Spiked Versus Spikeless Golf Shoes: Which Should You Wear?

If you haven’t seriously considered which golf shoes you should be wearing, this one’s for you.

There are two types of golf shoes: spiked and spikeless. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Which should you wear?

Spikeless

Many spikeless options offer the ability to wear them on and off the golf course. Some will feature a robust traction pattern on the bottom that makes off-course wear less practical but many will look similar to sneakers or casual shoes.

While it’s convenient to wear them to and from the course, spikeless shoes in general will lack the traction to keep up with aggressive swings.

Cushioning is completely dependent on design. There are spiked and spikeless golf shoes that feel like stepping into a pair of comfortable slippers. On the flip side, there are options in both categories that will perform poorly here.

Our testers have been especially impressed by the comfort that the Alma Mater Beta Lite offers with one noting that “it’s so comfortable that you’ll forget you even have it on.”

If you’re new to golf or looking for something that can offer a mix of performance and convenience with a definite emphasis on the latter, click the link below to see our full spikeless shoe rankings for 2026.

Spiked

If you’re consistently playing golf in the rain or on slippery surfaces in general, a spiked option may be better for your game. Additionally, those with high swing speeds may want to consider spikes. Some spikeless golf shoes can keep up but most spiked options will perform better from an overall traction perspective.

I’ve tried spiked golf shoes that had diminished comfort and I’ve worn other spiked models that felt much better on my feet such as the NIKE Victory Pro 4. Each design is unique with its own wins and pitfalls.

If traction is your top priority, consider a spiked golf shoe. If you’re on the fence and want to learn more about the best spiked options on the market, click the link below to view the Best Spiked Golf Shoes of 2026.