Best Spikeless Golf Shoes In 2022

How We Chose Our Selection of Spikeless Golf Shoes

We didn’t get the chance to try them out on the local course (and if we had done, we’d have played so much golf we may never want to play it again), so instead we relied on other factors when making our selection.

Brand - We always look for the best brands in any industry to suggest to you, but this isn’t as always as finding those brands which everybody and their grandmother knows. Sometimes, the best brands are not what you’d expect, and while there’s a lot of the usual suspects here, there’s also a few we think may surprise you, just as they did us.

It’s all down to research and discovering what sets brands apart from each other. Doing this helps us find the brands we know we can trust and are sure you can trust, too.

Reviews - Part of finding the right spikeless golf shoes for men involves looking over thousands of reviews which give us a great idea of how awesome (or not so awesome) any one product is. These reviews come with a plethora of little nuggets of wisdom we would never have thought of and allow us to make the best selection we can.

Without reviews, we wouldn’t know the intricate details regarding comfort, water resistance, support, and traction. It’s fine for the brand to tell us how amazing their shoes are - it’d be weird if they didn’t - but reviews from good, honest, experienced golfers who’ve worn their fair share of golf shoes, spikeless or not, is even better.

Price - Many look at golf as an elite game. It doesn’t help that it seems to be the go-to game of the richest people, nor does it help that golf accessories, from clubs to gloves to memberships require a considerable outlay.

We don’t think anyone should be excluded, regardless of budget, and we kept this in mind when making our selection. It’s still golf attire, so you can’t expect true bargains (at least not with the necessary quality) but there’s at least a wide enough range of prices to give every budget a chance to find the right spikeless shoes for them.

Features To Look For In Spikeless Golf Shoes

While most golf shoes will have basic features as standard, everyone’s golf shoe needs are different. You might need a better balance, better breathability, or better lug support, so keep in mind these features when looking for a new pair to find the design that’s most likely to improve your game and make golf just a smidge more enjoyable for you.

Spikeless Vs Spikes - Spiked shoes will perhaps provide you a little more traction on wet surfaces and slopes, but the cleats on them will need replacing when they wear out or break. You don’t have to do this with spikeless, as the studs or dimples are molded into the sole. Spiked shoes are typically better for beginners, as they provide better support and traction on all surfaces.

While you may be loyal to spiked shoes, spikeless shoes are becoming ever more advanced so that there is hardly any discrepancy between the two types. One benefit of spikeless shoes is that they are more flexible and have better ground feel compared to spiked shoes. They are also more lightweight, as the weight of the metal spikes won’t be present.

Your choice should also depend on the type, of course, you’re likely to play the most on. If your home course is dry, then spikeless shoes are more suitable.

You may also be concerned about whether spikeless shoes are too casual, especially on more exclusive courses. This isn’t something to worry about, as there are many different styles of spikeless golf shoe for you to find the appropriate requirements. If you are unsure, go by whatever the dress code demands.

But we’re not here to convince you either way, and both have the benefits and their disadvantages. These are usually individual, though, and you should go with whatever best works for you.

Breathability - Even though you’re only walking around a golf course for a few hours - not the most arduous nor intense workout of your life - you still need shoes which are sufficiently breathable. This keeps your feet fresh and prevents discomfort them from overheating, which is a potential disadvantage trying to enjoy (and win, but more importantly enjoy) a good, friendly game of golf.

Balance - Unless you want to follow your ball into the fairway, you should find shoes that offer you the correct balance. This is beneficial for your swing, as excellent balance keeps you grounded and unlikely to topple from your position. This design works in tandem with the lugs (more on those below) to provide a stable, secure swing.

If you don’t know where to start, we can tell you shoes with low drops are best for providing the correct balance as they keep you closer to the ground.

Consider Your Arches - Your lateral arches are an often neglected part of golf, so it’s good to consider your arches when looking for golf shoes. Shoes with proper arch support will be better for you by the end of the game and won’t cause as much strain to the lateral arch and additional two arch areas (medial and transverse arches), which means you won’t wake up in pain the next day, and may even be able to play for longer, although, we’re not sure we’ve ever heard anyone wish they can play golf for longer.

Lugs - Lugs are the part of the outsole which does the same job spikes would on spiked golf shoes, however unlike the removable cleats of the traditional golf shoe, they are molded in. these molded lugs are smaller than what you’d expect from metal cleats, and therefore don’t offer as much traction, but for most of you, unless you’re on a particularly slippery course, won’t tell the difference.

Comfort - Who’d have thought comfort would be a factor in a game you’re on your feet the entire time? The average golf game takes around 4 hours, so it’s not rocket science why you’d need your shoes to be comfortable.

The best shoes for comfort are those with foam outsoles as they provide the necessary cushioning to prevent aches and pains and are easier on your feet, especially if you play on a long or more hilly course.

Spikeless Golf Shoes FAQ

Q: Do Spikeless Golf Shoes Wear Out?

A: Like all rubber-soled shoes, your spikeless golf shoes will wear out. However, unless you wear your shoes frequently off the course, they should last long enough, and the rest of the shoe might fall apart first (we hope not, though).

The better care you take of them, the longer they will last. Try to stick to soft, pliable surfaces as often as possible to keep the lugs are as effective as possible, as once they wear down you’ll need to buy a new pair.

Q: Do You Need Spikes On Golf Shoes?

A: Yes, otherwise you won’t get the traction necessary with every swing. You can choose either spiked or spikeless, but most courses now prefer spikeless to better maintain the greens and fairway.

Q: Are Spikeless Golf Shoes Waterproof?

A: The waterproofness of your spikeless golf shoes will depend on the brand and style you purchase. Some spikeless golf shoes are waterproof, but others are not. There’s also those which are waterproof for an up to 2 years (maybe more with extra-special care) but not permanently. Others are water-resistant, but not entirely waterproof as in the case of leather polyester hybrid shoes.

Leather and leather hybrids are the best shoes for waterproofness, but may also cost more money. Depending on where you live, you may not need to think about water-resistance at all. This is true if you live in an area where the sun is a fixture all year-round unless you plan on taking a tour around somewhere a little wetter. Those less fortunate who can hardly remember what a round of golf on a sunny day is like may have other ideas, though.

Q: What Is Proper Golf Attire?

A: Proper golf attire can be split into your clothes and your accessories. If you want to look like a pro to compensate for your maybe-not-so-pro abilities then investing in the right attire is the best place to start.

Shirt - Your golf shirt should be a plain shirt with a collar, you can’t get away with tank tops and t-shirts, or anything you wouldn’t deem semi-formal.

Pants - Pants should be long, made of cotton or polyester and shorts of the same material are also permitted, but sweat pants, jeans, and athletic shorts are not.

Shoes - Spiked or spikeless, whichever you prefer, just no soccer cleats, dress shoes, or boots. There’s no specific color recommendation, so if you want to show off your personality with sunflower-yellow shoes, you can.

Of course, it goes without saying you should wear socks with your golf shoes. Unless that is, you decide to invest in a pair of golf sandals, which are exactly what they sound like and, much like regular sandals, do not require you to wear socks with them, so suppress your inner British tourist with that.

Glove - Yes, glove, not gloves. You only need one glove for golf. Why? Because the old masters said so, that’s why. You wear a golf glove to help you properly grip the club. The abrasive material, tougher than skin, prevents the club twisting in your hand and making you scuff the shot. Most gloves also have a pop-button on them which you can use to mark where your ball is on the green if potentially obstructing another.

Other attire options include hats, if necessary. You won’t always need a hat, but it’s useful to know you’re unlikely to break any dress codes should you require such as on a sunny day or particularly chilly one. We advise you stick to a baseball cap to keep the sun out your eyes, and a simple wooly hat in winter.

Waterproof jackets and trousers - also permitted in wet weather

Your attire will also depend on where you’re playing. Prestigious clubs will require absolute dedication to their dress code if you want to play there. However, if you’re playing somewhere a little more casual, you can probably get away veering slightly away from the expectations.

Q: Can I Use Other Shoes Other Than Spikeless Golf Shoes?

A: You can use spiked golf shoes if you want, but that’s about it. Golf shoes are designed specifically to provide you the necessary traction and support in your golf swing. You also need them for cushioning, breathability, and sufficient energy return.

Knowing this, we do not recommend wearing anything other than golf shoes when playing golf. When playing a course, you are also expected to hold up the traditions of the game, and that includes wearing suitable footwear.

Smaller, cheaper courses may allow it, but rarely, and you should stick with proper golf shoes at all times. If you’re reading this article, we’re sure you play golf often enough to justify the purpose, so just go for it.

Sources:

1. No Spikes, No Problem: Spikeless Golf Footwear Evolves and Performs - Golf Week
2. Golf Shoes - Golf A Lot
3. Spiked vs. Spikeless - Dick’s Sporting Goods
4. How to Buy Golf Shoes - Dick’s Sporting Goods