Whether you want to play a casual round or competitively hit the course every week, finding the best golf shoes will increase your comfort and, dare we say, decrease your score.
Our team of testers looked at a variety of factors including, stability, support, traction and comfort. We tested more than 50 pairs of shoes across spiked, spikeless, and women’s styles. Through testing, we found there is no specific answer to the spiked vs spikeless debate, rather it comes down to a matter of personal preference. Whether you have wide feet, a need for traction or a desire for comfort, we have you covered.
The Best Golf Shoes of 2023
Jump to one of our top picks or scroll on to see the entire list. And if you need help choosing, be sure to check our out buying advice at the end of the article.
- Best Spiked Golf Shoes: FootJoy HyperFlex Carbon
- Best Spikeless Golf Shoes: adidas Codechaos 22
- Most Comfortable Golf Shoe: PAYNTR X 001F
- Best Value Spikeless Golf Shoe: Skechers Go Golf Elite 5
- Best Women’s Golf Shoes: adidas Solarmotion BOA
- Buying Advice: How to Choose the Best Golf Shoes
Best Spiked Golf Shoes
The best spiked golf shoes were tested by two experts who spent more than 30 hours directly testing 18 total products. We recommend spiked golf shoes for anyone who places a high value on traction and staying grounded through any tempo swing.
While the spiked shoe market does appear to be shrinking, we don’t see it disappearing anytime soon. Pros still swear by spiked shoes and with improvements in spike design, the all-day comfort is only improving with each new release.
Best Spiked Shoes: FootJoy HyperFlex Carbon
The best spiked golf shoe for 2023 is the FootJoy HyperFlex Carbon. If your game needs stability and comfort on the golf course you can find both with the Carbon.
If you have wide feet, you’ll also find these are a winner. They have plenty of room, especially around the toe. As one tester wrote, “The shoe goes on like a slipper. Just grab those tabs on the top and the heel and shove your family of piggies right inside. The elastic nature of the shoe allows it to open up for entry and also retracts to snuggle your foot.”
The addition of the carbon plate gives the shoe fantastic lateral stability and twist resistance. Plus, the spikes provide the traction you need in all weather conditions.
Most Comfortable Spiked Golf Shoe: PAYNTR X 004 LUXE
The PAYNTR X 004 LUXE is a comfortable spiked shoe. With its high performance in traction (grip), it made its way to the No. 2 spot for spiked shoes in 2023. In general, PAYNTR shoes have a solid track record in our testing over the last few years.
Our testers liked both the look and feel of the plush leather upper. And the PMX foam midsole makes for a smooth walking experience. This shoe also received high marks for traction. The blister-free heel design is a fantastic feature to have, especially for those long, hot rounds on the course. Keep in mind that this heel may not provide as much stability as a traditional heel cup.
Best Budget Spiked Shoe: PAYNTR X 006
The PAYNTR X 006 is an great shoe that earned fourth place in stability, second place in comfort and third in traction. Looking for top-rated performance without breaking the bank? This is a good one to consider.
The X 006 is PAYNTR’s budget-spiked offering, but its performance is anything but lackluster. The trade-off here is in materials. The X 006 doesn’ts have the same carbon plate as it’s more expensive brothers. That said, it still provides remarkable comfort, good stability and word-class traction.
Best Spikeless Golf Shoes
The best spikeless test consisted of 29 pairs of golf shoes tested by two experts over 30 hours. We look for things like protection from the elements, traction, comfort and stability.
The spikeless golf shoe market is expanding rapidly as more new golfers enter the sport. Spikeless design has come a long way and there’s no denying the comfort of these sneaker-style kicks. With improvements in rubber technology and outsole design, spikeless shoes can offer the performance of their spiked counterparts.
Spikeless shoes are great for anyone who values extra comfort, enjoys walking the greens, or wants a shoe more similar to their everyday wear favorites.
Best Spikeless Golf Shoe: adidas Codechaos 22
The adidas Codechaos 22 took top spot for the best spikeless golf shoe for 2023. Stability and comfort are its standout features but for a spikeless model, the traction is really impressive. If you play golf regardless of conditions, the Codechaos also keeps your feet dry.
The wrap-around outsole provides great stability in the heel section and 360-degree traction for any weather condition. It’s a polarizing design, but it sure gets the job done.
Most Comfortable Golf Shoe: PAYNTR X 001F
Not only did the PAYNTR shoes grab second and third place in the spiked division but they duplicated that performance for spikeless, too. The PAYNTR X 001F is one of the most comfortable golf shoes we’ve tested. The stability and traction are also above average.
The microfiber upper is buttery soft and the underfoot EVA foam is, too. Throw in some great spikeless traction and you’ve got a solid all-arounder. If you want this in a lighter option, there is also a mesh model of the PAYNTR X 001F. The calling card of the X 001F is the PXM foam midsole. It provides great responsiveness for walking and ultimate impact protection throughout the swing.
Mid-Price Favorite: PAYNTR X 003F
The PAYNTR X 003F is the cheapest shoe from this company but it has great traction and stability. If you don’t want to break the bank but don’t want your feet to hate you, the PAYNTR X 003F is a solid choice.
The X 003F is the take-down model of the X 001 F, but its performance is on par with the rest of the PAYNTR lineup. The microfiber upper still provides a great feel, and the spikeless traction is among the best there is.
Best Value Golf Shoe: Skechers Go Golf Elite 5
How can you go wrong with saving a little extra cash? Don’t let the price tag fool you, the Skechers Go Golf Elite 5 is a top performer across the board. The calling card of the Go Golf Elite 5 is its elite cushion setup; man is this shoe comfortable.
The Go Golf Elite 5 provides good stability and decent traction, too, to go along with its waterproof upper. This spikeless golf shoe punches well above its pricetag.
Best Women’s Golf Shoes
The women’s golf shoe test featured 20 pairs of women’s shoes. We looked at things like how the shoe holds up in the elements, traction, stability and the overall fit, feel and look of the shoe.
Best Overall Golf Shoe for Women: adidas Solarmotion BOA
The adidas Solarmotion BOA is the No. 1 spikeless women’s shoe of 2023. The BOA technology gives that stable and secure fit while prioritizing comfort. One of the things that stood out the most during this test was the traction and stability of the spikeless Solarmotion BOA.
The BOA fit system is on the side of the shoe, keeping the Solarmotion one of the better-looking women’s shoes of 2023.
Best Women’s Golf Shoe for Wide Feet: Payntr X003
With the strong presence of PAYNTR in the men’s category, it’s not a complete surprise that the PAYNTR X003 is the second-best women’s golf shoe of 2023. The PAYNTR X003 is lightweight but still provides plenty of traction and stability.
Women golfers with wider feet will find the PAYNTR X003 gives plenty of extra space. Regardless of the conditions you are playing in, the PAYNTR X003 can handle it. So if you are a morning walker and need a shoe that can keep you dry, comfortable and supported, this is it.
Finding the Best Golf Shoes for Your Game
It’s hard not to be tempted by looks when you choose a golf shoe. But just like we found when comparing mallet and blade putters, there is no correlation between style and performance.
You, of course, will want your shoes to match your personal style, but top of the list should be performance.
Spiked vs. Spikeless Golf Shoes
When spikeless shoes first came out, the gap in performance between spiked and spikeless was much more noticeable. Traction and stability were lacking although the spikeless were convenient and often quite stylish.
Today, you can find great traction and stability in both the spiked and spikeless models. That little extra grab from the spikes is still preferred by aggressive players. But the sneaker-style comfort and design is preferred by a growing group of golfers.
Golf Spikes
Plastic Spikes
Plastic Spikes are the most abundant and commonly used spikes. They offer a good balance between traction and comfort. They are lighter and less likely to cause damage to the greens. It’s relatively easy to change the spikes, just make sure you have the right type of replacement spikes as they are not universal.
Metal Spikes
It’s rare to see metal spikes anymore, but some pros do still wear them. Tiger Woods has notedly worn metal spikes for most of his career. That said, most golfers and equipment makers have switched to plastic spikes.
Construction
- Midsole: Foam cushion. Make sure it’s not too plush or too firm and pay close attention to longevity here. Foam won’t last in a cheaper shoe.
- Outsole: A flexible sole (which can be found in both spikeless and spiked shoes) will move with your foot and make the shoe more comfortable.
- Material: Leather shoes are more flexible, offer a more premium feel and better comfort than plastic or TPU. Full-grain leather shoes often have good long-term durability, although they may scuff more easily.
Waterproof
Waterproof golf shoes are an investment but, can be worth it if you play in certain conditions. If you live somewhere that rains often (hello Seattle) or often get the first dew-drenched tee time, then waterproofing can benefit you.
But if most of your hours on the course are in a hot-dry climate like Arizona, you’re going to want to avoid waterproof shoes. While the waterproofing technology has come along way in the past several years, there is still a dip in breathability when you add in a water resistant membrane. Our forum members recently tested waterproof Squairz Bold shoes and found that the waterproofing increased heat-retention.
Comfort
Your pair of golf shoes can be the most comfortable shoes in your closet. One of our testers, noted that his wide feet often have trouble fitting in standard-style shoes. While they didn’t make our general top list, the
Walking 18 holes you will likely cover at least five miles so comfort matters!
Stability
Nobody wants to lose control mid golf swing. While the shoe sole (whether spiked or spikeless) is all about traction, design elements like heel cups and lacing systems aim to increase overall stability and prevent your foot from shifting within the shoe.
Many shoes have traditional lacing systems, but we’re also seeing an uptick of technology like BOA being used. Depending on your arch height and foot shape, a locking system like this may provide more stability.
Durability
Nothing’s more annoying than spending money on a piece of gear that doesn’t last. If you golf often, your shoes will get beat on pretty good. But they should still last a solid season or two without issue. We pay special attention to durability and it’s one of the top reasons we continue to test things over the long haul. Every shoe on this list has been in testing for a significant time and has proven durable.
Value
In general, a higher price tag often correlates to increased performance or quality, but that is certainly not always the case. We don’t have bottomless pockets and we’d rather spend our extra cash on greens fees. We’re always on the lookout for a deal and try to include a quality budget pick whenever possible.
Why You Should Trust Us
You’ve probably guessed it by now, but we’re obsessed with golf. Not like, we just kinda like it, but more like we seriously can’t stop thinking about. From our dedicated Ball Lab to the obsessive way we nerd out over comparing gear, you can rest assured knowing we test, re-test, and truly obsess about golf gear.
To find the best golf shoes we tested more than 50 pairs of shoes across a variety of categories. We analyzed in the lab as well as in the field golfing. During testing we focused on stability, traction, durability and comfort. Our footwear-obsessed, resident sneakerhead took the lead here and helped wrangle a group of varied testers who include both spike-preferring and spikeless-loving golfers.
Other Golf Shoes We Tested
We won’t list the all 50+, but here are some notable golf shoes we’ve tested with a few notes. While they didn’t reign supreme, they could still be a good fit for your feet.
- adidas ZG23 BOA – adidas’ newest spiked golf shoe is a top performer across the board. The BOA closure provides a one-to-one fit, and the Lightstrike Pro foam is as comfortable as anything out there.
- SQAIRZ SPEED Bold – Our forum testers, really liked this shoe for comfort and traction. But the waterproofing lead to hot feet. Choose this if you regularly golf in wet weather.
- Ecco S-Three – ECCO is known for its technology. This Ecco shoe features three different foams placed throughout the midsole to provide the best performance possible.
- PUMA Ignite Elevate – PUMA’s Ignite Elevate has great traction, but the narrow fit is a concern, especially for those of you with wide feet.
- Nike Air Max 90 G – We tested the Nike Air Max and found they were just downright uncomfortable.
Best Golf Shoe FAQs
Now that your feet are covered, let’s make sure you have the best golf bag and best golf gloves.
DB
7 months ago
I normally wear Adidas but the Codechaos 22s destroyed my heels. I had blisters developing on my feet after 9 holes, I had to change shoes at the turn. I have normal shaped feet and almost never have this problem. Very disappointed in them.