Is This Premium Golf Shoe Any Good?

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 Duca Del Cosma Davinci golf shoes. Premium spikeless golf shoes that aim to blend fashion and function.

Who Tried It:

Connor. Director of Content and resident sneakerhead. I’m a sucker for leather. Yes, I’m a bit of a snob. And, no, leather isn’t always better. There’s just something about the smell of a brand-new pair of leather shoes that speaks to me. Bottle it up and sell it at Bath and Body Works, please!

Premium Versus Performance

Duca Del Cosma is known for taking classic golf silhouettes and upgrading them with premium leathers. The Davinci is no different. This blucher-style shoe features a full Italian leather upper atop a rubber spikeless outsole.

While I tend to prefer premium shoes for my personal use, I’ve often had trouble finding a premium pair that matches the performance of the typical synthetic stuff.

It’s not that leather isn’t a good performer; it’s often just heavier. This has been the case with every Duca Del Cosma shoe I’ve tried to this point. Heavy doesn’t necessarily mean bad but it can be clunky.

Let’s dive into my experience with the Duca Del Cosma Davinci and find out if this premium shoe is a true performer.

The Good

Let’s start with the good. There’s a good amount to like about the Davinci. The leather upper is soft and flexible, so it moves with your foot. That’s a win. The insole is robust and seems very durable. It’s on the firmer side but the density should make it last longer than a typical cheap foam.

I also found the Davinci to be pretty stable. It’s plenty rigid in the midsection of the shoe so it prevents twisting and handles the torque of the swing quite well.

The Average

I mentioned the insole being firmer. This makes the Davinci shoe less than ideal for longer walks. That is, of course, unless you really love a firm cushion setup.

I prefer something a little more plush with a little bit more “forgiveness.” Overall, the comfort is decent. The leather upper is flexible (as mentioned) so it’s not restrictive and doesn’t pinch. I just worry that the actual cushion itself doesn’t provide enough shock absorption to keep the knees feeling nice after 36 holes.

That is to say that if I was going to wear the Davinci on a regular basis, I’d rather ride than walk.

Room to Improve

I wouldn’t call the traction bad. But it’s not very good, either. There are a lot of nubs, sure, but I’ve found that symmetrical traction patterns like that on the Davinci aren’t as effective as those that are asymmetrical.

When all of the nubs line up in a row, they essentially become one singular point of traction whereas nubs that are spaced less evenly and more randomly provide multiple points of traction.

The giant “C” logo in the middle of the forefoot is not necessary, either. I understand why it’s there (branding) but it takes up space that could have been used for more traction lugs.

In dry conditions, you can get away with it but in wet conditions I don’t know that I’d trust this. I’d rather rock the spiked Duca Del Cosma Bernardo in that case.

That last thing I’ll mention is the weight. The Davinci is on the heavier side. Over time, the weight of the shoe may start to take its toll.

Premium Materials, Middling Performance

Overall, the Davinci is a middle-of-the-road golf shoe made from fantastic materials. It’s serviceable and definitely passable on the golf course. That said, it’s not among the favorite shoes I’ve worn recently. Those spots are reserved for shoes with a little more comfort and a little better traction.

If you’re looking for something fashionable, premium and functional enough? The Davinci is the shoe for you.

This article was written in partnership with Duca Del Cosma