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As the most common cause of heel pain, plantar fasciitis affects around 10% of the population. In the United States alone, there are roughly two million people receiving treatment for the painful pedal condition. Methods for addressing the issue range widely - from medication to adaptation of footwear choices. According to experts, with the right pair of shoes, an individual suffering from plantar fasciitis might very well resume regular, routine activities - even sports.
If your golfing gig has had to take a back seat to a bad case of heel pain, a pair of the best golf shoes for plantar fasciitis might get you back on the green in no time. But what makes a good golf shoe for this specific situation? Find out with our comprehensive guide.
There’s a lot more to shoes than most people are aware of. And that’s why it’s easy to fall into a purchase that won’t necessarily do what’s best for your feet. In the case of plantar fasciitis, it’s imperative that you consider a few key aspects to guarantee the mitigation of pain for uninterrupted performance on the course.
The plantar fascia extends from the heel to the toes, and inflames when subjected to excessive strain injury. Providing ample support at the arch and heel can keep the plantar fascia properly protected against mechanical stress. This typically occurs when the arch over pronates.
Anatomically engineered arch and heel support should be the top priority with any golf shoe for plantar fasciitis. In your search, it also helps to know whether you’ve got normal, fallen, or high arches. This will help to determine what type of arch support will best cradle the natural contours of your feet.
The area of the midfoot is the most prone to overwork since it’s also the softest area along the soles of the feet. Thick, plush midfoot cushioning reduces impact on the heel during the gait cycle, working to protect the plantar fascia during the most painful part of walking.
Plush padding along the length of the insoles - especially in the area of the midfoot - paired with a rigid outsole creates a rocking motion that optimizes weight transfer as you walk for reduced strain on your sensitive plantar fascia.
The heel counter is the wall surrounding the ankle, and should ideally be firm and rigid. According to experts, this aspect of the shoe can help prevent the abnormal stretching of the plantar fascia. In combination with a plush heel cushion, a rigid heel counter can significantly reduce pain resulting from plantar fasciitis.
Take a look at the soles of your feet and you’ll find that there’s very little flesh surrounding the bones. During heel strike through to toe off, these bony areas are exposed to pressure. Which means this is why we often have calluses on our feet. For someone with plantar fasciitis, the process of bearing weight on these bony areas against a hard surface can result to significant pain.
A golf shoe that brings soft, cushioned impact should be the ideal choice. Plush padding inside the shoe along the insole can diminish the discomfort of walking. Be careful though - there should be limits. A shoe that’s too soft can sacrifice support. It loses its hold on the arches of the feet as the material depresses under your weight.
Just as there are qualities of a golf shoe that can make it a good choice for plantar fasciitis, there are also qualities that can aggravate the pain. Before you dive into that purchase, make sure to look out for these potentially painful properties.
Shoes that squeeze your forefoot towards the center can be exceedingly painful for people with plantar fasciitis. If you’ve got wide feet, opt for a wide version of the shoe you’re buying. Better yet, a pair of lace-ups allow the opportunity for fine-tuned fit every time.
A gel insert or a padded cushion in the area of the heel diminishes the impact of heel strike, reducing the pain across the entire sole. Shoes that have poorly cushioned heel areas can be stiff and firm against the foot, causing the impact of heel strike to resonate more powerfully throughout the entire sole.
When a shoe’s uppers move with your feet, you’re better able to adapt a normal gait cycle. Stiff uppers that restrict too much of your natural movement can prevent weight transfer from heel to toe during each step. The result is severely reduced foot mobility that induces a flat stepping motion - more like you’re marching rather than walking.
With uppers engineered out of smooth full-grain leather, the Skechers Mojo Waterproof Golf Shoes are designed for maximum pliability. These golf shoes deliver waterproof performance packed in ultra-lightweight construction that’s easy on the feet. Inside, the shoes come through with a support saddle that promotes unshakable lateral stability, ensuring proper foot alignment as you navigate the course.
The cushioned insole uses Skechers’ Resamax technology. This unique insole design promotes a comfortable, well-supported step as the material hugs the contours of your feet. This in effect manages weight distribution to prevent the delicate arches from being overworked and stretched. Underneath the shoes, a flexible rubber outsole features GRIPFLEX technology keeping you grounded even without any spikes.
The Adidas Adipower Forged Golf Shoe brings a slightly raised toe box. This streamlines the step cycle, rocking your foot from heel to toe for reduced pressure throughout your soles. The leather and textile uppers are durable yet pliable, delivering excellent flexibility straight out of the box. Together, these two components work to optimize foot mobility for reduced stress on your soles.
To foster a comfortable step, the Adipower Forged Golf Shoes incorporate a flexible Bounce forefoot insole. This preserves the momentum of heel strike, transferring energy towards the toes for effortless lift-off with each new stride. At the middle of the insole, a comfortable, plushly padded Boost midsole supports the arch and minimizes stress on the vulnerable areas of the foot.
Bundled with a 1-year waterproof warranty, the Callaway Chev Comfort II Golf Shoes use flexible leather uppers that aren’t only impervious to moisture, but also accommodating of movement. The rugged construction comes together with an equally flexible rubber outsole, delivering reliable traction across all sorts of golf course terrain.
What makes the Callaway Chev Comfort II shoes particularly stand-out for plantar fasciitis sufferers is that it comes with the Callaway Comfort Insert that offers a pillowy soft impact feel that significantly dampens the vibration of heel strike. This paves the way for a comfortable step that reduces the pressure and stress on the delicate soft tissues and bony areas of your soles.
Lightweight and breathable, the FootJoy Flex Golf Shoes tout performance mesh uppers that offer unrestricted air flow and flexibility. Soft against the skin, this material responds readily to the movements of your feet, accommodating flexion and extension to normalize your step cycle. Together with a supportive yet well-cushioned EVA midsole, these shoes significantly reduce plantar fasciitis pain for extended periods of play.
Beneath the shoe construction is a seemingly modest tread pattern. But these Versa-Trax outsoles were designed for sturdy, reliable hold on all sorts of surfaces, giving you excellent stability wherever the course might take you. The best part? These soles offer wear-to-the-course versatility, letting you do away with the change of footwear so you can make your way to the course in the same sturdy pair.
The warm style of the ECCO Biom Hybrid 3 Gore-Tex Golf Shoes can attract any fashionable golfer. But more than their appealing silhouette, these shoes bring unrivaled comfort that embraces the foot. The soft interior is easy on the skin and depresses just enough to cushion your landing. Embedded underneath the insoles however is a reliable anatomical rigid midsole for precise arch support.
Engineered for perfect fit, the ECCO golf shoes offer Biom Natural Technology that accurately adapts to the movement of your feet for unrestricted motion as you swing and walk. The yak leather uppers are extremely durable, yet lightweight and flexible, accommodating your step for a truly low-pressure fit.
Plantar fasciitis shouldn’t be the end of your golfing stint. With the kind of footwear technology available today, the best golf shoes for plantar fasciitis can ease the pain and have you playing like a pro in their prime.
Keep in mind though that not all shoes are intended for the golf game. As you learn the specifics and discover what’s good for your feet and what might exacerbate your pain, you become better equipped to choose the right pair to take with you on the course.
