Do Golf Shoes Run Big Or Small?

While some who are newer to golf prefer to wait before buying their first pair of golf shoes, beginners and experts alike have been outspoken about the benefits of investing in a pair. Since they’re specifically designed for golf, they ensure both comfort and control while you’re on the golf course. 

Golf shoes help you play better by improving your grip, helping your swing and transition, and keeping you more comfortable while you’re on the links.

Golf shoes are designed with spikes or other grips on the sole so that you can have the proper grip on the ground despite wet conditions. They also have a wider base to help your balance during your swing. 

Furthermore, unlike other shoes, golf shoes are lower cut on the ankle to give players a better range of motion. 

There’s no denying how beneficial golf shoes can be. However, purchasing a pair can be confusing. 

Beginners have questions about golf shoes’ fit, such as, “Do golf shoes run big or small?” and which style to buy. Fortunately, we’re well-aware of these questions and know the importance of investing in a well-fitting pair of golf shoes. 

Most golf shoes run a bit on the small side so you will need to get a ½ size bigger than you wear for normal shoes. However, this can vary from manufacturer to manufacture so if you are changing brands you will have to see how their shoes fit you. 

In the rest of this article I will also try to address everything ranging from golf shoes’ fit to material, comfort, and whether you should opt for spiked or spikeless golf shoes.

Golf Shoes’ Fit

The most important factor to consider when buying golf shoes is their fit. If your question is, “Do golf shoes run big or small?” there is unfortunately no single answer to it. This depends on the company you buy the golf shoes from. 

Many reputable companies, including FootJoy, Nike, Adidas, Callaway, and Ecco, manufacture golf shoes. Their sizing differs, and while some golf shoes fit true to size, others may run big or small. 

This also differs depending on the model of the shoe. One style or model of golf shoes from a brand may run too big while another model may run smaller.

You can’t determine how a certain golf shoe will fit beforehand, it’s important you try them on before making a blind purchase. This way, you can see whether or not they fit you well. 

As a rule of thumb, your golf shoes should be tight enough not to slide around but loose enough not to cramp your feet or your toes. It’s a good idea to walk around in them and ensure that they’re comfortable for both walking and swinging.

While the golf shoes should snugly fit your heels and midfoot, there should be at least ¼ – ½” of room in the front of the shoe for comfort. It’s extremely important to double-check and ensure that your feet don’t slide around because one of the most important reasons for wearing golf shoes is to ensure proper grip.

How To Ensure Proper Fitting For Golf Shoes

The following are some of our tips for ensuring that your golf shoes fit you well:

• Go shopping with a pair of socks in hand. Trying on your shoes with socks will make for a better fit.
  
• Don’t just sit and try on the shoes. Walk around in them and get into different positions to make sure that there’s no pain or discomfort in any position.
  
• In addition to trying out different positions, practice swinging in your shoes. This allows you to test out the shoes’ grip and fit during your swing and lets you see them in action.
  
• Try and go shopping in the evening since your feet can swell throughout the day. This way, you’ll ensure proper fit when your feet are their largest and won’t face problems down the road.
  
• Don’t settle for one size. Try on several different sizes of a similar style before deciding on a pair.
  
• Don’t worry if your shoes are a little stiff. That’s completely normal since you will have to break them in, and they will get more comfortable over time.
  

Other Golf Shoes Considerations

Fit may be the most important consideration when purchasing a pair of golf shoes, but there are a few other considerations you must keep in mind before making the final decision.

Comfort

One round of golf can take anywhere from 3-5 hours. Even with a golf cart, there’s a lot of walking involved, making it essential for you to prioritize comfort when it comes to choosing golf shoes. 

In addition to walking around in the shoes before deciding, you can also choose to add insoles for more support. 

Breathability is also a part of comfort. Look for mesh or perforations in golf shoes to allow for breathability and keep your feet from getting hot and sweaty.

Spiked vs. Spikeless

One of the main decisions you’ll have to make when choosing your golf shoes is whether to opt for spikes or go spikeless. Both have their unique advantages. 

While spiked golf shoes have more traction and overall support, spikeless golf shoes are more comfortable and flexible. 

That being said, opting for spiked shoes is a good idea if you plan on playing in hilly areas or on wet ground because of the increased grip and stability. Spikeless shoes are best for more dry playing conditions.

Material

It’s important to understand how the material of your golf shoes can impact performance and fit. Opting for leather golf shoes is generally more expensive. These shoes also require more care. 

However, they’re also naturally waterproof, durable, and mold to your feet to provide a good fit.

Synthetic leather golf shoes are more affordable and easier to maintain. However, they’re not as durable as natural leather. 

That being said, they’re better for cold weather, while natural leather golf shoes are better for warmer weather. This should be taken into consideration when determining which shoes are best for you.

Final Thoughts

There are a number of things to consider when buying your first pair of golf shoes, including breathability, comfort, and style. However, the most important consideration is golf shoes’ fit, which needs to be proper to minimize slippage and ensure excellent grip. 

Prioritize this and always try shoes on in person before buying them.

Online shopping is convenient, but it can be tricky when purchasing golf shoes because everyone’s feet are so different. From the height of your arch to the width of your feet, you can never be sure of how shoes will fit until you try them on in person. 

Our advice is to go to a specialist golfing shop and ask for assistance so you can buy the best golf shoes for your needs.

Then once you know what brand and size you prefer you can just keep buying that brand and size both in store or online.