Why did the golfer need to buy new golf shoes? He got a hole in one! Between the goofy looking pants and the spiked saddle shoes, many people might think “golf” stands for “Go Out Looking Funny”. The modern golfer is more likely to wear plain slacks than the so loud it’s screaming knickers but the spiked shoes are still around.
Many modern shoe manufacturers are backing away from the old-fashioned saddle shoes and making them look more like typical athletic wear. It’s a question as to whether golf shoes are really of any use on the course.
What Is The Point Of Golf Shoes?
Golf shoes are engineered specifically to offer players balance, stability, and flexibility during the singular motion of a golf swing. Should the player slip or slide in the middle of the swing action, it would be very difficult to make adequate contact with the golf ball which would make it very hard to produce decent shots.
Do Golf Shoes Make A Difference?
Sneakers might be alright for a casual trip to the range. However, when you get to the real greens, it’ll be time to put on some real golf shoes. They have more flexibility, a sturdier foundation, and adaptability on all terrains when compared to other ordinary athletic shoes.
Do You Need Golf Shoes?
A few high-end country clubs and luxury courses may require them, but they’re optional on most courses. Even with that aside, the shoes can improve your golf swing. It’s for the same reason you need tires with a good treat should you ever need to turn sharply on a wet road. The spikes on the golf shoes grip the turf and support your weight transfer and body rotation as you go through the swing.
What Makes A Good Golf Shoe?
Breathability is a vital trait to look for. Not only do you want your feet to be dry and comfortable but allowing air circulation aids in keeping your feet cool. This also intercepts the growth of fungus and bad odor that is often caused by sweaty feet.
How Should Golf Shoes Fit?
No matter how good looking your shoes are, no matter how many technological bells and whistles they have, if they don’t fit well, they are bupkis. Here are the details you should be looking at when shopping for golf shoes:
- Lacing: There should be about five-eighths of an inch between the top eyelets with your shoes tied. A good deal of space indicates that the shoes are simply too narrow. A small amount of space means that they’re likely too wide.
- Forefoot appearance: The area of the shoe between the toe and laces must be smooth. It should not be bunched up or rippled when tied. A rippled look indicates that there is too much space inside the shoe.
- Secure heel and forefoot: You should walk around in the shoes before you buy them to see if your heel and forefoot move around. If they do, you will find that you don’t have much stability when swinging and you run the chance of getting blisters.
- Snug mid-foot feel: You do not want an extremely tight fit. However, golf shoes must be just snug enough to guard against too much movement during your swing.
- Room around the toes: If you are not able to wiggle your toes, the shoes are too little. A standard rule for buying shoes, in general, is that there must be around a half-inch of space between the end of your big toe and the tip of the shoe.
Can Golf Shoes Affect Your Swing?
The spikes on many golf shoes keep the golfer’s stance from becoming affected by wet ground or uneven terrain. The truth is, spiked golf shoes can increase the consistency and distance of your swing. Now, there are some people who just don’t like spiked shoes.
Fortunately, spikeless golf shoes are not any less useful. They are not only just as sturdy and comfortable, but many golf courses actually make it a requirement for players to use them. If you are concerned about losing traction, maybe think about getting shoes that feature detachable twist spikes that you only use on tricky surfaces.
Spiked Vs. Spikeless Golf Shoes
This can be a bit tricky to weigh in on. Both choices have their pros and cons.
On the plus side, spiked shoes:
- Have greater traction, particularly in damp conditions.
- Are more durable.
- Have more lateral stability.
- provide a locked-in feel that can improve one’s swing.
However, on the negative side, spiked shoes:
- Are not very comfortable.
- Are not very versatile.
- Cause an elevated feel that can make some golfers uncomfortable.
- Are somewhat on the heavy side.
- Are kind of pricy.
On the plus side, spikeless shoes:
- Are very comfortable.
- Can be worn on and off the course.
- Provide more of a grounded feel.
- Are more lightweight.
- Are developing technology for better traction.
However, on the negative side, spikeless shoes:
- Are a bit lacking in traction.
- Wear out too easily.
Why Do Golf Shoes Have Spikes?
The cleats on spiked golf shoes are made to grip the ground. This will keep your feet from slipping as you swing. In contrast, spikeless shoes have ingrained patterns in lieu of spikes. They sometimes come with small studs to aid in creating grip.
Do Pros Wear Spiked Or Spikeless Golf Shoes?
The majority of them wear spiked shoes, but many of the top golfers are going spikeless. Grant Knudson, head of footwear and accessories at Puma Golf, is of the opinion that it’s going towards a half and half split.
Fred “Boom Boom” Couples, fifteen-time winner of the PGA Tour, prefers spikeless himself. Golf shoes have come quite a long way from nails hammered into leather soles to cope with the damp Scottish moors.
How To Remove Spikes From Golf Shoes?
First, rub the spikes using the brush end of a golf cleaning tool to get rid of all of the caked-on mud. If you do not have access to a cleaning tool, utilize a wire brush or any stiff-bristled brush. If the mud is too hard, you can dampen it with a sponge to get it good and soft first.
Next, grip the spike with a set of pliers. Needle-nosed pliers work just as well as larger pliers in this situation. If your spikes are made out of metal, pinch the metal spike itself. If the spikes are plastic, lay a pair of needle-nosed pliers across the spike in such a way that you are gripping two of the spikes.
You can then turn the pliers counterclockwise in order to unscrew the spike from the shoe. Should the pliers lose their grip, just grab ahold of the spike once more. Keep doing this until you have taken out all of the spikes that are in need of replacement.
Do Golf Shoes Need To Be Waterproof?
Course conditions can get quite damp even if you are not playing out in the rain because there is often dew on the grass at sunrise and more dew at sunset. You might want to think about using shoes with waterproof guarantees, depending on what kind of conditions you play in.
There are waterproofing sprays that you can use if you do not think your shoes are waterproof enough to start with. You may want to use different types of golf shoes for different conditions. Spikeless shoes are good for hot afternoons.
Can You Wash Golf Shoes?
Some golf shoes are machine washable, but you might want to check the care tag first just to be sure. If you can, the first thing you need to do is get rid of any fresh or dried dirt by the use of an old toothbrush. Next, you should remove the laces and put everything inside the machine.
Along with the laundry detergent, you can add half a cup of baking soda in order to get rid of any bad odors. Turn on the machine as per the care instructions and kick back and wait until it’s over with.
Take the shoes out and put paper towels or newspaper inside of each shoe. This will aid them in keeping their shape while drying. Let the laces and the shoes both dry. After they are totally dry, you can lace up the shoes.
Top Golf Shoe Brands
Skechers are comfortable and lightweight. They are also less expensive than most brands. Footjoy lives up to its name. It’s comfortable, versatile, and available in a variety of colorways. Adidas counts golf among the sports it makes shoes for. They are a versatile shoe that can be worn anywhere.
Nike, of course, is a favorite among the pros who frequently sport the swoosh. They are indeed a leader in the world of athletic footwear. Ecco is good if you want your shoes to be waterproof. They are also lightweight and durable.
Can You Wear Golf Shoes As Regular Shoes?
Spiked shoes are not good for wearing anywhere but the golf course. However, spikeless golf shoes can be worn anywhere. They are comfortable and soft yet quite durable. They can be worn as normal shoes in nearly any condition.
Best Substitute For Golf Shoes
If you don’t have any golf shoes you can wear running shoes or sneakers that have a good grip for better traction. Most courses do not want players wearing metal spikes as they can tear up the terrain. Boots, street shoes, and sandals are also frowned on.
How Long Do Golf Shoes Last?
If only used for golf, they can last anywhere from three to five years. If you wear your spikeless shoes everywhere, they may only last a year or two. They are durable but not indestructible.
How Often Should You Get New Golf Shoes?
If you clean your shoes after each round and store them properly, they should last a very long time. If you feel off-balance while doing your swing, the shoes could be the problem. If you feel that your shoes don’t have the traction they used to, it could be time to get new ones.
Are Golf Shoes Worth It?
If you’re just going to putt a few balls around, a good pair of sneakers will do, if the course allows it. However, if you really want to get serious about your game, a pair of sturdy golf shoes may be what you need. They help you get good footing so you don’t slip around while trying to hit the ball.
Conclusion
First, apologies for the Kindergarten joke I opened with. (The punchline was “You should’ve bought a hat.”) A good pair of golf shoes is no joke, however. The old spikey cleat type shoes are going the way of checkered knickers. The unspiked or soft spikes are the new wave. If it can give you the traction you need without tearing up the grass, go for it.
References:
- https://golf.com/gear/shoes/golf-shoes
- https://golfingfocus.com/are-golf-shoes-worth-it
- https://onestrokegolf.com/golf-shoes-for-beginners
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- https://www.golflocker.com/why-you-need-golf-shoes
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- https://www.golfalot.com/equipment-news/spiked-v-spikeless-golf-shoes-in-72-hole-challenge-4313.aspx