Golf shoes are an overlooked part of the game as far as its effect on your performance; however, they can be a part of your success! Golf shoes help support and balance your body to give you a proper, stable stance. They should also be comfortable and protective enough so that you can focus on your swing and not on your feet. With hundreds of models and styles on the market, how do you select the right pair?
Size
Your normal shoe size may not be your golf shoe size. You should have your feet measured for both length and width. If possible, try on a pair of the shoe brand you are most interested in to gain an understanding of that brand's particular fit. Ensuring that you have a thumb fingernail width between your big toe and the tip of the shoe is a good rule of thumb (no pun intended).
Comfort
Comfort is essential to selecting the proper pair of golf shoes. However, choosing the right shoe will depend on how you play the game. More specifically, the shoe appropriate for a player who mainly rides is different from what is desired by a golfer who is walking out on the course.
Players who ride might put a premium on a stable and heavily-padded shoe with the highest level of softness and comfort in both the shoe's insert and cleats. This type of shoe is heavier which means a lot of extra energy would be spent for a walking golfer, but it could be perfect for a rider.
Players who walk should look for a lightweight, flexible shoe with waterproofing. Spikeless golf shoes are a great option as they provide exceptional flexibility and comfort since they are often designed similarly to tennis or sports shoes. Spikeless golf shoes also provide plenty of stability as the spikes or "nubs" are strong enough to keep you grounded during the swing, yet soft enough to flex while walking, enhancing your endurance throughout your round.
The type of spikes on the shoe can also affect the comfort of a pair of golf shoes. Spikes are wider and distribute your weight more evenly when you stand. Nubs like the ones found on spikeless golf shoes are best for people with knee problems since they create the least amount of pressure up the leg.
Quality
If you play golf regularly throughout the year, you need a more durable shoe than a casual golfer. Leather shoes are typically more expensive than shoes made from synthetic materials, but they often provide improved waterproof technologies. The price of a leather shoe can vary as well, depending on its type and quality. It's a good idea to get multiple pairs of shoes if you play more than once a week because rotating shoes will extend the life of each shoe as well as allowing a wet pair ample time to dry.
Style
A perfect pair of golf shoes fits your personality as well as your feet. FootJoy is renowned for the more traditional saddle-style golf shoes (although they also offer more modern styles, too). On the other end of the spectrum, brands like Puma, Nike, and adidas that are more commonly associated with sneakers offer many hybrid designs (which mix traditional and sneaker-styles). This is also true of ECCO and Ashworth. FootJoy and Callaway offer both saddle and sneaker-type shoes. Golf sandals usually come in either flip-flop or a more rugged, strappy style.
Once you have the shoes in front of you, try them on with golf socks (or whatever socks you will be wearing when you play) to ensure a proper fit. Take a normal step and make sure the crease at the top of the shoe where your toes meet the rest of your foot is not too deep.
Unlike other golf equipment, your shoes are always with you on the course, so take time to ensure a good relationship.