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Overpronation - or simply flat feet - can weigh down terribly on athletic performance. And so it’s no wonder why there’s an entire sub-market in the athletic gear industry that’s dedicated to catering to players with flat feet. Sports that demand lots of involvement from your feet can be particularly challenging for people with fallen arches - and golf is one of them.
You’re probably here because your overpronation problem has started to interfere with your game. Aside from dampening performance, it’s not unlikely that your flat feet have also resulted to all sorts of pain. What’s a golfer to do? Simple - buy a pair of the best golf shoes for flat feet, of course.
Fact: low handicap golfers have been found to generate more torque at the back of the feet. That’s only because most of the force of the swing rises up through your foundation on the ground. That’s plain and simple golfing biomechanics. So what’s the takeaway here? The support you provide your feet can and will impact your performance on the course.
There are all sorts of golf shoes out there, but don’t be confused. Here are the tell-tale signs of a pair you can rely on to support your flat feet:
This is the big issue in the first place. The reason why typical, non-specific shoes can be such a pain to wear is because they’re not designed to properly support your arches.
A fallen arch will droop low to the ground, causing the ankle to move inward and thus resulting to altered weight distribution. A proper shoe should target all of those issues, gently raising the fallen arch so the weight is evenly spread across the balls, heels, and outer borders of the feet.
Studies have found that golfers who are capable of producing a tighter twisting motion from the feet are capable of producing a more explosive swing. Ultimately, that will depend on how well you’re grounded. A shoe with proper traction should keep you stable on your feet and give you better grip against the terrain.
Golf shoe’s will often have aggressive tread patterns with cleats that allegedly work to keep you grounded even against challenging, moist, or uneven terrain. But they don’t all work. Don’t be fooled by flashy looks - a reliable pair of golf shoes should tout a tread pattern that resists slippage.
The biggest issue with flat feet is that they can be painful. So a pair of golf shoes that cradles your feet can extend your endurance on the course. Pliable uppers that conform to the movements of your feet can feel like a second skin instead of a restrictive cage. Breathable material like padded synthetics or even breathable mesh can also help keep your feet cool for extended periods of noon-time play.
Experts have found that your feet can grow up to a half size after a whole day of walking around and even a full size when running. So try to delay your purchase until the end of the day when your feet have adjusted to avoid purchasing a pair that’s too snug for the course.
There are tons of golf shoes out there, and some manufacturers will slap on a claim just to make a sale. So be careful who you believe when buying a pair of golf shoes for flat feet. But to make doubly sure you don’t end up with a pair that might exacerbate your pedal pains, here are some factors worth keeping an eye out for.
It doesn’t matter how well-designed the insoles of a pair of shoes are - if the fit isn’t right, they won’t do the job. The problem with shoes that are too wide is that they leave room for your feet to roll where they’re not supposed to. Remember that flat feet lack the natural ability to fine-tune weight distribution on their own, and they will return to their pathological position without proper support.
A shoe that’s too wide will cause your feet to move towards the inner border of the space, putting your feet in an even more awkward position. For narrow shoes, the issue is just the opposite. As the material squeezes your feet, they can alter the distribution of weight and apply painful pressure to sensitive areas.
What good is an insole if it won’t provide support? While it’s nice to step in a pair of shoes that’s easy on the feet, insoles that are made from materials that are too soft can flatten with time. The result? A pair of shoes without any arch support all together. What you’ll want is some semblance of structure to keep your arch in proper position throughout the game, and for many months down the line.
A pair of leather golf shoes can look pretty stylish, but don’t let fashion override function. Stiff leather might be particularly long-wearing, but they also require a pretty long break-in period. Not to mention the fact that they will often retain some of that stiffness to restrict your foot movements on the course.
Although not explicitly advertised as a shoe for fallen arches, the Adidas Adizero Sport II Golf Shoe has earned itself quite the reputation among flat footed golfers. This hidden gem features waterproof uppers are made from breathable mesh and synthetic, fitted with a durable rubber outsole and aggressive tread patterns for traction.
The fit can be exceedingly comfortable, and the gentle outward sloping of the insoles can prove to be substantially supportive for mild to moderate overpronation. This helps keep the foot in proper alignment and promotes even weight distribution to minimize the stress on your arches.
Designed for comfort, these New Balance Striker leather shoes tout the brand’s proprietary Cush+ Insole - a responsive insole foam material that responds and contours to the shape of your feet for a soft yet supported step. This works in combination with the FantomFit uppers and RevLite midsoles that make the shoes fit like a lightweight, flexible, and breathable second skin.
And for traction, these shoes brandish the Exoskeleton TPU outsole design that improves grip for a more explosive swing. The aggressively textured outsoles dig deep into the soil to lay the groundwork for a tighter twist and thus greater swing output.
Formed with the help of an anatomical last, the ECCO Biom Hybrid 3 Gore-Tex Golf Shoe is big on comfort, helping you move with precision. Its uppers and sole construction pay close attention to natural foot movements, providing ample support by way of its BIOM Natural Motion Technology.
To put things simply, this innovation brings you closer to the ground, giving you stable foundation to help you maximize the power of your swing as you dig your feet into the dirt.
Made with premium knit uppers, the Adidas TOUR360 Knit Golf Shoes are both breathable and stylish. The resistant material contours readily to the shape of your feet with zero break in time, letting you enjoy the full comfort that the knit has to offer straight out of the box.
Inside, the shoe features an updated TPU top plate that helps to provide greater stability as you drive the force from your heel all the way up your arms. And to provide even better performance, the TOUR360 incorporates the brand’s torsion tunnel that allows independent flexibility between the forefoot and heel for maximum smash factor.
The waterproof FootJoy Contourfit Golf Shoes look like the quintessential pair, touting classic golf shoe aesthetic with a contemporary twist. For people with fallen arches, these shoes offer improved sole support by way of a strategically located Achilles pad that works to keep your feet secure and free from the discomfort of internal movement. This doesn’t only improve comfort, but also keeps your feet in place throughout the swing cycle.
Outside, these shoes boast a Dynaflex outsole that digs your feet into the ground for stability on the swing. Lightweight and responsive, these shoes minimize the restrictions of your feet to keep you in control throughout the entire course.
It’s true - your feet play a bigger role in your golfing success than you might comprehend. And with a pair of fallen arches, you might find that it becomes exceedingly more important to invest in the best golf shoes for flat feet.
Designed to help distribute weight, minimize pain, and support your swing, these shoes can do much more than prevent those aching arches at the end of a long day on the course. They may very well be the difference between a birdie and a bogey. So before you hit the green again, take some time to check your shoes. They might just be the reason for your high handicap play.
