Do You Need Golf Shoes (Do They Make a Difference?)

If you’re a beginner golfer, you may be wondering whether you need to buy golf shoes. With new clubs, golf balls, tees, and other clothing, golf can end up being a really expensive sport. 

So, are golf shoes necessary or just something people spend money on to look the part?

You don’t have to use golf shoes on most courses but they will make a difference in your swing and how well you are able to stay positioned while you swing. 

When you’re just starting to golf, you’re not as aware of the rules and etiquette surrounding the sport. I want to tell you that at the majority of courses, golf shoes aren’t mandatory. 

You’re not required to wear them, except at some elite, private golf courses and country clubs.

That being said, golf shoes do matter even though wearing them is not compulsory. They’re your connection to the ground and are essential for proper grip. 

In addition to grip, they can help you with stability and flexibility. As you swing a club, you rotate your body. Golf shoes ensure you stay grounded when doing so and can impact your performance.

Several other sports require specialty shoes. For example, soccer players wear cleats while weightlifters wear shoes with raised heels which help them lift heavy items. 

The same is true with golf shoes. You can certainly play golf without having a pair of golf shoes but they will help improve your game. 

In the rest of this article I will try to explain why this is the case, and discuss golf shoes in more detail.

Are Golf Shoes Worth It?

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, golf shoes are going to help you play your best. They’re definitely worth it.

Let’s delve into why this is the case and the various advantages that golf shoes provide.

1. Golf Shoes Help With Transition

A golf swing consists of both a backswing and a downswing. When transitioning from the backswing to the downswing, it’s important to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground. The change in direction while transitioning can make you slip and mess your swing up.

Golf shoes are an important part of golfing because they help with the transition and make it smoother. When you’re transitioning from a backswing to a downswing, golf shoes keep you in place and help you initiate the downswing from your lower body instead of your arms and hands. 

As a result, you complete a perfectly smooth downswing with no issues at all.

2. Golf Shoes Are Water-Resistant

Most golf shoes are water-resistant, making them useful for playing when the weather isn’t the best or if it has recently rained. If you play early in the mornings, golf shoes can prevent you from getting wet when the course is covered in dew. 

There’s nothing worse than having wet feet for an entire round. Golf shoes prevent this and make your golfing experience more comfortable and enjoyable.

3. Golf Shoes Prevent Slipping

Golfing requires precision, and there’s nothing worse than slipping up and getting a mishit. Golf shoes are especially designed to help your feet grip the course, with most of them having spikes on the bottom. 

This helps them dig into the ground and prevent you from slipping. Because your feet are firmly on the ground throughout your swing, they not only prevent slippage but also help you swing consistently, hit the sweet spot, and may even help lower your handicap.

4. Golf Shoes Help You Look the Part

While this isn’t as big an advantage as the other points, golf shoes do help you look the part. Not all clubs require them, but most people prefer wearing them to fit in and look like they belong with the other members or players. 

They can also help you boost your confidence if you’re a beginner and can be a great investment in the sport if you plan on playing it regularly.

5. Golf Shoes Increase Torque

Torque refers to the rotational equivalent of force or turning forces that affect an object’s rotation. In golf, torque is helpful since increased torque results in a faster swing. 

Faster golf club swings result in more distance, something a lot of players are looking for. Golf shoes can help increase distance since they help increase torque in your swing. 

Because you’re secure on the ground, your body can rotate around securely, and your swing can improve.

6. Golf Shoes Are Comfortable

According to the World Golf Foundation, golfers walk approximately 5 miles on an 18-hole course. Even if you plan on using a golf cart, there’s still miles of walking involved, with the World Golf Foundation estimating that golfers using carts burn 1300 calories during an 18-hole round. 

When you’re walking for long periods over long distances, it’s essential that you wear comfortable footwear designed for the activity you’re doing. Golf shoes keep you comfortable and supported throughout the round.

Golf Shoes For Beginners Vs. Pros

Many golfers also wonder whether you need golf shoes to gain experience and believe that they’re not as useful for beginners. However that really isn’t true. 

Golf shoes are great for anyone ranging from beginners to professionals.

Some coaches and professionals even argue that golf shoes are more important for beginners than seasoned players because beginners need more balance when it comes to their swings. Experts have perfected their swings with hundreds or thousands of hours of practice while beginners are still learning to swing properly.

Final Thoughts

When it comes down to it, the answer to the question, “Are golf shoes necessary?” is no, you don’t absolutely have to have golf shoes to play. However, the answer to “Are golf shoes worth it?” is a definite yes, especially if you walk on hilly or wet courses. 

With so many options now available on the market, it’s not necessary to spend hundreds of dollars on golf shoes. Any affordable versions available will help you stay safe on the course and better your swing.

Whether you opt for spiked golf shoes or spikeless golf shoes, investing in a pair is sure to help you improve your game. In addition to preventing slipping, golf shoes can keep you steady on the ground, improve your grip, and keep you comfortable and dry when it’s wet on the course.