Men's Golf Shoes

This can depend on your golf clubhouse because each establishment will have its own variation of dress code. If you’re a player who is just starting out and you’re still finding your feet, then some clubhouses will allow shoes like men’s golf trainers, running shoes or clean, well-gripped trainers with soles of hard plastic or rubber. However, some clubhouses will gently insist you wear proper golf shoes, so if you’re playing more and more and are starting to fall in love with the game, we’d recommend investing in a good beginner’s pair of golf shoes. Boots, sandals, flip flops, and fashion trainers are a no-go, though.

Golf shoes are a sports shoe that are specifically designed to aid the player in their golf game. Golf shoes typically have wide rubber soles to aid in balance and stability whilst swinging your clubs. If you think about how much force and momentum a good swing can and does use, especially when using your drivers and teeing off, then you’ll know how important a sturdy foundation like a flat rubber sole is. Golf shoes can either be Spiked, have moulded grip soles, be cleated, or Spikeless. Some courses don’t like players to wear spiked golf shoes because they pull up the green, but options like gripped outsoles give you the best of both worlds in both grip and stability during all weather conditions.

Golf shoes also incorporate stabilisers built into the arches which slide on each swing. This is so that when you take a shot and shift your weight, or even if the momentum carries you through your hips and shoulders, the stabilisers can help keep your stance firm and supported. Golf shoes also tend to have more padding for the feet, as when you’ve set aside plenty of time to play 12 to 18 holes, you’re going to be on your feet a lot. They’re designed to keep the player comfortable, and naturally this means cushioning the foot properly for those long days on the green.

For coming and going from the clubhouse, you’ll probably want to change into your smart shoes or trainers instead of your playing golf shoes. This also means you can clean them properly, because you’ll have your back-up pair of golf trainers to wear post-game.

Waterproof golf shoes still need cleaning to keep them performing at their optimum. After playing a wet game, take a towel and wipe the excess water from the surface immediately after you’re done and before you take the shoes home to clean them properly. When you’re home, use a soft bristled brush to remove dirt and grass, especially around the grooves in the soles.

Then, use a waterproof shoe cleaner or sealant on the surface of the shoes, rubbing it in with a rag, and leave them to air dry. Taking proper care of your waterproof golf shoes means they could last longer than if you otherwise didn’t, and they won’t need replacing as regularly. If your golf shoe is made out of predominantly a leather outer sole, then looking after the material and keeping it soft will avoid any risk of the shoe cracking and thus leading to an entry point for water to get in.

Generally speaking, golf shoes fit the same as your regular shoes, so if you’re a size 10 you’ll want to be trying on a size 10 golf shoe. However, this isn’t to say that all sizings are universal between every brand and model, because Footjoy Golf Shoes will be different to adidas Golf Shoes, which in turn will be sized differently to Nike golf shoes, and so on. Each brand uses different materials and different sizing specs, just like your regular shoes and trainers, so whilst you can expect to be looking around the same size as you’d typically be shopping for, be prepared to try on different shoes at different sizes, widths, and shapes.

Taking care of your golf shoes extends their lifespan with you, meaning you won’t have to invest in another pair as soon as you’d have to if you just took them off and put them away. You should clean your shoes at the conclusion of every game, taking care to remove all mud and grass from the soles. Take special care around your spikes, cleats, or grooves in the soles.

If they get wet on the course and you don’t have waterproof shoes or you haven’t applied a waterproofing treatment, you need to dry them off as efficiently as possible. Towel dry the outside and then place crumpled newspaper inside the golf shoes to soak up excess moisture. Leave the newspaper in them overnight or for around 8 hours, until they feel suitably dry.

If you have men’s leather golf shoes, make sure you clean them after every round. For synthetic or leather uppers, the appropriate cleaning solution should be used – for example, your brand of golf shoe might have their own cleaning solutions. Leather and synthetic uppers can be wiped clean with a gentle soap and water. Leather soles should also be cleaned and maintained with leather oil to keep them supple.

Men’s white golf shoes need a little extra love to keep them crisp. After you’ve cleaned them and when they’re completely dry, apply a white shoe crème to remove scuff marks and to keep the leather nice and healthy. Similarly, men’s black golf shoes will also need a darker shoe crème to maintain their leather and look.

The most important thing to remember is not to pack away your shoes post-cleaning. Putting them back in their box, shoe bag, or wardrobe whilst they’re still drying can lead to the material breaking down over time. Let them air dry in an open space and then back them away, with their shoetree in place once they’re touch-dry.

When you store your men’s golf shoes, use a shoehorn when putting on your golf shoes. This will protect the heel from creasing and bending as you put them on. Similarly, when you store them, use a shoe tree to help the material, be it leather or fabric, retain its shape.