Are You Wearing the Right Size Shoe?

Want to hear something scary? You could be wearing the wrong size of shoe.

OK, it’s not that scary but the reality is that some people don’t know their actual shoe size. Do you really know, without a doubt, what size you should be wearing?

Chances are this differs from what you’re actually wearing. Unless you’ve been measured with a Brannock or a similar device, you potentially could be losing out on the performance benefits of your golf footwear.

Wearing the correct size is more important than you think. Let me explain.

Why Does it Matter?

If you want to get the most out of your golf clubs, you get fitted. There’s no sense in someone who’s 6’2″ playing golf clubs that are an inch short.

Think of your footwear in the same light. Wearing a shoe that is the right fit for your foot is paramount in maximizing not only performance but health and safety.

“An ill-fitting golf shoe will not only dampen your experience walking the course but it can also impact performance,” said Jake Haley, Senior Product Line Manager, Golf Footwear at Under Armour. “Too tight or too loose (a fit) can lead to loss of stability and support. You really want the foot engaged with every part of the shoe for maximum internal traction.”

The performance of your golf shoe can change depending on the size of said shoe. For example, Under Armour’s new Drive Pro golf shoe was designed to flex at certain points that coincide with the natural movement of the foot.

“In the new Drive Pro and Drive Pro SL, we built in flexibility and softness around the first metatarsal joints (big toe joint) to guide the natural movement of the foot in the golf swing. If you wear the incorrect size, your foot will flex where the shoe is designed to flex and therefore you wouldn’t get the full benefit of strategically placed elements like this, ” Haley said. “The same goes for traction where we worked with our bio-mechanist to strategically place the toe spike and our S3 spikes in precise locations aligned with the anatomy of the foot, and the incorrect sized foot wouldn’t reap the full benefit.”

How to Find Your Size

Recently, I was granted access to 3D foot scanner at Under Armour’s HQ. The device was able to accurately confirm that, one, my feet were a size 11, and, two, that they were both the same size.

What I didn’t know, however, is that I have a narrow foot. Imagine that!

Bennett, our social media manager, also stepped onto the scanner. Interestingly, her feet varied by almost half a size. She found out that she’d been wearing shoes that were slightly too small.

Unless you have access to a 3D foot scanner like the one we got to experience at Under Armour, you’ll have to find a different way to measure your foot. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to do.

Ever heard of a Brannock Device? Invented by Charles Brannock, the Brannock Device is the standard measurement tool for the footwear industry. These nifty mechanical devices allow you to properly and accurately measure the length and width of your foot.

In short, a Brannock Device is a simple, easy way to find your true shoe size. The best part? They’re available at most big-name shoe stores or your local podiatry clinic.

What Next?

With your (potentially) new shoe size in hand, it’s time to go shopping! Even if/when you know your shoe size, it’s still important to try before you buy. Simply put, a size 11 in Under Armour may be a little different in FootJoy.

Here are a few more tips and tricks for finding the perfect fit:

• If one foot is larger than the other, opt for the bigger size rather than the smaller one.
• Pay attention to width. An extra-wide foot may be room for moving up half a size or more.
• If you find yourself “choking” down on the laces, maybe you need a smaller shoe.
• Pay attention to materials. Raw, real materials like leathers tend to stretch so the fit of your shoes may change over time.