Everyone Asks Me Which Golf Shoes To Buy. Here’s What I Tell Them.

I’ve got a problem.

Well, it’s a good problem to have. All of the golfer s in my life (and some that aren’t even in my life) love to ask me for advice.

I get it. I work for MyGolfSpy.

But with this great burden comes great responsibility. I owe it to you (and them) to provide good advice. What I say can make or break someone’s next round of golf. That’s kind of scary.

When I get asked, “Which golf shoes should I buy?”, I always make sure to answer carefully. After testing well over 125 pairs of golf shoes in the past three years or so, here’s what I find myself recommending most often to my friends, family and other golfers who reach out for help.

My No. 1 recommendation

I try to stay away from making generalizations. It’s hard to narrow down one shoe that’s best for “most” people. But, in my experience, the adidas TOUR360 is as close as it gets. It’s the perfect combination of stability, comfort, traction and premium materials.

There are few, if any (unless you absolutely just hate spiked shoes), I don’t recommend to try these. If you’re looking for similar performance with a lower price tag, the Under Armour Drive Pro is up there.

If comfort is your top priority …

Often, golfers come to me only looking for a shoe that’s great for walking. Sure, you still need some semblance of stability and traction is definitely nice. But, if comfort is your top consideration, two pairs that come to mind.

The PUMA ELECTROCAT NITRO is the one I tend to recommend the most in this regard. The traction is fine, the stability is decent … but, man, is it comfortable.

Another sleeper pick is the Under Armour Phantom. I haven’t tried the new version yet (TBD) but it’s another solid choice is the only thing you care about is comfort.

If you want to show love to the “little” guys

Often, some of the smaller brands do some of the best work. Often overlooked in favor of the FJ’s of the world, small brands like PAYNTR can flat-out ball. If there’s one pair you haven’t heard of that you absolutely should try, it’s the Eighty-Seven SC from PAYNTR.

This Jason Day signature shoe is one of my favorite spiked shoes of the year for good reason. It’s packed to the brim with tech and designed to help you perform your best.

If you need something stable (or are coming back from injury)

I don’t get this one often but on occasion there’s someone looking for premier stability, often because they’re nursing an injury to a lower extremity or they just produce more torque and power than the average golfer.

There are two standout performers in this category. The Sun Day Red Pioneer Cyprus is a good place to start. If you want something more sporty, you can go with the FootJoy Pro/SLX (or even Hyperflex).

And, finally, if you’re balling on a budget

Perhaps the question I get asked most often is, “What’s the best budget golf shoe I can buy?”

Check out our Best Golf Shoe buyer’s guides and then find some of the past season stuff that’s on sale. Something like the PUMA ALPHACAT NITRO or the adidas CODECHAOS 22 will suffice.

Tips and tricks

• Whenever possible, try on before you buy.
• Compare prices to ensure you’re getting the best possible deal
• Don’t be afraid to shop used. eBay is a great resource. I recommend trying on a pair in store, then seeing if you can source a gently used pair online.
• Set a realistic budget.