Choosing golf shoes: the complete guide
Choosing the right golf shoes depends on four criteria: grip (with or without spikes depending on the terrain), comfort (essential from the first try-on), material (leather for durability, synthetic for lightness), and size (heel support, free toes, no rubbing). These four points are enough to avoid buying the wrong shoes.
On the driving range and on the 9-hole Belvédère course, it's a recurring theme: it's often the same details—a shoe that's too stiff, a grip poorly suited to the wet terrain of Haute-Savoie, a size chosen too hastily in the shop—that spoil an otherwise successful round. This guide covers, point by point, everything you need to check before buying.
Expert advice: Always try on your future golf shoes at the end of the day and by walking for several minutes; the foot swells slightly with exertion and a size tried on cold in the morning may prove to be too small after a few holes.
Table of Contents - Choosing golf shoes: the complete guide to finding the right pair without making a mistake
Why golf shoes really change your game
A golf shoe is not simply a comfort accessory: it's the only point of contact between your body and the ground during your swing. Poor grip or inadequate foot support directly results in a loss of balance, an unstable posture, and ultimately, a loss of accuracy and distance.
The most apt analogy remains that of car tires: no matter how powerful the engine (your swing) is, if the tires don't grip the road (the terrain), performance collapses. On a hilly course like Belvédère, where the ground balance varies from hole to hole, this grip is even more crucial than on a flat driving range.
The 4 criteria to check before buying
1. The grip: your safety during the swing
Grip is crucial for stability during your swing. Shoes with soft cleats (spikes) offer the most reliable traction, especially on wet or sloping ground. Spikeless models feature a multidirectional lug sole, which is lighter and more versatile, but slightly less secure on wet terrain.
2. Comfort: the non-negotiable criterion
An uncomfortable golf shoe ruins everything, even if it ticks all the other boxes. A round of golf involves walking an average of 6 to 10 kilometers spread over 3 to 4 hours: the slightest point of friction quickly turns into a blister or pain. When trying on shoes, walk around the store for several minutes, bend your knees, and simulate a pivoting motion—never just try them on statically for a few seconds.
3. The terrain: dry, wet, hilly or mixed
Waterproofing and grip are not chosen in the same way depending on the season. In Haute-Savoie, where the climate alternates between morning dew, rainy spells and dry ground in summer, a waterproof shoe with reinforced grip remains the most versatile choice for a good part of the year.
4. Frequency: occasional, regular, or intensive
A casual player can be satisfied with a standard synthetic model. A regular or intensive player will benefit from investing in treated leather or more durable technical materials, capable of withstanding weekly use without losing their shape.
Golf shoes with or without spikes: which to choose?
This is the most frequently asked question from golfers who are renewing their equipment. The table below summarizes the two options.
| Criteria | With cleats (spikes) | Spikeless |
|---|---|---|
| Grip on wet ground | Excellent | Correct, but more limited |
| Walking comfort | Okay, stiffer sole | Very good, often lighter |
| Versatility (before/after game) | Limited | High, mobile phones off the course |
| Interview | Periodic replacement of cleats | Fixed sole, easier maintenance |
| Recommended profile | Frequent use of wet terrain, performance-oriented | Mostly dry weather, long walks, versatility |
Choose shoes with cleats if:
- you often play on wet ground;
- you are looking for maximum anchoring on a slope or incline;
- your balance is unstable at the moment of the swing;
- You prioritize pure performance on the course.
Choose shoes without cleats if:
- you mostly play in dry weather;
- Walking represents a significant part of your game;
- You are looking for lightness above all else;
- You want to be able to keep your shoes on before and after the game (practice, clubhouse).
What material should you choose for your golf shoes?
Leather remains the gold standard in terms of robustness and durability: with proper care, it will last for several seasons without losing its waterproof qualities. Synthetic materials, on the other hand, emphasize lightness and improved breathability, a real advantage during summer games. Neither is objectively superior: the choice depends on how often you play and the climate in which you typically play.
How can I tell if the shoe size is right?
A good shoe size can be recognized by four simple signs: the heel stays in place without slipping, the toes have a little freedom without being compressed, no friction zone appears after a few steps, and the foot remains stable during a pivoting movement.
Always avoid a size that is too large, which promotes internal slippage during the swing, as well as a size that is too tight, which causes pain after only a few holes.
The right choice according to your golfer profile
You're a beginner
Comfort and stability are paramount. A model without crampons is perfectly adequate in good weather; flexible crampons offer greater reassurance in autumn or on wet ground. This is, in fact, one of the first pieces of advice given to new students at the...’Belvedere Golf School : a simple and comfortable pair is better than a poorly chosen technical model.
You play regularly
Durability and foot support become priorities. Investing in a more technical model, made of leather or with a reinforced sole, pays for itself quickly over time.
You are performance-oriented
The grip and lateral support are essential to secure your footing at full swing speed, especially during sessions at The driving range where the movement is repeated dozens of times.
You walk a lot on the route
Cushioning should be a major factor in your decision, even more so on a hilly course like the 9-hole Belvedere course, where the elevation changes put more strain on the feet than a flat course.
The most common mistakes when choosing golf shoes
Buy for the look only. A beautiful shoe that slips or hurts is still a bad shoe, regardless of its design.
Copy another player's choice. A different swing, preferred terrain and frequency of play rarely make the choice of a playing partner relevant.
Underestimating the weather. Seasonal conditions radically change the requirements for waterproofing and grip from one area to another.
Neglecting the actual fitting. Walking, pivoting, bending during the in-store fitting: it is these gestures, and not a simple glance in the mirror, that reveal an ill-fitting shoe.
Quick method to choose in 2 minutes
Five questions are enough to quickly decide:
- Do I prefer playing in dry or humid weather?
- Do I walk a lot or do I take a cart/bike?
- Am I a beginner or have I been playing for a long time?
- Do I prioritize performance or versatility?
- Is my budget geared towards entry-level or technical models?
Depending on your answers, choose a lightweight and versatile model without studs (dry weather, walking, beginner), a model with flexible studs (wet terrain, performance requirements), or an intermediate leather model for regular all-season use.
Men, women, juniors: should we choose differently?
Men's, women's, and junior ranges exist primarily to accommodate differences in foot shape (width, arch) and build. But beyond the label, it's the actual comfort when trying them on and their performance on the course that should guide the choice, far more than the box ticked on the shelf.
How to care for your golf shoes
- Remove the soil and grass after each game, before they dry on the sole.
- Let the shoes air dry, never near a direct heat source.
- Clean the leather with a suitable product and re-waterproof it regularly.
- Replace worn cleats as soon as they lose their grip.
- Alternate between two pairs if you play very regularly, to prolong their lifespan.
Things to remember before buying
The best golf shoe isn't necessarily the most popular, the most expensive, or the trendiest: it's the one that suits your course, your playing frequency, and the actual shape of your foot. Grip, comfort, material, and size: by checking these four points before each purchase, you eliminate most unpleasant surprises.
Conclusion: Key takeaways
Choosing golf shoes doesn't require advanced technical expertise, but rather four systematic checks: the grip suited to your terrain, comfort confirmed by actively trying them on, a material appropriate for your playing frequency, and a size that keeps the foot stable without constricting it. These criteria are, in fact, the same ones applied by golf instructors. French Golf Federation, when they advise their students on basic equipment.
Still hesitating between two models, or want to test different pairs in real-world conditions before buying? The state-certified instructors at the Belvédère Golf School can advise you during your next practice session. Don't hesitate to contact us to discuss it before your next visit to Golf du Belvédère.
FAQ: Choosing golf shoes: the complete guide to finding the right pair without making a mistake
How to choose golf shoes?
By checking four criteria in order: the grip adapted to the terrain (with or without studs), the comfort validated by a fitting in motion, the material (leather or synthetic) according to your frequency of play, and the size, which must hold the heel without compressing the toes.
Should you choose shoes with or without cleats?
It depends mainly on the terrain you frequent most often: cleats offer better anchoring on wet or sloping ground, while models without cleats prioritize lightness and versatility in dry weather.
What is the best golf shoe for beginners?
A comfortable model without crampons is usually sufficient to start in good weather; soft crampons provide more reassurance on wet ground, without it being necessary to invest in a high-end model from the first lessons.
Do golf shoes really matter in the game?
Yes: they directly influence the stability of the stance during the swing. A poor grip or poor foot support leads to a loss of balance, which affects the accuracy and distance of the shots.
What material should you choose for your golf shoes?
Leather offers greater robustness and durability over several seasons; synthetic materials are lighter and more breathable, particularly suitable for summer activities.
How can I check that the size is correct?
The heel should remain firmly in place without slipping, the toes should have some freedom, no friction should appear after a few steps, and the foot should remain stable during a pivoting movement.
Can you play golf in regular sports shoes?
Technically yes for a one-off discovery, but it is not recommended beyond that: the absence of a specific golf grip increases the risk of slipping during the swing and does not offer the necessary lateral support or waterproofing on a course.
