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How much walking do you do on a golf course? If you answered ‘probably around the same as the scorecard yardage’, then you guessed wrong. It pays to factor in all of those little instances on a course. The eyeing of putting greens, the close observation of a golf ball’s lie, the walking back and forth to your golf bag. All of these things add to that walking distance total.
According to the statistics, a golfer will walk an average of 69% more than the actual scorecard yardage. If you’re on a 6,800 yard course, that means walking about 1.7 times the actual course distance - 11,560 yards. No wonder so many golfers make such a big deal about finding the most comfortable golf shoes for walking.
All golf shoe manufacturers will claim that their shoes are comfortable, but not all of them will actually rise up to that challenge. It takes more to make a comfortable pair of kicks than simply slapping ‘comfortable’ on the advertisement or product listing.
To make sure you buy nothing but the most comfortable shoes for the course, it would do you well to consider these objective elements of a shoe.
These two elements will typically go hand in hand in the realm of footwear. Cushioned insoles that contour to the natural arches of your feet will cradle the soft tissues and bone structure to prevent straining vulnerable muscles.
If cushions are too soft, then they can easily sink and depress under your weight. Therefore you will lose the form that makes them supportive in the first place. If they’re too stiff, they could dig into the bony prominences of your feet and cause calluses or pressure points. Ample padding is a must, but don’t forget about structural stability. You’ll want to find something between pillowy soft and unforgiving stiffness to get the best of both worlds.
It doesn’t matter how soft and plush the interiors are. Or how well the shoe holds against different sorts of terrain. If the uppers restrict your movement, you’re going to find yourself with achy feet at the end of the day. The most common culprit for unforgiving uppers is leather. Designed to be stiff and durable. The typical leather used for golf shoes can limit natural foot movement and even impact your performance on the course.
Soft pliable materials that adapt readily to the movements of your feet can promote natural foot motion. It will even improve energy transfer from your feet upwards through your arms. Materials like mesh and synthetics are all especially flexible, but new types of leather like yak can also be particularly forgiving. If a pair of golf shoes are stiff at the start, don’t toss them out just yet. Some materials will need a break in period to warm up to your movement.
When it comes to golf footwear, moisture control refers to both interior and exterior features. Interior moisture control wicks away sweat and controls temperatures to keep your feet well ventilated and cool throughout the game. Breathable material and moisture-wicking fabric can keep sweat production at bay. It also prevents moisture from soaking your socks and shoe interiors.
On the other hand, moisture control on the outside mostly refers to waterproofing. Golf courses will have lots of different hazards and types of terrain, making it possible for water to penetrate the shoes. As you might know, walking around in a waterlogged shoe isn’t exactly what you might call comfortable. Waterproof material and craftsmanship like one-piece uppers and reinforced foxing can hinder water from entering your shoe. Check out our guide for the best waterproof golf shoes for some great options.
Every time your foot falls to the ground during heel strike, a jolt of pressure is pushed through your heel upwards to your knees and hips. This initial shock can be particularly strong if you’re walking on a pair of shoes with stiff insoles. Or soles that allow the energy to resonate through without an attempt to dampen it. Over extended periods of time, this constant shock can impose stress on the joints of your feet and legs. This will result in pain and soreness after the game.
Shock absorbing shoes will dampen the impact of heel strike and prevent the jolt of energy from hurting your joints. The markers of shock absorption include responsive heel soles and heel gel or padding that works to cushion the landing of each stride.
When your shoes don’t grip the ground efficiently, your body is forced to compensate by adapting improper movement to maintain stability. The tendency is to ‘clench’ the foot, with the toes curled under and the soles of the feet arched to reduce the risk of slippage. Over a prolonged period of time, this compensation can cause tired, achy, and painful feet. This will all in all dampen the overall comfort experience.
Golf shoes can use a variety of features to improve traction. Some tout aggressive tread patterns that work the same way that tire treads do. Then there are others that use spikes to dig your soles into the dirt. This will keep your feet stable wherever you might stand.
The whole issue of spikes on golf shoes has always been a point of debate between golfers. On the one hand, spikeless shoes can help protect the turf from damage, which golf course management will recommend. Then there’s the issue of traction, where spiked golf shoes are typically more capable.
If you’re not certain what golf shoes will work best to marry comfort and environmental concern, it would help to consider the kind of courses you play on. Do you often find yourself playing on demanding terrain, like hilly courses and wet, muddy fairways and rough? Or are you typically playing on reasonable ground that doesn’t really pose the risk of a misstep?
To get the best of both worlds, there are golf shoes that incorporate removable spikes. These can be attached or detached from the soles, depending on the current situation you’re facing. They’re also ideal for players who don’t want to have to bring a change of shoes to the course. Simply remove the spikes on your way to and from the game so you can use the shoes as a pair of casual walking shoes for off of the course.
One of the things that makes the New Balance Striker Golf Shoes such a comfortable design is its FantomFit uppers. Developed by fusing two ultra-thin materials together, this technology promotes a second-skin fit that doesn’t burden the feet with excess weight. The result is a featherlight upper that hugs the feet for maximum movement accommodation. It’s also because of this distinct technology that the Striker Golf Shoes can resist the penetration of moisture. Without any seams, the dual layer material effectively shields the feet against external moisture.
Inside the shoes, a Cush+ insole provides unprecedented comfort and rebound. The revolutionary foam material cushions each landing and preserves energy to launch you off into your next step with minimal effort. Outside, an Exoskeleton TPU oustole and REVlite midsole readily adapt to your stride and step, flexing and bending to accommodate each foot motion so you can enjoy unencumbered movement as you walk through the course.
Dubbed the most comfortable spikeless golf shoes. The PUMA Grip Fusion Sport Golf Shoe sets itself apart with organic traction technology that keeps your feet stable and grounded with its intuitive spikeless technology. Using nature-inspired treads, the Grip Fusion Sport Golf Shoes incorporate directional nugs that hold your feet in place as you twist your body and take a stride. Made from flexible rubber, these soles also move and flex to match your movement, allowing unrestricted foot dynamics all throughout the course.
Aside from its intuitive outsole, the PUMA Grip Fusion Sport Golf Shoe also boasts FusionFoam insoles that are designed to absorb impact and cushion each step. As it saves the momentum of heel strike, the material works to launch your foot forward into the next stride to minimize your energy usage. For comfort, the FusionFoam conforms readily to the contours of the feet, hugging closely against the arches without sacrificing stability and support. Cradling each curve, these insoles work to reduce the chances of sore spots and calluses by mitigating pressure on bony areas.
Combining leather and knit fabric, the Skechers Elite 4 Prestige Relaxed Fit Golf Shoe marries comfort and durability. The forgiving material combination permits unhindered full range of motion, letting you step without restrictions. Treated with H2GO Shield technology, these uppers are covered by a 2 year waterproof warranty that promises to keep your feet protected from external moisture penetration on all sorts of golf course terrain. The Relaxed Fit design provides roomy comfort that doesn’t squeeze the feet for lack of space.
This is further enhanced by the feel of Ultra Flight cushioning that reduces pressure on the most vulnerable areas of the feet. High-performance Goga Mat insoles depress just enough with each step, and aim to preserve your energy to push you off into the next stride. With ample padding along the area of the heel, these insoles also prevent extensive, repeated pressure on the ankles, knees, and hips. Lastly, the shoe incorporates an intuitive Grip Flex outsole design that holds your feet in place across all sorts of challenging topography - without damaging the turf.
ECCO golf shoes are some of the most advanced on the market, using interesting technologies to provide excellence on the course. The Biom Hybrid 3 BOA Gore-Tex Golf Shoes combine ingenious convenience with durability and comfort to bring you a reliable pair that you can trust on any terrain. What makes the shoe particularly noteworthy is its BOA closure system. Using a dial that connects to a series of aircraft-grade stainless steel laces, users can achieve the perfect upper tightness to match their foot size and preferences for comfort.
The interior of the shoes are lined with plush padding and responsive cushioning that creates a barrier of protection around the feet, supporting contours while minimizing pressure spots for long-lasting comfort. The uppers themselves are designed with Biom Natural Motion technology that brings the user closer to the ground for more natural movement and better stability throughout the golf swing. Protected with Gore-Tex waterproofing and fitted with the brand’s intuitive traction technology, these shoes can go the distance and give you the confidence to tread even the toughest, roughest areas of the course.
The Adidas Tech Response Golf Shoe are a handsome looking pair of golf shoes that can pass off as a casual footwear choice for daily wear. The streamlined shoes tout classic adidas aesthetic, and boast microfiber leather and lightweight mesh uppers that work together to improve long-term durability for all sorts of course terrain. The featherlight construction hugs the feet with excellent reliability, and permits freedom of movement to max out your performance during the swing.
Breathable and cushioned, the Tech Response Golf Shoes use the brand’s proprietary lightweight Cloudfoam cushioning that lines almost every area of the shoes’ interior. This protects the feet from potential pressure points and sore spots, creating a barrier of comfort for bony protrusions along the ankles and soles of the feet. Low profile Thintech midsoles work to bring you closer to the ground for better feel and stability. This works with a six-spike Thintech outsole that helps you hold your ground and muster up power from the feet for explosive swing speed.
You walk way more on the golf course than you think. On average, a golfer will walk up to 1.7 times the actual distance of a course. Considering the yardage of the typical golf course these days, that’s going to be around 7 or 8 miles every time you play. No wonder your feet get so achy and sore after a day on the course.
Investing in the most comfortable golf shoes for walking won’t only keep away the pain, but might even help improve your performance all together. In our books, the New Balance Striker Golf Shoe comes out as the top performing comfort golf shoe money can buy. Plush on the inside, pliable on the outside, stable underneath, and waterproof all around, there’s not much else to look for in an all-around golf shoe for walking.
