Like most golf equipment and apparel, golf shoes are highly personal. Some players need a lot of structure and support, others prefer a lifestyle shoe that can transition seamlessly on and off the course. Some players like soft spikes, others prefer spikeless. Some like understated, muted tones, while others like their shoes to be a bright focal point of their ensemble. The list goes on!
But there’s one thing that we can all agree on, and that’s that golf shoes are a necessary piece of equipment, and finding the right pair can enhance your game — and life!
So if you’re in the market for a new pair of shoes — or are simply looking for a well-reviewed gift to give this holiday season — below, you’ll find the GOLF staff’s top picks for our favorite shoes of the year. There are various styles and price points to choose from, but there’s also one unifying factor: these shoes are loved for both their form and their function. Click on the links to learn more or start adding to your cart now.
The GOLF staff’s 9 favorite shoes of the yearSun Day Red Osprey
As a connoisseur of spikeless shoes, I’ve been very intrigued by Tiger Woods’ Sun Day Red’s first foray into the category. These are super comfortable, super stable spikeless shoes that truly are worth wearing off the course, which are tough to find. —Jack Hirsh
Sun Day Red Osprey
A versatile golf shoe that seamlessly transitions from office to course, combining performance materials with minimalist design for the modern golfer’s lifestyle.
Adidas Stan Smith
For a sneaker-style golf shoe, I keep returning to Adidas’ Stan Smith spikeless shoe. —Dylan Dethier
Adidas Stan Smith Spikeless Golf Shoes
A footwear icon updated for the course, these adidas Stan Smith Spikeless Golf Shoes combine heritage tennis court style with course-ready details for social rounds and beyond.
TRUE Linkswear All Day Knit
TRUE makes some awesome kicks that are comfy, cool, clean and perform. —Dylan Dethier
TRUE All Day Knit 3
The All Day Knit 3 was designed for your active lifestyle – from the links to everyday adventures. Built to be our most athletic fit to date, the Knit 3 was engineered to keep you comfortable, stable and moving.
The entirely redesigned Knit 3 offers everything you’ve come to love about our TRUE Knit family, just better. The all new Wanderlux® midsole offers more cushion than ever while the new All Day V2 rubber outsole offers extra deep grip for long term durability. Inspired by mountaineering soles, the directional grip is optimized for stability on uneven terrain on or off the course. Whether you’re lacing up for the office, taking the road less traveled, or simply finding your drive in the woods – the TRUE Knit 3 was designed to keep you adventuring, comfortably.
Features
TRUEknit Fully Breathable One-Piece Upper (90% Polyester, 10% Spandex)
TRUE (to you) Athletic and Stable Fit Forms to Your Foot Shape
One-Piece TRUEknit Upper Flexibly Conforms to Most Foot Shapes (D-EE)
Full Sock Fit Flexible Opening for Slide-In Comfort
NEW All Day V2 Sole
Anti-rub Heel Pad for Comfort right out of the box
Microsuede Heel Overlay for Added Stability
New Open Cell Antimicrobial Insert for Increased Breathability and Comfort
NEW Wanderlux® Midsole for Increased Comfort and Rebound
TOUR Tested & Approved
Extremely Lightweight – 9.1 oz. (Size 9 M)
Cross-Life Tread for Maximum Versatility and Grip
Transitional Drop (~6-8 mm)
Machine Washable
DWR Treated Upper
$169 from Fairway Jockey
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Malbon x New Balance
I keep seeing Malbon’s New Balance collab out in the wild. —Dylan Dethier
Malbon x New Balance 550 Golf Shoe
Available in varied colorways exclusive to Malbon, the New Balance 550 has become a global favorite.
If you’re looking for something with a little more traction or a slightly more classic look, it’s gonna be really hard to beat Footjoy’s Premiere series. —Dylan Dethier
FootJoy Premiere Series
A modern reimagining of our rich footwear history, supercharged with technology and innovation, and developed with the help of the world’s best players. It sets a new standard in golf footwear.
PAYNTR X 001 F
With pretty much anything I wear, I pay more attention to function than fashion. I don’t need my golf shoes to be flashy. They’re for walking, not gawking.
The Payntr X 001s I picked up earlier this year have been a dream shoe for me in large part because I barely notice them. I have bony heels and am susceptible to blisters. No problems there. The shoes are soft, comfy and lightweight. They also perform well, with a wide, stable feel and good waterproofing for the damp morning rounds I often play. And then there’s this: the last couple times I’ve hit my local muni, the younger, more fashion-forward guys I’ve been paired with have looked down at my feet and said, “Hey, are those Payntrs?” Seems they have something of a cool factor, too. —Josh Sens
PAYNTR X 001 F (Men’s)
CLARINO™️ microfiber upper
NEVERWET™️ superhydrophobic treatment
Durable TPU outsole
Graphite power plate
Dual Density PMX Foam™️ midsole
ORTHOLITE™️ footbed
*12 ounces per half pair size 9
$160 from Fairway Jockey
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Payntr Golf All Day SC
My favorite golf shoes out there, Payntr has a ton of options that are both country club sleek and muni casual (my words), but all that means for you is they have enough styles so you can dress like a tour pro or wear models that look more like a casual sneaker. Both are comfortable and look sharp. Give Payntr a chance and you won’t go back. —Josh Berhow
All Day SC
CLARINO microfiber upper delivers lightweight support and flexibility.
WATERPROOF+ & breathable membrane fused to the lining and sealed with a waterproof bottom gasket.
ARIAPRENE® tongue offers supreme foot lockdown to provide maximum stability and lightweight, breathable support.
TPU Outsole, with Fast Twist insert system, delivers traction in three dimensions for the shoe’s life.
ORTHOLITE Footbed, designed to compress less than 5%, ensures that cushioning, fit, and comfort never change.
PMX Nitro+ Midsole is engineered to provide maximum energy return, giving you the ultimate underfoot support.
PMX SPEED PLT propulsion plate allows golfers to harness ground reaction forces more effectively.
$180 from Fairway Jockey
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Duca del Cosma Licata
Last year, I tested a pair of Duca Del Cosma shoes that I absolutely loved. While planning for this year’s summer trip, I wanted a shoe that looked elevated but was still comfortable, and that was neutral enough to go with just about anything. Duca delivered yet again, with the Licata — a waterproof, stylish yet understated shoe that I wore absolutely everywhere with nary a blister or soreness of any kind. My favorite part? The contrast laces keep the shoes looking clean. A sweet bonus when you’re on the road. —Jessica Marksbury
Duca Del Cosma Licata
Waterproof, comfortable, and providing exceptional grip during your swing. These lightweight golf sneakers will have you ready for 18 holes and beyond.
Adidas Gazelle
My favorite golf shoe characteristic is its ability to function as a lifestyle shoe off the course, and it really doesn’t get any more lifestyley than these awesome Adidas Gazelles. I have two pairs, and wear them everywhere. And as an added bonus: they’re just as comfortable without socks as they are with. —Jessica Marksbury
Adidas Gazelle Spikeless Golf Shoes
All the details of the original sneakers plus cushioning and traction for extended comfort on the course.
As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of female varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everyone on the masthead. She can out-hustle them in the office, too, where she’s primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s inaugural Style Issue, which debuted in February 2018. Her original interview series, “A Round With,” debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in both in the magazine and in video form on GOLF.com.
