The breadth of choice on the golf shoes market has never been greater with all the main players in the game competing for your attention, and ultimately your money in exchange for a pair of their best golf shoes.
From the firmest of fairways in the summer, to the wettest, rain-soaked tracks in the winter, securing a solid stance for your swing, while providing a comfortable walk in between shots is asking quite a lot for one solitary pair of shoes.
That’s why ensuring your new golf shoes can tick multiple boxes in the functionality department is key to achieving the biggest bang for your buck. Luckily all the top brands are innovating to create comfortable, breathable, grippy, lightweight, and stylish golf shoes.
Here is our pick of the top five:
#1. FootJoy HyperFlex Carbon Golf Shoes – $200 / £190 RRP
The HyperFlex is a comfortable trainer-style model but it still has the benefits of a year-round shoe. It has a 100% waterproof knit upper that is breathable, comfortable, and, vitally, has a stain-protected, easy-to-clean upper. Hyperflex sees FootJoy take the use of carbon fiber to another level, developing a power plate on the sole to help golfers with stability and ground leverage. A padded heel adds comfort and support, and the knitted bootie is integrated into a thermoplastic wrap to help control lateral movement throughout the swing.
#2. Ecco S-Three Golf Shoes – $220 / £195 RRP
We rate this as one of the best spikeless golf shoes out there and Ecco goes the extra mile when it comes to comfort and style. The S-Three’s midsole uses Zonal Fluidform technology to create different levels of softness across the foot, delivering cushioning for walking, and lateral stability for swinging. All Ecco golf shoes feature a soft and durable leather Gore-Tex upper which is breathable and 100% waterproof. The S-Three also comes in six colorways making it a great stylish high-performance shoe.
#3. Adidas ZG23 Golf Shoes – $200 / £160
The ZG23 are remarkably light golf shoes that push the boundaries of how lightweight footwear can perform. This hybrid shoe combines a recycled upper, with a Lightstrike midsole for maximum cushioning and energy return and is brought together with a six-cleat Traxion outsole designed to make you feel closer to the ground and help with weight transfer through the swing. The ZG23 also has 3D cradles down the side for lateral stability during the golf swing. All that you’d expect from a premium-priced shoe that is worn by some of the world’s best players, it’s also fully waterproof.
#4. Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 Golf Shoes – $205 / £180 RRP
From every angle, this is a striking piece of footwear. Visually the Victory Tour 3 looks the part and is super comfortable and supportive thanks to the foam heel delivering a soft smooth ride. The old-school look with a few vibrant colors will really set your outfit off and have your playing partners jealous on the 1st tee. Partnering with superb traction from the new Tour Flex Pro Softspikes, you have a shoe that’s perfect for practice or a trip to the course. Unquestionably, you will get a smooth ride here from a shoe that is very waterproof.
#5. Payntr X 002 Golf Shoes – $190 / £150 RRP
The 002 looks great out of the box and even better on foot. Its full-grain leather upper looks the part and is water-resistant and super supportive, and the Dual Density PMX Foam Midsole adds a spring to your step with maximum energy return. Payntr’s Neverwet skin is impenetrable, even in the worst weather. Rob Jerram, the Today’s Golfer digital editor, is a massive fan too. Despite having access to a host of big-name models, he’s chosen to wear them for more than 50 rounds.
How to choose golf shoes
The best golf shoes must combine functionality, versatility and performance whilst looking the part and fitting your budget. It’s no mean feat, but here are some of the non-negotiables in our opinion.
Comfort – rounds of golf last in excess of four hours and throughout that time you will be crossing different terrains and contours. Your shoes should feel soft and spongy underfoot while providing the strong ankle support required to swing confidently, even when faced with shots on sloped lies. Always try them on to ensure a correct fit first.
Stability – spiked golf shoes provide better traction, however, many of the best spikeless shoes today are proving almost as grippy thanks to advances in technology. Consider your usual playing conditions and course requirements before deciding on the most appropriate level of stability.
Waterproofing – No one enjoys playing in a downpour, but sometimes it’s unavoidable, and courses can still be saturated with water after spells of heavy rain. Ensuring a good level of waterproofing, as demonstrated by our top five models here is a must.
