2017 SPIKED GOLF SHOE BUYER’S GUIDE

Golf shoes are changing, and they’re changing fast. In 2017 golfers demand a shoe not only look good but also provide comfort, right out of the box. It must also provide stability in the right places and be able to handle the harsh conditions encountered on the course throughout the entire season.

The aim of this spiked golf shoe buyer’s guide is to ensure you get the functionality of a spiked shoe with the comfort of your favorite sneaker.

The process of buying anything in today’s time has become stressful and time-consuming. We feel the best reviews are those that help you make the right choices and help you get the most out of your time and money. This way you can buy with confidence and eliminate a lot of the guesswork. We are here to help show you how a product will perform before you buy.

 

One key to our testing protocols is that we test products head-to-head. We select the top products from each category and put them through extensive and detailed head-to-head testing. We test both in the lab and in the field. We score each product across a range of weighted categories. We then rank the products, explain why, and give awards to the best performing products in the category.

Our rankings are based on many factors. This includes the stability provided by the shoe throughout the round. The comfort of the shoe a golfer gets straight from the box and during the swing. The ability of the shoe to resist golf course conditions without breaking down. We also consider the style of the shoe, and the overall fit of the shoe all the way from the heel to the toes. In our spiked shoe category, we also looked at the design and functionality of the traction technology.

 

THE METRICS

We’re always fine-tuning the process to make sure we’re collecting the best data possible. Continuing that trend we’ve updated and refined this year’s analysis to bring you the best buying advice possible.

We put in hours of testing utilizing data-driven protocols to test new metrics. The numbers are better than ever.

Over the course of the test, golfers hit balls while wearing each pair of shoes. There were opportunities for breaks in the test to reduce sweat and limit tester fatigue. We also closely examined each shoe, looking at the insoles, midsoles, outsoles, and undersoles for anything that could limit functionality or comfort.

Stability (20 points) – How much support does the shoe provide throughout the golf swing? Does it stabilize the ankle? If the ankle moves, by how much and in which direction? We also test how far the ball of the foot and toes slide forward and laterally. We find that poor performing shoes allow the foot to move, roll, or slide instead of forcing them to turn. Shoes that performed well have effectively designed heel cups which help lock the ankle into place. These shoes create improved balance by way of the added lower body stability. We also notice shoes with either horizontal patterns and or slicker material on the insole allow the ball of the foot and toes to slide more during the swing.

Comfort (40 points) – Straight from the box do you feel like you can play 9? 18? 36? While many shoes are comfortable while standing or sitting they become uncomfortable when walking long distances. We noticed that some shoes have uncomfortable contouring of their insoles while others had unpliable outsoles. The most comfortable shoes feel light on the feet, yet provided the stability needed during the round.

Elements (15 points) – On the golf course, one faces a variety of different conditions. A quality golf shoe must be able to handle these conditions. From dew to mud to rain a golf shoe must be able to keep your feet safe from the elements. The best shoes in this category have well-designed midsoles, uppers, and outsoles that seal the shoe from the elements.

Style (10 points) – Score is established by considering what we believe the majority of consumers would deem stylish, not whether the individual tester likes the look of the shoe. Survey questions provided to testers were developed to combat any brand-driven favoritism on the part of the individual respondent.

Fit (15 points) – We examined the length, width, ankle entry, toe box, midsection, and heel cup to ensure that each shoe provided a snug and comfortable fit. Shoes that rank poorly in this category caused discomfort stemming from the fit itself. On the other hand, shoes that perform well fit like a glove.

Final grades were awarded based on total scores. Best Overall is our highest overall scoring spiked golf shoe, and awards are given to the top five shoes. Also, more specific Best in Class recognitions are awarded to shoes in certain categories (like fit, comfort, and stability) that push the industry’s design envelope.

We also give an “Editor’s Choice” and a “Best Buy” award to those products that provide value products that compete with the bigger names on performance.

THE BEST SPIKED SHOES OF 2017

2017 SPIKED SHOE BUYERS GUIDE

Name	Price	Stability	Comfort	Elements	Style	Fit	Score
SKECHERS GO GOLF PRO 2	$119.95	1st	1st	4th	6th	1st	93.5
UNDER ARMOUR SPIETH ONE	$159.51	3rd	4th	2nd	3rd	2nd	88.75
ADIDAS TOUR 360 BOOST	$139.99	2nd	7th	2nd	1st	4th	87.25
FOOTJOY HYPERFLEX	$157.23	7th	3rd	11th	12th	9th	86.25
NIKE LUNAR COMMAND 2	$98.99	3rd	6th	10th	1st	9th	85
FOOTJOY FREESTYLE	$119.99	13th	2nd	15th	15th	5th	84.25
ADIDAS POWERBAND BOA	$153.27	7th	7th	6th	11th	2nd	83.75
ADIDAS ADIPURE TP	$200.00	5th	11th	1st	4th	6th	83.25
ECCO COOL 18 GTX	$279.95	6th	4th	15th	14th	6th	82.5
NEW BALANCE 2004	$101.91	7th	10th	8th	6th	6th	82.25
CALLAWAY CORONADO	$154.95	9th	14th	7th	5th	13th	79.75
NEW BALANCE 3001	$160.03	15th	9th	8th	8th	9th	78.5
CALLAWAY LA JOLLA	$101.89	12th	11th	16th	12th	14th	76.5
TRUELINKSWEAR CLASSIX	$169.99	10th	15th	5th	8th	12th	76.5
PUMA TITANTOUR IGNITE DISC	$132.32	13th	13th	8th	15th	14th	75.5
LAMBDA MONZA	$296.18	16th	16th	8th	8th	16th	65

Explore all of our buyer’s guides so that you can make the best buying decisions you can!