How To Shop For Golf Shoes (Do’s and Don’ts)

Finding the perfect pair of golf shoes can feel more daunting than a 200-yard par-3 over water. But it doesn’t have to be.

I’ll sum it up very quickly: if you follow my advice, I promise you’ll find a pair of shoes that works for you. At the end, I’ll also share some of my favorites (you won’t necessarily agree with all of them). Use this guide as a jumping-off point on your quest to find the shoe that fits you best.

Do: Shop in-store

With the rise of Amazon and other online retailers, heading to an actual brick-and-mortar store can feel archaic at times. That said, it’s the best way to shop for golf shoes. There is simply no substitute for being able to touch, see, feel and, most importantly, try on the shoes you’re looking to purchase.

Unless your favorite online shop has a liberal return policy, it’s best to go somewhere in person to make sure the shoes fit. The reality is that shoe sizing is inconsistent. Brand to brand, and even within one single brand, shoes fit differently. Make sure you try before you buy.

Don’t: Stick with one brand

I know you’re tempted to just stay with your favorite brand. I get it. I’m that way, too. When you find something you like, you stick with it.

You could be missing out on your next favorite pair of kicks. If you’re a FootJoy guy, try a PUMA or Sun Day Red. If you’ve always worn ECCO, maybe give Under Armour or adidas a go.

In any case, don’t be afraid to experiment and get outside of your norm. You never know what you’re missing out on!

Do: Set a budget

It’s important that you determine a budget before you start your golf shoe shopping journey. The nice thing is that no matter if you want to spend $75 or $175, there are plenty of options.

Hint: If you’re looking for the best budget golf shoes of 2024, you need to check out the Skechers Go Golf Max 3 and Go Golf Sport Torque 2.

Don’t: Worry about materials

It can be tempting to stick to tried-and-true leather golf shoes but the reality is that modern synthetic materials offer the same performance benefits, often in a lighter or more economical package. Real leather is nice, sure, but it’s not the end-all, be-all.

When in doubt, just go with your personal preference. Just know that in the battle of real, raw materials versus synthetics, there isn’t much of a performance difference.

Do: Acknowledge the trade-offs between spiked and spikeless

Think traction is the only difference between spiked and spikeless golf shoes? Think again.

As a general rule of thumb, spikeless shoes are more comfortable, flexible and lighter. On the flipside, spiked shoes are generally more stable, rigid and a little less comfortable (with better traction).

There are exceptions to every rule but spiked and spikeless shoes more often than not feature these performance characteristics.