Best Golf Shoes 2025

Golf shoes are probably one of the most under-rated items in terms of importance, with it easy to overlook just how essential shoes are in order to be able to play our best golf. Think about it, our feet are the only point of contact we have with the ground as we make our swing. Therefore, it's vital that we find a pair of golf shoes that not only provide comfort, but stability, grip and great looks as we tackle the golf course.

Because there are so many brands on the market, it can be difficult to pinpoint a specific model. For example, are you after a spiked or spikeless pair, or perhaps a sneaker-style that can be worn both on and off the golf course.

Along with the grip, you obviously want the comfort but, if a shoe is comfortable, you may be sacrificing its waterproof protection so it's crucial that you take all of this into consideration before investing your hard-earned cash.

In this piece, we have taken a look through the best golf shoes currently on the market, with the likes of Puma, adidas, Nike and FootJoy all tested by the Golf Monthly team. Splitting this section into spiked and spikeless, there should be a model for you.

The Quick List

Best Golf Shoes

Spikeless Models

Best spikeless

The new Drive Pro SL has been redesigned with extensive help from world-renowned Biomechanist, JJ Rivet, as well as the brand’s most high profile Tour player Jordan Spieth. We had to wait two years for the update to this model but, based on our testing, we would say it was definitely worth the wait!

In terms of the technology, there have been some pretty significant changes made. The main tech story is an all encompassing Swing Support System which covers everything from traction and the HOVR midsole, all the way up to a new lacing system. There is also a new hybrid outsole which provides a firmer feel, plus a redesigned nub system that sees a range of different height nubs to provide more grip and ground penetration.

It didn't take us long in testing to discover that these are amongst the best spikeless shoes on the market. At just 12oz they are one of the more lightweight offerings out there, while the new grip was more than ample for a spikeless shoe. Overall we have to say that the performance was faultless, as the new Swing Support System kept our foot firmly planted on the ground while providing support in the key areas.

• Read our full Under Armour Drive Pro SL Golf Shoe Review

Best outsole

Earning the best outsole accolade, the Codechaos 25 has seen a new redesign, with the lugs being placed over a greater surface area than on the previous iteration of the shoe. In testing, we could really feel it at work and we would comfortably class it as one of the only spikeless shoes that can be worn 'all year round'.

Looks-wise, we're happy to report that the wacky colors we know and love on the previous Codechaos' have remained, with neon green and pink accents used on the outsole providing a touch of flare and pizzazz!

Performance-wise, the shoes are fully waterproof and clean really easily. Along with the protection, we must note that the feeling underfoot through the insole and midsole is certainly firmer than that of other spikeless shoes but, overall, it's still an incredibly comfortable model that performs excellently.

• Read our full adidas Codechaos 25 Golf Shoe Review

Most comfortable

To begin with, the overall comfort of the Quantum is incredible and really backs up FootJoy's claims of 'Cloud Like Comfort'. How, you may ask? Well, it primarily comes from the Ortholite Impression FitBed, which provides step-in comfort and moulds over time to the shape of your foot for what eventually becomes a 'customized' fit.

Along with the FitBed, FootJoy has provided the shoe with plenty of cushioning underfoot, as well as SofFoam technology in and around the heel. In testing, it provided an unbelievably cushioned ride and we could feel it working as we walked along the terrain and throughout the golf swing.

Admittedly, with the lack of comfort, the stability has been slightly compromised but, thanks to the clean, classic and smart looks and incredible cushioning, the Quantum really is a top performer.

• Read our full FootJoy Quantum Golf Shoe Review

Best looking

Straight off the bat, the Gallivan2r is unanimously one of the best looking golf shoes we have seen in the past decade! This shoe blends everything that's great about the classic design of the G/FORE Gallivanter and the sportiness of the G/FORE MG4+ to spawn an immediate classic.

There's an awful lot to like about this shoe other than just the stunning aesthetic though. Ample comfort comes from a dimpled insole and 3D molded heel cup that helped keep our foot in place when swinging the club on the course, whilst the padding around the heel area meant there were no signs of rubbing, which is always important as blisters are a sure fire way to ruin a round of golf.

Where we think this model sets itself up to be unique though is with the outsole. It has an integrated rubber cleat system, featuring 13 on each shoe, all of which are set at the same height. We would say that they certainly provided a decent amount of grip, but there are definitely more grippier models on the market. Finally, it's worth pointing out that the brand have opted for TPU upper materials rather than the full grain leather we see on some of the best G/Fore golf shoes, so consequently the Gallivan2r is fully waterproof.

• Read our full G/FORE Gallivan2r Golf Shoe Review

Best value

Offering golfers a fabulous looking sneaker style golf shoe that can be worn on and off the golf course, the new S2G SL is based off a running shoe design which is where the modern, sporty silhouette comes from.

As we have given these the best value tagline, we need to talk about the cost. The S2G GL have an RRP of £90, which instantly puts them amongst the best budget golf shoes, especially as they're coming from a reliable brand like adidas. Of course there are cheaper options out there, but we feel that as a total package (plus being able to wear them away from the course) it's very difficult to find a better value option.

Another good feature is the implementation of Lightstrike technology through the midsole, something which we usually see in the spiked models from adidas. When it comes to comfort, we found it to be a much wider fit than other adidas golf shoes, so it does indeed fit true to size and it's a good option for golfers with wide feet.

• Read our full adidas S2G SL Golf Shoe Review

Best sneaker

Golfers are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to the best Nike golf shoes. The brand has countless stylish models available to purchase and every year the collection grows. We could have selected any number of Nike shoes for this guide, but we have opted to go with the Air Jordan Low 1 G golf shoe as we feel it provides a sneaker-style that many golfers will absolutely adore.

The Low 1 G is a stitch-for-stitch reconstruction of the standard Air Jordan 1 shoe, meaning it benefits from full leather materials and an encapsulated air unit in the heel of the shoe for added comfort. After using these shoes solidly for a month, our tester stated that: "I never came off the course after 18 holes with aching feet or legs".

Of course some modifications need to made to make shoes suitable for use on the golf course, and Nike's engineers have adjusted the outsole of this shoe to include a forefoot pivot circle to provide extra traction on one of the most vital areas of the foot during the golf swing. One last point to make is that, although it performed well in wet conditions, we would recommend other models to it.

• Read our full Nike Air Jordan Low 1 G Golf Shoe Review

Best off course

Everyone loves a pair of versatile golf shoes and, for this section, we have opted for the Ecco Street 720s, which are 'designed to be worn all day and night, it offers big city vibes with a birdie mentality.'

Looks-wise, the modern design can be worn with pretty much anything. What's more, we think that Ecco has done the right thing by eliminating almost all the branding and keeping it subtle. That’s not to say these are a dull-looking shoe, there are some neat design touches that make for a modern and versatile silhouette.

Performance-wise, we wouldn't recommend wearing this in winter as we found the Street 720s marked easily and were difficult to clean. However, thanks to plenty of cushioning and a Gore-Tex construction, it is very breathable and fully waterproof.

• Read our full Ecco Street 720 Golf Shoe Review

Spiked Models

Best spiked

It's hard to believe that the flagship performance golf shoe from adidas has been around for two decades. The latest edition has benefitted from a complete redesign from the inside out, with new technology being introduced into the familiar, well loved silhouette.

One of the changes from the previous model is that the moulded spikes issue has been addressed and removable spikes have been introduced. The Tour360 is always one of the best spiked golf shoes in its class and the newest release is arguably the best yet.

One of the stand out features is a new 'T-Shape' suede microfiber heel, which is a three-piece construction that combines a soft, anti-abrasive sandwiched textile running from the inside heel to the top of the collar. We feel that this gives a softer feel than the previous shoe based on our testing, while also offering improved comfort and durability. The insole has also been reshaped too, and we could instantly feel more arch and heel support which again provides a boost in comfort and performance.

• Read our full adidas Tour360 24 Golf Shoe Review

Best support

As with the SL version of the Drive Pro, this shoe features the same Swing Support System - otherwise known as S3. The difference between the two is pretty simple - the SL is spikeless whereas this version has nine spikes on the sole to provide incredible grip.

The spikes are a combination of two designs. Five of the nine are the new Soft Spike Tour Flex Pro, whilst the remaining four are the S3. As mentioned above, renowned bio-mechanist JJ Rivet developed these shoes and the spikes are a vital part of what he was trying to achieve. Rivet wanted them turned precisely 10° clockwise to hit a precise angle of slip that he wanted to resist. Our experience in testing confirm that Rivet is certainly onto something as they worked faultlessly. We were able to keep our foot planted to the ground throughout the swing whilst there was plenty of foot support in the key areas.

One last new addition we liked is the lacing system and the lightweight feel (it weighs just 12oz). The Pro shoe performed very well in testing and when it comes to performance we have nothing but positive things to say. As for negatives, well the only thing that comes to mind is that we weren't especially keen on the the writing on the side of the shoe.

• Read our full Under Armour Drive Pro Golf Shoe Review

Best firm feel

Nike golf shoes are among some of the best around and you'll see them represented strongly in the professional game with the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka and Rory McIlroy donning them. The Victory Tour 3 is the shoe of choice for McIlroy and it is one of our favorites too.

We loved the Victory Tour 2 shoes but, with Tour 3, Nike have taken everything that made that shoe great and improved the performance further. We were so impressed in testing that it earned the full five stars in our review.

Nike have stitched a Zoom Air unit directly to the upper which delivered exceptional feel, while the foam at the heel was nice and cushioned, making them some of the best golf shoes for walking in. The aesthetics have also been improved in several subtle ways and, in terms of comfort, we found that the internal strap on the inside of the shoe contours to your feet nicely, while there is extra padding around the ankle too.

• Read our full Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 Golf Shoe Review

Best traction

Next up we have the 87 SC shoe from Payntr, a design you might have seen on the feet of Jason Day. In fact the name comes from his lucky number and overall this is a complete shoe that we loved in testing.

First we liked the refined looks along with the subtle detailing, such as the golf elements and overall silhouette. This isn’t a loud shoe, but we think the classy styling puts it up against some clean silhouettes like the G/FORE Gallivan2r G/Lock, FootJoy Premiere Series Field or the Adidas MC80.

The star of the show though was the traction, as the SC can battle it out with any shoe on the market in this regard. This is thanks to two main design elements. First the carbon fibre propulsion plate situated just above the outsole is the real stand-out performer of this shoe. Running the full length of the shoe, it allowed us to effectively harness the ground during the swing and the rebound felt through the outsole was excellent, when hitting shots and generally walking. The other element to mention are the seven Soft Spikes Tour Flex Pro spikes which further aids the traction and grip. The foot locks closely but comfortably in place across the tongue area and the heel, giving that classic locked-in sensation.

• Read our full Payntr Eighty Seven SC Golf Shoe Review

Best low profile

The Phantomcat Nitro from Puma boasts one of the most unique outsoles we've ever seen. This is thanks to a brand-new Flexspike integrated cleat featuring some flash colors. This is the first time that we have seen it on Puma's golf shoes and we enjoyed the look and performance on offer.

The spikes are designed to increase surface contact with the ground and improve weight distribution across the foot. The grip performed exceptionally, especially on the wet and muddy days we tested them on.

Because of the change to the sole, Puma's engineers have made the Phantomcat Nitro lighter and, as the sub-heading suggests, lower in profile. What's more, there is plenty of value to be had here, especially as the brand has introduced a new nitrogen-infused foam into the shoe which provides great softness and rebound, both when walking and hitting shots. In our testing we noted that the low profile spiked outsole worked well and will provide all year round wearability.

• Read our full Puma Phantomcat Nitro Golf Shoe Review

How we test golf shoes

Our golf shoe testing methodology is based on putting models to a thorough test over a number of rounds and in different weather conditions. By doing it this way we gain a much better idea of the overall performance of the product in terms of factors like comfort, grip, stability, waterproofing and how they actually look on the golf course. It is important to stress that each of the shoes listed above has been personally used by a member of the Golf Monthly team. We believe that this is the best way of testing a golf shoe as using it in the real world over a number of weeks allows us to see how they perform when variables change like the weather, ground conditions, different stances and lies, and so on.

This also gives us information on the little details too. So for example, some brands may come up smaller or larger than others. Other models might start to rub a bit too much after 36 holes, while we can also identify which designs can be used off the golf course and for the drive home.

Finally, at Golf Monthly we are very comprehensive in our tests to the point where we will regularly attend product launches and meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to understand the new technology. That isn't to say manufacturers can buy a good review, as all our reviews are made by golfers, for golfers.

How to choose the best golf shoe

There are a number of factors to consider when picking out your next pair of golf shoes so to help you narrow down your search and inform your buying decision, below we have put together some key points.

Getting the right fit

When picking out golf shoes getting the right fit is important because otherwise, blisters can build up which is an instant round killer. Alternatively, your feet may slide around inside, which limits your stability.

When it comes to the right fit it is also worth considering different laces. Normal laces are good for most but for some golfers, BOA-laced shoes provide more convenient fastening and shouldn’t loosen during the course of a round, but are usually a tad more expensive.

When trying a pair on for the first time, listen for the 'whoosh' sound when you slide your feet in - that's the sound of all the air leaving the shoe to confirm it is the correct size, but do a walking test to be sure. They shouldn't pinch anywhere, nor should your feet be moving around inside.

Waterproofing

If you live somewhere that gets a lot of rain then a waterproof shoe is a must. The best designs will keep your feet bone dry however if you play golf in glorious sunshine most of the time, then you may view other factors as more significant.

Many players choose to have one pair for winter and another, lighter pair for summer to keep them fresh and suit different requirements.

Spiked or spikeless?

The best golf shoes above are split into spiked (or cleated) and spikeless designs and there are pros and cons of each. Spikeless golf shoes offer off-course versatility. They are perfect for driving in the car to the golf course, playing a round, and then driving home again because they are usually light and comfortable, but most won't offer as much traction as a spiked shoe. Spiked golf shoes offer better grip and stability but don't sit as low to the ground as spikeless models.

Styling

Thankfully modern golf shoe design has seen many brands not just create traditional, classic-looking shoes, but also modern styles that can be used off the golf course too. Therefore it is important to think about what your shoes look like and what style suits you. Whatever you like or dislike, there is something for everyone these days.

For more golf shoe buying advice, check out our guides on the best winter golf shoes, best casual golf shoes or best golf shoes for seniors.

FAQs