Golfers have all sorts of things in their heads during a round, from their swing to scores and memories of shots (great and not so great) gone by.
One thing players should never be worried about, though, is their choice of footwear letting them down on the course. In fact, it shouldn’t even enter their minds – and if they make the right choice when it comes to buying a new pair, it never will.
Players will get through an awful lot of steps during any given round (more if you’re slapping the ball left and right every time, trust us), and finding the right pair for them can help provide players with great comfort and provide assurance.
There’s the weather we’ve got to think about, too. Sadly, the fairways won’t be rock hard and firm all year round. As the winter creeps in and things get a little boggy underfoot, picking the right footwear isn’t just preferred, it’s essential to keeping players from slipping and injuring themselves.
What to consider when buying a set of winter golf shoes
There are a number of key factors to consider when going for a new set of shoes, and different players will prioritise different factors on an individual basis.
First off, stability and grip provided by either spiked or spikeless shoes is going to be paramount to performance as the weather turns.
For many, though, style is king and pulling on a pair of shoes that express individual style can be the most telling factor when it comes to buying a new pair.
Then, of course, there is the matter of price. Investing in a more expensive pair will help players add a staple to their setup which will last years – but there are plenty of cheaper options out there too.
How we tested winter golf shoes
We took pairs out for our usual weekly rounds, testing them on and off the course in situations like the driving range and clubhouse where possible, to see how they transitioned into more casual settings.
Here are our picks for the best winter golf shoes on the market right now across a number of price points.
Best winter golf shoes to buy at a glance:
