The 9 Best Golf Shoes of 2023
Except for your score, and maybe your playing partners, nothing can make or break your round of golf quite like the shoes on your feet.
The right golf shoes keep you dry, comfortable, and grounded, and maybe even elicit a few compliments. The wrong golf shoes, however, make you achy, soggy, and grumpy.
To help you find the perfect golf shoes, here are the best golf shoes of 2023. Our picks from ECCO, FootJoy, TRUE, Nike, New Balance, Skechers, and PUMA cover the spectrum of spiked, spikeless, men, women, value, and walkability. Be sure to check out our golf shoe buyer’s guide after our top picks to learn how to pick the perfect pair of golf shoes.
Best Overall: ECCO Biom H4
ECCO Biom H4 Erik van Rooyen Signature Edition
- Profile: Spikeless
- Waterproof: 3 Year Warranty
- Pros: Best waterproof warranty in golf, excellent comfort makes them great for golfers who walk in any conditions
- Cons: Top-end price point; style may not suit some golfers
CHECK ECCO (Women's)
CHECK AMAZON (Men's)
CHECK AMAZON (Women's)
Giving our nod for the best overall golf shoe to the ECCO Biom H4 was an easy call.
When you consider the most important elements a golf shoe can provide, the Biom H4 is best in class in each of them. The GORE-TEX waterproofing, and ECCO’s 3-year guarantee that comes with it, is unmatched. Still, they’re as breathable and as comfortable as any golf shoe we’ve tested, which makes them ideal for golfers who walk, no matter the conditions.
Nitpicky golfers might not love the style, but Erik van Rooyen’s Signature Edition may appease those folks. Yes, they’re at the higher-end of the price spectrum, but if you want a golf shoe you can wear from those soggy early-spring rounds through those final frost-delayed late fall loops, and any round in between, for three years (and probably much more than that), you can’t go wrong with the ECCO Biom H4.
ECCO Biom H4 Golf Shoe Review
Best for Walking: Skechers Elite 5 Slip-In
- Profile: Spikeless
- Waterproof: 1 year warranty
- Pros: Lightweight, breathable, waterproof, convenience of a slip-in
- Cons: Waterproof warranty is just one year; not the best choice for the wettest conditions
CHECK SKECHERS
CHECK AMAZON (Men's)
CHECK AMAZON (Women's)
The Skechers Elite 5 Slip-In is our pick as the best golf shoe for walking because it excels in the three most important criteria for this category. It’s comfortable, it keeps your feet dry, and it’s breathable.
We’ve hoofed several loops in the Elite 5 Slip-In, ranging from wet early spring rounds to dew-sweeping morning loops and blistering-hot mid-summer treks. The Elite 5 Slip-In has proven time and again that it’s up for any challenge.
If you usually walk and you’re looking for a daily driver, you’ve got to consider the Elite 5 Slip-In. Your feet will thank you.
Skechers GO GOLF Elite 5 Slip In Golf Shoe Review
Best Budget Golf Shoes: PUMA Ignite Fasten8
- Profile: Spikeless
- Waterproof: 1 year warranty
- Pros: Attractive styling with several color options; wide sizes available; supreme comfort
- Cons: Mesh area may not repel water
CHECK AMAZON (Men's)
CHECK AMAZON (Women's)
If you like the stylistic blend of modern and classic that PUMA executes so well in its golf shoes, you’ll be thrilled to know that the Ignite Fasten8 comes in tons of different color combinations in both men’s and women’s sizes, with wide options available as well.
We’ve tested these for several rounds on the course, and they’re just as comfortable as they are stylish, especially if you play most of your golf on sunny days.
One of the only drawbacks with Ignite Fasten8 is that it’s a middle-of-the-road performer in wet conditions. You may lose some stability in the rain, and while they are waterproof, the mesh area between the toe and the laces doesn’t repel moisture as well as the rest of the shoe.
Just by looking at the Puma Ignite Fasten8 golf shoes, you wouldn’t guess they’re a best budget pick, but at under $70, the value these kicks offer value that, in our opinion, can’t be beat.
PUMA Ignite Fasten8 Golf Shoe Review
Best Men’s Waterproof: FootJoy Traditions
- Profile: Spiked
- Waterproof: 1 year warranty
- Pros: Excellent traction in a lightweight and comfortable shoe
- Cons: Fit may be on the narrow side
If you like a traditional golf shoe in almost every sense of the word, look no further than the FootJoy Traditions.
Not only are the Traditions waterproof, with a one-year waterproof warranty to back it up, but they don’t incorporate any of the new-age mesh or foam that makes you second-guess just how waterproof they are.
True to their name, the Traditions boast a classic saddle look in a waterproof package that is surprisingly comfortable and lightweight on your feet. While there are spiked and spikeless versions, the spiked is of course more traditional, and has seven total spikes, with two under the heel and five up front.
Tested & Reviewed: FootJoy Traditions Golf Shoes
Best Men’s Spiked: Nike Air Zoom Tiger Woods
- Profile: Spiked (removable)
- Waterproof: None
- Pros: Lightweight, durable, no-nonsense design; available in medium and wide width
- Cons: No waterproof warranty
If you want a great golf shoe that you can pair with any golf outfit, the business-inspired Nike Air Zoom Tiger Woods ‘20 is a perfect spiked option. Available in black or white, these Tiger Woods golf shoes have a Nike logo on the side, and red TW logo on the heel, and no other bells or whistles.
The spikes that make up the seven-spike pattern are removable, so you can always keep fresh spikes under your feet, or go spikeless if you choose.
The biggest drawback of these shoes is that they aren’t waterproof, therefore no waterproof warranty. They’re best for dry days on the course.
Best Men’s Spikeless: True LUX Hybrid Men's Golf Shoes
- Profile: Spikeless
- Waterproof: 2 year warranty
- Pros: Exquisite blend of classic style and modern materials, perfectly executed color combinations, superior comfort
- Cons: Top-end price
The TRULE LUX Hybrid checks pretty much every box you could think of for a spikeless golf shoe, and it’s – excuse the irresistible pun – a shoo-in for our best spikeless golf shoe.
The LUX Hybrid comes in seven styles that are executed to perfection. Whether you’re drawn to the vintage Cognac look, the show-stopping Master’s-themed Azalea scheme, or TRUE’s Dead Golfer theme, there’s a LUX Hybrid to fit your taste.
Yes, these shoes are beautiful, but true beauty (no pun intended), is on the inside. The TRUE LUX Hybrid is perhaps the most comfortable golf shoe of 2023. Meanwhile, they include a 2-year waterproof warranty and TRUE’s highest stability rating.
If you want the whole package, you’ve got to pay a little extra to get it. The LUX Hybrid isn’t the most expensive shoe on this list, but it’s definitely in the top tier, and deservedly so.
Best Women’s Waterproof: ECCO Golf S-Three
- Profile: Spikeless
- Waterproof: 3 year warranty
- Pros: Best waterproof warranty in golf without sacrificing breathability or comfort; five color options
- Cons: Hefty price-tag
CHECK ECCO
CHECK AMAZON
CHECK DICK'S SPORTING GOODS
ECCO backs up its GORE-TEX golf shoes with a three-year waterproof warranty, which is the best we’ve seen, and a huge reason the ECCO Golf S-Three gets our vote as the best waterproof women’s golf shoe.
This spikeless model is available in five colors. What we love so much about ECCO shoes is their ability to combine unmatched waterproof shoes with premium comfort and breathability. The midsole has three distinct zones to optimize flexibility and stability, which breeds the comfort golfers desire.
Best Women’s Spikeless: New Balance Fresh Foam Breathe
- Profile: Spikeless
- Waterproof: No waterproof warranty
- Pros: Modern but subtle style; lightweight, breathable and comfortable; great value
- Cons: Not waterproof; some golfers might want more stability
CHECK GOLF GALAXY
CHECK AMAZON
Women shopping for a spikeless golf shoe that performs like a running shoe should take a good hard look a the Fresh Foam Breathe golf shoe from New Balance. It offers the pleasant comfort New Balance is known for, with a lightweight design and added cushion. The spikeless outsole will keep you grounded on the course and the subtle design is sure to draw compliments from your group. On top of all that, at around $70, these are one of the best value golf shoes of the year.
The one drawback of these shoes is that they aren’t waterproof. If you strictly play golf in dry weather, or if you have some reliable waterproof golf shoes, these are a green light. However, if you need a pair of golf shoes for rain and shine, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Best Women’s Spiked: FootJoy eComfort
- Profile: Spiked
- Waterproof: 1 year waterproof warranty
- Pros: Quality and durability of FootJoy in an attractive, waterproof, and affordable package
- Cons: Only two color options (grey and white) available.
If you’re looking for a spiked golf shoe, you really cannot go wrong with FootJoy. The FJ mark has earned its reputation for being stable, comfortable, and classic. That’s exactly what you get with the FootJoy eComfort women’s golf shoes.
Available in two solid color options, grey or white, the eComfort shoes are waterproof, with a one-year warranty, and have a six-spike pattern, utilizing Pulsar LP spikes from SoftSpikes.
Golf Shoes Buyer’s Guide
If you’ve been playing golf long enough, you remember the days of snagging whatever pair of golf spikes was available in your size. The idea of having a variety of material, spike, style and performance options was almost laughable.
Luckily, those days are long gone, and if all the different styles and types of golf shoes are complicating your purchase process, this golf shoe buyers guide will set you on the right path
Spiked vs. Spikeless Golf Shoes
The line between spiked and spikeless golf shoes is not as distinct as it once was. Today’s spikeless golf shoes rival the stability of spiked shoes. Still, there are some key factors that you should consider to decide between spiked and spikeless golf shoes.
Generally speaking, spiked golf shoes perform better from a traction and stability standpoint than spikeless. That’s why players who often play in wet, slippery conditions, and players with faster swing speeds who can’t compromise on stability, may favor spiked shoes.
One thing a spikeless shoe can’t replicate is the ability to replace worn spikes. This gives the golfers with spikeless shoes the power to guarantee their spikes are always as sharp as can be, no matter how old the shoes are.
On the other hand, spikeless golf shoes are typically more comfortable, and golfers who prefer to walk likely lean toward a spikeless golf shoe. Spikeless golf shoes also give you the flexibility to transition them to the clubhouse, grille room, or 19th hole without swapping shoes. And as we mentioned, the better spikeless golf shoes today provide stability that’s just as good as a spiked shoe.
Here’s a quick comparison of spiked vs. spikeless golf shoes.
Spiked:
- Best for wet, slippery conditions
- Extra stability for golfers with faster swing speeds
- Ability to replace spikes ensures traction is always good as new
Spikeless:
- Versatility to wear them from the course to the clubhouse
- More comfortable for walking
- Many outsoles are competitive with the stability a spiked shoe offers
Waterproof
No matter how fair-weather of a golfer you are, you should expect your golf shoes to protect your feet from the elements to at least some degree. Even on warm, dry days, you’re likely to encounter dew, freshly watered areas, or low points that collect water on the golf course. And nothing can ruin a long walk quicker than soggy socks and wet feet.
A golf shoe’s waterproof warranty is the best indication of what you can expect in that department. It’s also a great indication of how long the manufacturer expects the shoes to last.
Depending on how often you play, whether you walk or ride, and if you give them a quick post-round wipe-down, it’s reasonable to expect your golf shoes to last one to two years beyond their waterproof warranty. That’s an important factor to keep in mind when considering the cost of your golf shoes. Yes, a shoe like our top overall pick, the ECCO Biom H4, is expensive, but if you get five-plus seasons out of them, that $200-plus price tag works out to be somewhere in the $50 per year neighborhood.
Style
Every element on golf shoes has transformed in the last decade-plus, but none is more apparent than the style.
Modern golf shoes come in all colors and styles. From classic saddle designs with modern materials, to flashy colors and designs, golf shoes that are nearly indistinguishable from running shoes, you now have a huge spectrum of styles to choose from.
Price
Today’s golf shoes range from around $50, to over $200. At the top end of that spectrum, golf shoes are a you-get-what-you-pay-for product. It’s almost impossible to find a $200-plus golf shoe that isn’t incredibly comfortable, waterproof and durable. If you can make that type of investment in your golf shoes, you can expect to spend the better part of a decade with them.
On the bottom end of the spectrum, there are some really good deals to be found (see our best budget pick, the PUMA Ignite Fasten8), but also some land mines to be avoided.
Find Your Fit
Whether you prefer spiked or spikeless, modern or classic, budget or premium, there’s a great golf shoe for you. With today’s selections, you can pick your criteria, and your budget, and find a high-quality golf shoe that meets your needs.