" - what is golf if not an oft-interrupted hike? $119.99. --Tim Gavrich

Discovering a new brand of golf shoe you've never worn is always a revelation: There's just so many good options out there. We had never reviewed Under Armour's line of golf shoes until the Drive Fade Golf Shoes, which are new in 2025.  They're durable, breathable and comfortable. A molded sockliner offers enhanced fit and comfort. The new UA S3 spikes—designed with Softspikes® & a golf biomechanist - are touted to provide for additional traction. $129.95 - Jason Scott Deegan

The good news for big feet folks is SQUAIRZ launched in fall 2024 a wide-foot version of multiple styles, including the VELO, a great looking blue and white shoe. SQUAIRZ offers sizing advice on its website if you're uncertain what to wear, noting "If you wear FootJoy, Skechers, Puma, or New Balance, order your usual size. If you wear Adidas, Nike, or Ecco, order a half size down." $200-$220 - Jason Scott Deegan

Hiking shoes, golf shoes...what's the difference? Not much, in my view, which is why. this waterproof offering from Merrell is one of my go-to golf shoes. Various colorways and even wide sizes round out a very nice offering, $170.

I had one vendor at the 2024 PGA Merchandise Show tell me that G/Fore deserves most of the credit for the trend of bold colors in all golf fashions from shoes to sunglasses. High praise indeed. The Gallivan2r look traditional with the white top, but then light up in disco mode with eight colorful variations down below. The shoes are lightweight, durable and waterproof. A pod-system for its cleats, called G/POD, ensures good traction, even in wet conditions. Two other limited editions, wide-sizing (launched in April) and women’s styles (launched in May as part of the Mother’s Day capsule collection) add even more variety. $175. The G.112 Street Shoe are even funkier in how color is integrated into the design. $225 - Jason Scott Deegan

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July 27, 2018

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