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Nowadays, many of the best golf shoes are in fact, spikeless models. That’s because the latest spikeless golf shoes offer a grip that can match if not beat, the best spiked golf shoes whilst being incredibly comfortable and lightweight. Threading Tools
If you’re after waterproof golf shoes then many of the spikeless offerings have you covered, meaning they can be worn all year round (even in the British summer). With the evolution of golf shoes from metal spikes, through soft spikes and now spikeless, technological advancements mean you can get immensely comfortable golf shoes that also provide you with considerable levels of traction.
Editor’s choice: Payntr X 002 LE | BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – US
Best spikeless golf shoe: Ecco S-Three Golf Shoes | BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – US
Best spikeless golf shoe over £100/$100: FootJoy Pro SL Golf Shoes | BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – US
Best spikeless golf shoe under £100/$100: Under Armour Charged Phantom | BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – US
All the major golf shoe manufacturers – FootJoy, Ecco, Adidas, Nike, Under Armour, Skechers, and Puma – have a comprehensive range of spikeless shoes, see our favorites below.
Our editor's favorite spikeless golf shoe has the hallmarks of iconic models
Best spikeless golf shoe of 2024 is well worth the price tag
Best spikeless golf shoe for those with a bigger budget
Best value all-rounder is packed with running shoe tech
Best classic-looking spikeless golf shoe and winner of a TG Award
Best for spike-like grip in a spikeless package
Best and most comfortable Adidas spikeless golf shoe
Best for instant comfort and subtle styling
Best for wearing on and off the golf course
Best spikeless golf shoe for all-day comfort
Best modern FootJoy spikeless shoe
Best spikeless golf shoe for the younger generation
Best spikeless shoe for traction
Best new spikeless golf shoe brand
Here at Today’s Golfer, our team of carefully selected reviewers tests and assesses each product over an extended period of time. Having tested tens of thousands of products over the years, we know exactly what to look for. We will ask every possible question about each product that we review. With a range of everyday golfers testing products you can rest assured that if it’s a situation that can arise for you on the golf course, we’ve already put the product through that scenario before recommending it.
With golf shoes, testing means wearing them for multiple rounds so we can determine the out-of-the-box performance in a variety of conditions. The overall performance of a product will depend on variables such as grip, durability, versatility, comfort, and fit.
We are lucky enough to attend product launches and meet the manufacturers to understand why they release a new product and its benefit to the consumer. The TG team pride ourselves on the fact that we understand and test all of our products to give you our honest and in-depth opinion on whether it is worth buying or not. The golf shoe reviews and recommendations are there with you the readers as our highest priority, so we can recommend products that will help you improve your game.
See a full guide to how we test golf equipment.
One of the most important things to get right for the golf season is your golf shoes. There are a number of different variables to consider when picking what’s going to be on your feet out on the course. To assist you along your shoe-buying journey we have put together what we think are key points to consider when buying your next pair.
The first thing we advise when buying any golf product is to set yourself a realistic budget and stick to it. You can spend anything from £50 to £250 on golf shoes, depending on the brand, style, tech, and materials.
With hundreds of different models available, setting a budget for your next golf shoes will help to narrow down your search.
If the brand isn’t important to you then you’re more likely to be able to spend less money than if your heart is set on a pair of current FootJoy or Ecco shoes for example.
If you’re just starting out in golf, this is your first pair of golf shoes, or you only play occasionally we’d recommend setting a lower budget. Firstly, there’s no point in blowing a fortune on the shoes if you’re going to discover you don’t actually like the game as much as you hoped or only get on the course a couple of times a year. Secondly, the money you save on shoes can be spent adding other equipment, paying for some rounds, or getting yourself some lessons.
Many of the best golf shoes seen above and across the best brands now are split evenly between spiked and spikeless which both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Golf shoes with spikes tend to give better grip/traction out on the golf course with them having soft spikes placed around the outsole. Spiked shoes are the more durable option as they have replaceable spikes, meaning if you look after and replace them there should be no reason they won’t last a long time.
With spikes on the outsole, the shoe has added pressure points on the foot which can result in a slightly less comfortable fit. Spiked golf shoes are less versatile as they aren’t designed to be worn both on and off the golf course.
The Spikeless option may not give golfers as much traction as spiked golf shoes but they have come a long way in recent years. Spikeless golf shoes tend to feature small rubber molds on the outsole to aid grip, however, with technological advancements, companies are finding new ways to improve spikeless traction.
The use of compounds such as TPU has allowed brands like Under Armour and Ecco to produce a spikeless shoe that, when partnered with rubber molds, gives arguably as much traction as a spiked shoe. Spikeless shoes are becoming more and more durable, and modern styling makes them more attractive as an everyday shoe. With brands using tech from their running shoes in golf shoes, they are often uber-comfortable too.
Spikeless shoes are lighter and much more versatile. They’re a shoe that you can drive in and hit drives in.
Some of you may live in an area of the world that gets a lot of rain, making a waterproof shoe a must. Or you may be a golfer that likes to prepare for any outcome on the course and doesn’t want to be left with soggy feet from an unexpected shower.
In the UK waterproof shoes can be a sensible option when picking out what to wear on the course. Many golfers buy a waterproof pair for winter, and a more breathable lightweight shoe for summer.
Buying a pair of shoes that are guaranteed waterproof can cost a little more so if you live in a part of the world where rain rarely falls (hello Dubai), then you can save yourself a bit of cash with a non-waterproof model.
Arguably the most important part of picking out a new golf shoe is getting something that fits your feet correctly. This will help prevent blisters and stop your feet from moving around, which can limit your control during the swing.
When putting on a shoe for the first time always make sure there is no pinching or movement. When your foot slides in you always check your toes fit at the end of the shoe and have a walk around in them to make sure they feel comfortable. We’d even recommend making a few golf swing motions to ensure they are fit for purpose.
Under Armour use ‘normal’ laces throughout their range of shoes. But most big-name brands including FootJoy and Ecco use a system called BOA. This lets you twist a dial to tighten the specially formulated laces and can provide a better fit that doesn’t loosen when playing. While BOA often creates a more secure fit, the look and feel aren’t for everyone and BOA models tend to be more expensive.
With your average round of golf being more than four hours, comfort is king when buying golf shoes. If your shoes are uncomfortable and hard-wearing on your feet, your mind will be distracted from playing good golf.
Try to find a shoe with good cushioning for the bottom of your foot and around the heel. Good heel and ankle support will keep your foot secure and will help with your golf swing.
You want to make sure that the shoe isn’t too soft as that may also hinder you in the long run as it won’t be as supportive. Finding a balance of support and comfort is what you should be looking for to make the most out of your new golf shoes.
Modern golf shoes come in many styles. It’s not all about the traditional look on the golf course anymore. A classic-looking shoe can now be seen next to the latest pair of sneakers on the tee box.
There are golf shoes out there for everyone, from brogues to lightweight, knitted models. You need to consider what shoes you wear and like wearing off the course and then you should have no trouble getting a style that suits you on the course.
We’d always recommend you thoroughly research all of the options and create a shortlist to try.
Yes. Many of the best spikeless golf shoes offer up as much grip as spiked golf shoes and tend to be comfier to wear. Spikeless golf shoes are also more versatile as they can be worn on and off the golf course as they feel like normal shoes.
Yes, tour pros do play with spikeless golf shoes. In fact, due to the fair conditions they play in, the majority of pros use them over spiked golf shoes.
Golfers like to wear spikeless golf shoes as they find them more comfortable to walk in on and off the golf course. They’re more comfortable since there are no spikes to affect balance or apply pressure under the foot, spikeless golf shoes are also lighter and great to wear casually.
Spikeless golf shoes can give enough traction to help golfers in soft and wet conditions. Advancements in the golf shoe have meant spikeless soles now offer excellent grip thanks to things such as strategically placed rubber studs or TPU outsoles, which compete with most spiked models.
Will Shreeve-Peacock – Golf Equipment Writer
Will Shreeve-Peacock is a golf equipment writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in golf shoes, GPS watches, rangefinders, and training aids.
He has a degree in journalism from Sheffield Hallam university and four years of experience working in golf retail with American Golf. Will was part of the sales and fitting team, making him the perfect man to review golf equipment.
Trained by a range of manufacturers, including Titleist, to enhance his product knowledge, Will has all of the skills required to recommend the best equipment for amateur golfers.
Will uses a Cobra LTDx driver (10.5º), Cobra LTDx fairway wood (15º), TaylorMade P790 (2-iron), Callaway X Forged 18 Irons (4-PW), Wilson Staff Model Wedges (52°, 58°), TaylorMade White smoke IN-12 Blade putter and the TaylorMade TP5x Golf ball.
When he’s not testing golf shoes, he chooses to wear FootJoy Hyperflex or Under Armour Charged Phantom. He uses a Shotscope Pro L2 rangefinder and his favorite ever training aid is the PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer and mat.
You can contact Will via email. Follow him on Twitter here.
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