Golf is tough. If the number of techniques you may be required to execute across 18 holes, the psychological pressure of maintaining your score, and the myriad of hazards ready to swallow up your ball on every hole didn’t make the game challenging enough, you then have the weather to contend with. And if you play your golf in less tropical climes, it’s not uncommon to experience all four seasons in one round of golf.
Being prepared from top to bottom is therefore essential, and that starts by ensuring you have a pair of the best golf shoes in 2023 that will perform come rain or shine, allowing you to concentrate purely on your swing, from your first tee shot to your last putt.
So, if wet, tired, and aching feet are limiting your enjoyment and performance, check out our picks of some of the best golf shoes for every condition.
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.
Ecco Biom H4 Golf Shoes – $220 / £190 RRP
What makes Ecco’s spikeless shoes stand out from the crowd is the unrivaled grip and stability, offering as much traction as most spiked golf shoes. The uppers of the Biom H4 are crafted from premium, durable, thin leather, made in Ecco’s own tanneries. The Gore-Tex construction promises to keep your feet dry and comfortable on the golf course. The redesigned tongue and toe area made the Biom H4 more comfortable and gave a sleeker, slimmer look than previous generations. A fantastically balanced shoe that will have you covered, whatever the weather throws.
Under Armour HOVR Drive 2 Golf Shoes – $160 / £140 RRP
The HOVR Drive 2 incorporates comfort and performance for golf in all conditions. UA use their HOVR technology, designed for cushioning and energy return, throughout the sole of the shoe to support the natural motion of the foot and minimize the impact on the body. The microfiber upper means the shoe is lightweight but it’s impressively supportive, and breathable. A 3D-printed toe guard gives added durability, which is great for players who drag their feet through the golf swing. The HOVR Drive 2 is fully waterproof and comes with a one-year waterproof warranty.
Adidas Tour360 22 Golf Shoes – $180 / £160 RRP
The Tour360 is amongst the best-performing Adidas golf shoes. The midsole is their most advanced ever, combining Boost cushioning with an EVA stability frame that provides lightweight stability and comfort. There’s more stability in the middle of the foot thanks to the ‘3D Torsion System’, and the sockliner almost grabs the foot for even more cushioning, comfort, and support. Adidas worked closely with their tour stars to create the latest spikes in the Tour360 with cleats directly injected into the TPU base for more precise locations.
Cuater The Ringer Golf Shoes – $200 / £150 RRP
The athletic-looking and tech-packed ‘The Ringer’ as worn by The Masters champion Jon Rah is a great all-rounder. It has a fully waterproof upper and the breathable mesh liner helps to keep your feet comfortable when the temperatures soar. The molded insole is designed by orthopedic experts and ensures The Ringer is as comfortable after 18 holes as it was on the 1st tee. The clean and simple look will appeal to those who don’t want loud and brash. The excellent Softspikes really hunker down to keep you stable throughout your swing.
How to choose golf shoes
If you are in the market for a pair of golf shoes that are guaranteed to perform in any conditions you may encounter, we suggest you keep in mind the following considerations:
Comfort – With rounds lasting over four hours, comfort is king. Feeling soft and spongy underfoot is one thing, but more important is a good fit with sufficient heel and ankle support to keep your foot secure. Also, consider breathability. Hopefully you’ll be enjoying a few rounds in the sun so allowing excess heat to escape is key.
Waterproofing – Likelihood is that you will also face a few wet rounds across the year, and if this is commonplace in your part of the World then ensure you spend a little more to ensure your new shoes are 100% waterproof, and ideally with a minimum 1-year warranty.
Stability – Fundamentally, a golf shoe needs to provide you with sufficient traction and support when swinging. The latest spikeless shoes are massively improved in terms of the level of traction they provide, however, opting for a spiked shoe will generally provide that added stability required when hitting off wet or slopped terrain.
