Many golfers are anxiously shining up their clubs, dusting off their caps, and coordinating their attire for the long-awaited tee time with friends. In helping prepare you to go back out to enjoy your favorite courses, here’s a quick guide to some of the latest men’s golf footwear styles from top brands.
We’ve also included a few reminders and guidelines from experts to consider when shopping for footwear:
“Comfort is king. That’s what consumers are looking for first and foremost. If your shoes are uncomfortable, then you won’t perform at your best, and definitely won’t be able to enjoy your round of golf. With all of the technology and style put into footwear designs, we never forget that the shoe must be comfortable at the end of the day.”
– Andrew Lawson, Product Line Manager, Puma Golf Footwear
“Overall, the market has been overly technical with the features and benefits of the various golf footwear products, a lot of them very unnecessary and cluttered design.”
– K.C. Clarke, Senior Marketing Manager – Cuater
“Quality components are the key to making the best golf shoes in the world and, in turn, to elevating the golf experience.”
– Robin McNesby, Vice President of U.S. Sales & Business Development, Royal Albartross
1. G/Fore Cap Toe Gallivanter
Using 100% waterproof smooth full-grain leather in a classic style, the Gallivanter features a triple density removable and washable foam footbed. A cool form of massage for your feet.
($225) gfore.com
2. Foot Joy Flex XP
Versatile is the word for these XPs. Versa-Trax maximizes traction during your swing and provides exceptional grip when walking the course (and beyond). Quite light, available in multiple colors, these will be your most comfortable shoes on and off the course.
($110) footjoy.com
3. Puma Ignite Proadapt
With Dual Durometer Tornado Cleats, you will undoubtedly improve your lie, with your feet that is, and we all know the importance of gripping the ground on the swing. Comfortable right out of the box.
($200) cobragolf.com
4. New Balance Fresh Foam LinksSL
With their long-standing success in running shoes, New Balance brings their “cloud-like” feel to golf with these new models. Basically, their technology determines zones in the midsole where altering levels of compression and resistance are aligned to provide ultra-soft cushioning and lateral stability.
($100) newbalance.com
5. Foot Joy Pro S/L
Pretty bold by the sport’s leading shoemaker to re-design one of its top sellers, but the resulting increase in stability, traction, and comfort will help maximize the release of power in your swing.
($169) Footjoy.com
6. Ecco Golf Street
It’s back. Golf Street, the original hybrid golf shoe that Fred Couples wore at the 2010 Masters that sparked the spikeless golf shoe movement. Back when they only made up 1% of the marketplace, now hybrid golf shoes make up about 50%.
($150) us.ecco.com
7. Travis Mathew/Cuater The Legend
The Legend combines classic styling with comfort primarily from the SweetSpot foam midsole and molded sock liner. Modern technology in a timeless design.
($250) Travismathew.com
8. Duca Del Cosma The Monterosso
Comprised of Nappa leather and created to be worn on and off the course, The Monterosso offers a new breathable Arneflex insole in a lightweight design.
($169) ducadelcosma.us
9. Under Armour HOVR Drive Gore-tex
With advanced cushioning offering energy return with each step and the comfort of knowing you’ll stay dry with Gore-tex, here’s your all-season footwear.
($170) underarmour.com
10. Royal Albartross The Driver 63
Handmade in Portugal using the best Italian leather, The Driver 63 is one of the premium hybrid shoes available. A Limited Edition, each one is numbered and produced with an individual certificate of authenticity and Gold hand-stamped logo.
($249) us.albartross.com
And Now For Something Completely Different
For the Bold, It’s the Codechaos Boa from Adidas
By Randy Williams
If you’re looking down a radically non-traditional avenue to spice up your rotation of golf footwear, the Codechaos Boa from Adidas is a worthy candidate. Pushing the boundaries (without going out of bounds), the veteran shoemaker has come up with an impressive, fashion-forward thinking design. It starts with the fit.
With a light slip-on construction, the laceless L6 BOA Fit System provides a quick, micro-adjustable fit with the simple twist of the dial which also covers those whose feet tend to swell in the heat of the day. Easy to secure and undo, with its adaptable, custom-sizing capability, you’ll enjoy a comfortable fit to your specific preferences all the way through the back nine.
Adidas has maintained its popular Boost midsole with a Torsion X stability bar that is as good as it gets for on-course comfort.
Further features to keep your feet feeling cozy are the sockliner and Fitfoam cushioning.
After considerable research about the way golfers distribute and shift their weight throughout the swing, Adidas was able to determine exactly where traction was needed most and what lug shapes would provide the best grip, regardless of conditions. The result is the feeling of being very stable underfoot, with no slipping using the Twist Grip soft-rubber hybrid spikeless outsole with Traxion.
Certainly one of the more eye-catching shoes on the market in 2020, (and if bold high-tops are a bit much for you, this new lineup comes in traditional styles as well), with its abundance of comfort, superior fit that also provides excellent grip in different lies and ground conditions. you can stay focused on your next swing with the Codechaos Boa.
($180) adidas.com