There is a lot of cool gear in the golf equipment world that doesn’t always fit neatly into Most Wanted Tests or Buyer’s Guides. You still want to know how it performs. In our We Tried It series, we put gear to the test and let you know if it works as advertised.
What We Tried
The ParLinx P-1.
Who Tried It
Ty. Soft Goods Testing Manager and 82-0.com fanatic. If you think you know more ball than me, you don’t.
ParLinx is a newcomer to the golf footwear space. They took a unique approach when designing the P-1. Can they keep up?
The good
The Parlinx P-1 fits like a sneaker and is as stable as they come.
The mid-top design provides additional stability and support to the ankles, serving a purpose for the golfer who likes to move fast and/or plays hilly courses. I’d compare the feel to that of a mid-top basketball shoe. If feeling secure is a top priority for you, the P-1 is a winner.
A carbon fiber plate was added as part of their “LINX-LAUNCH” technology, citing “stability throughout the swing + propulsion with every step.” Parlinx added a number of “LINX” labeled technologies, but the LINX LAUNCH was the clear winner in terms of actual performance.
Another fair comparison would be a wrestling shoe or a hiking boot. The Parlinx P-1 looks (and feels) like golf, basketball, hiking and wrestling had a shoe-baby (how’s that for a weird mental image?). If I were searching for a golf shoe that will outperform the elements for many seasons to come, I wouldn’t shy away from the P-1.
The traction keeps up with many other spikeless shoe models—made up of a plethora of y-shaped rubberized lugs. I didn’t notice any major slippage during multiple rounds with the P-1. The P-1 isn’t the best the industry has to offer but it’s far better than a lot within the golf shoe ecosystem.
The final win is four separate colorways.
The bad
A few things caught my attention.
The P-1 fits tight. I tried both the 11 and 11.5 and both were a bit too snug for my liking.
The 11 was extremely tight—to the point of being almost unbearable—while my usual 11.5 still felt cramped, especially around the heel. If you don’t like your shoes feeling restrictive, order a half size up from your normal size or avoid the P-1.
Secondly, the insole is made up of numerous ridges that are meant to support your feet.
This didn’t make the P-1 uncomfortable but it’s different than the typical golf insole. If you hate it, it’s removable, but that’s more money out of your pocket to replace what should come standard. If you enjoy patterned comfort on your insole, you might enjoy it. If you prefer a basic insole with no undulation, you won’t like what the P-1 offers.
Lastly, the $200 price tag is hefty for what you’re getting in return. For less than $200, you can acquire six of the top seven Best Spikeless Golf Shoes of 2026.
The P-1 is a significant step down from the winners but is a big leap from the worst of the worst. That being said, I’d be more comfortable recommending the P-1 at a price range of $130-$150—not $200.
Final thoughts
My final conclusion: The Parlinx P-1 is good but it’s no “super shoe.”
Parlinx touts a number of different technologies that make the P-1 stand out but there’s just too much going on to label the P-1 as a contender for one of the best golf shoes of 2026. For a debutant, it’s above average.
When I test new golf shoes, I look for things that make a round of golf better. These things might include:
- Better traction
- Plushy comfort
- Seamless fit
I got none of these.
As I mentioned, the traction wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great. The comfort is just fine and the fit was the worst of the three things I typically look for in a new golf shoe. Can you play good golf in the P-1? Absolutely, but you can play just as well in other shoes that fit better, feel more comfortable and offer exceptional traction.
If Parlinx can tighten up the comfort and improve the fit slightly, they will be a force to reckon with in the coming years but, for now, the P-1 gets lost in the void of average golf shoes.
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