Golf shoes used to look like golf shoes: stiff, formal and best left in the car park. That has changed. Many golfers now want a shoe that grips a wet tee box, carries them comfortably through eighteen holes and still looks good in the clubhouse afterwards. The answer is a growing group of golf shoes built on famous sneaker designs, with traction and weather protection added underneath and inside.
Spiked or Spikeless?
This is the first choice, and it is about conditions more than style. Removable cleats give the most grip on wet grass, slopes and during a powerful swing, which matters on soft winter courses and for players who swing hard. Spikeless outsoles use shaped rubber lugs instead. They grip well in dry conditions, feel more like a sneaker when walking, and go straight from the course to the car without a change. Many golfers keep one of each. Course rules are worth checking too, since some clubs set their own footwear rules. Whichever you choose, a sole that suits the conditions keeps your feet steady from address to follow-through.
What Makes a Sneaker a Golf Shoe
- Traction: either removable cleats or a dedicated spikeless rubber outsole that grips turf.
- Comfort for walking: a round on foot can be several miles, so the midsole and insole matter.
- Weather protection: a waterproof upper keeps feet dry through morning dew.
- Stability: a slightly wider, steadier base helps during the swing.
Every men’s golf shoe below covers at least three of these.
Five Classics, Rebuilt for the Course
Four of these start life as famous sneakers; the fifth is a pure performance shoe for comparison, all from the current golf sneakers collection.
574 Greens V2
The most recognisable silhouette here, rebuilt with an NDurance spikeless rubber outsole designed to move with the foot, a DynaSoft midsole with a 10mm drop and a CUSH+ insole for comfort. It is the easiest pick for golfers who want one pair for the course and the weekend.
997 Golf
A heritage runner rebuilt for the course, this version adds FastTwist 3.0 removable Pulsar cleats for grip, an NDurance rubber outsole and an Abzorb midsole for lightweight cushioning. It suits golfers who want classic looks with proper spikes.
1982 Golf
Another heritage design with removable cleats. A DynaSoft midsole provides lightweight cushioning with a 10mm drop, and a CUSH+ insole adds comfort for long walking rounds.
480 Golf SL
A clean, low-profile classic, it brings a waterproof microfiber leather upper, a Cush+ midsole for all-day comfort and an NDurance rubber outsole built for durability. It is the pick for wet mornings.
Fresh Foam Contend V3
The performance contrast. A Fresh Foam midsole provides plush cushioning, a CUSH+ insole adds comfort, and an NDurance spikeless rubber outsole moves with the foot. It looks more like a modern athletic shoe than a classic, and its cushioning makes it a good choice for walking golfers.
Quick Tips
Break new golf shoes in on the range before a full round. Swap worn cleats at the start of each season. Keep a waterproof pair for winter and a spikeless pair for summer if you play year-round.
Getting the Fit Right
Golf shoes should feel snug through the midfoot and heel, because the foot needs to stay still while the body rotates through the swing. Leave a little room at the toe for walking, and try shoes on with the socks you play in. Many golfers find their feet swell slightly over a long round in warm weather, so a fitting later in the day gives a more honest result. If your heel lifts as you rise onto your toes, try a different size or width before deciding the model is wrong. A comfortable fit matters more than any feature, since a sore foot on the back nine affects every shot.
The Bottom Line
You no longer have to choose between grip and good looks. Decide on spiked or spikeless for your conditions, then pick the classic you like best. A pair of spikeless golf shoes or a cleated heritage design will carry you from the first tee to the clubhouse without a second thought.
All five golf shoes above come from New Balance. For more easy reads on sport and weekend hobbies, drop by 2minuteread.