Golf Shoes Buying Guide - How to Buy Golf Shoes

• Spikes
  Golf Shoes may either have the standard one-and-a-half inch spikes or small, plastic nubs. Plastic nubbed shoes don't give as much support as the spikes but are more comfortable in walking. Metal Spikes used to be the standard but they do considerable damage to the green so many clubs have actually outlawed metal spikes. Softspikes are made of plastic or have rubber nipples or swirls. Soft Spikes wear out sooner than metal spikes requiring you to check and replace them after extended usage. Unless you have a specific preference for a certain type of spikes or spike configuration we would recommend going for soft spikes that evenly configured on the ball and heel of the golf shoe.


• Lining and Padding
  Golf is not a sport that places great strains on your feet or ankles. It is nothing like Hiking or Trail Running. Still Golf generally involves a lot of walking and the weight and pressure shifts on your feet during your swing can cause chafing and pressure points on your feet. Golf Shoes should have enough padding to keep your feet well protected and comfortable.


• Waterproof & Breathable
  Moisture causes discomfort and blisters. Moisture can come from the outside in the form of rain or puddles and from the inside in the form of sweat. In the best case scenario your golf shoes would be waterproof for outside moisture while at the same be breathable and allow moisture from your feet to exit the shoe. For much more information on the combination of Waterproof and Breathable footwear we refer you to our Hiking website and our section on Hiking Boots.


• Snug Fit
  Shoes for outdoor and sports activities perform their functions best when there is a good snug fit. The shoe should wrap itself around your feet keeping a snug fit all-over. The thing you want to prevent most are pressure points. Pressure Points are single points of contact where the pressure on your foot are bigger than the surrounding areas. When fitting shoes check for pressure points. Again, for much more information on fitting shoes and finding the perfect snug fit go to our Hiking website and read our Hiking Boots Buying Guide. We also have an International Boot Sizes Chart.


• Special Golf Shoes for Women and Kids
  The majority of the Golf Shoes on the market today are still targetted for adult men. More and more manufacturers, however, are coming out with more and more golf shoes designed for woman and children. Women have feet that have different proportions than men so we definitely recommend looking for special women golf shoes if you are a woman.