Once upon a time, golf shoes were easy to identify. They had spikes, saddles, tassels, kilts and occasionally enough decorative stitching to make a pair of Lucchese cowboy boots seem plain.
Today’s spikeless golf shoes, however, are far more versatile. Many look like sneakers or casual walking shoes while providing enough traction and stability for 18 holes. That makes them ideal for golfers who would rather not change shoes in the parking lot before driving home, buying groceries or heading out for dinner.
Let's be clear: These are not necessarily the shoes to wear in heavy rain, on saturated rough or when maximum traction is essential. Under those conditions, you need extra lateral support and all the ground-gripping traction you can get. These shoes are crossovers
that, under normal summer conditions, are comfortable to wear and can handle walking the course without issue.
To make this list, a shoe had to meet the following criteria:
- Spikeless construction
- Sneaker, walking-shoe or casual styling
- Enough traction and stability for golf
- Be comfortable on grass, pavement and indoor surfaces
- Waterproofing preferred, but not required. Water-resistant is fine
Ben Hogan, who famously had a cobbler add an extra spike to his golf shoes for extra traction, would turn his nose up at these shoes, but if you are looking for something comfortable, versatile and that can handle lunch at Cava or your local pizza joint as easily as they can handle a Sunday scramble with the guys, the list below is filled with great options.
Adidas Gazelle Spikeless
Price: $120
Adidas took one of its most recognizable lifestyle sneakers and gave it a durable spikeless rubber outsole that can handle the course. The Gazelle looks perfectly natural with shorts, jeans or casual pants, making it one of the easiest shoes here to wear after leaving the course. (https://www.adidas.com/us/gazelle-spikeless-golf-shoes/KJ5427.html
Alma Mater Beta Lite
Price: $288
The Beta Lite resembles a futuristic running shoe, but its nitrogen-infused foam, supportive heel structure and aggressive traction system were designed specifically for golf. It is a performance-oriented shoe, yet its athletic styling and cushioning make it wearable well after the final putt. (https://www.almamaterfootwear.com/products/beta-lite-m-white-grey)
Cole Haan GrandPro All-Day Golf
Price: $175
The waterproof GrandPro All-Day combines a light, springy ENERGYFEEL midsole with a spikeless rubber outsole designed to grip grass but not be slippery on pavement. Its understated colors and clean sneaker profile should work nearly anywhere that does not require a jacket and tie. (https://www.colehaan.com/products/mens-grandpro-all-day-golf-shoes-c42764)
ECCO Golf S-Casual
Price: $180
The Golf S-Casual combines a perforated premium-leather upper with an ECCO-TEX waterproof membrane and approximately 100 TPU traction bars. ECCO’s Fluidform cushioning and understated sneaker styling make it comfortable and polished enough to remain on your feet long after the round. (https://us.ecco.com/product/ecco-golf-s-casual/102814/51293
FootJoy Flex
Price: $110
FootJoy’s Flex uses a breathable performance-mesh upper and a VersaTrax outsole that supplies grip while walking and playing, while its soft cushioning and conventional athletic-sneaker profile make it comfortable enough for errands or lunch. (https://www.footjoy.com/men/golf-shoes/spikeless/flex/023FLX.html?dwvar_023FLX_color=56307)
G/FORE G.112 Perforated
Price: $225
The low-profile G.112 Perforated features a water-repellent upper, breathable mesh lining and heel-to-toe turf traction. It delivers more golf-specific performance than its sleek tennis-shoe appearance suggests, while removable, washable insoles help keep it fresh after long days. (https://www.gfore.com/p/mens-g.112-perforated-golf-shoe/gmf000205.html?dwvar_gmf000205_color=CERS)
Nike Air Jordan 1 Low G
Price: $155
The Air Jordan 1 Low G retains the genuine-leather construction, bold color blocking and familiar appearance of the original sneaker. Nike added heel cushioning, an integrated traction pattern and a waterproof warranty, creating a golf shoe with legitimate street credibility. (https://www.nike.com/t/air-jordan-1-low-g-golf-shoes-ZR2b5R/DD9315-002?_gl=1*1av2wpy*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwqJXUBhBNEiwA8BgG7hJnV2h5b7GLtuGIX8FUXf5MjuPCgul8Y2meJbrHHQ496jRyFNJywBoCtt8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAADy86kNVa1m_qipRpbq3VYWbJ_be7)
NOBULL Ripstop Golf Shoe
Price: $150
NOBULL gave its durable training-shoe silhouette a water-resistant ripstop upper, waterproof internal bootie and spikeless rubber outsole to produce a sporty golf shoe. The understated design works with shorts, joggers or jeans, while the structured platform provides the stability golfers need. (https://nobullproject.com/products/mens-white-ripstop-golf-shoe
OluKai Wai‘alae
Price: $160
The Wai‘alae combines full-grain waterproof leather with a cushioned, removable footbed and a Wet Grip Rubber outsole that provides multidirectional traction. Its clean, understated appearance makes it an especially practical option for golfers going directly from the course to lunch or dinner. (https://olukai.com/products/waialae-mens-leather-golf-shoes-white?variant=39762741198947)
Skechers Slip-ins UNO Golf SI
Price: $90
The UNO Golf SI combines hands-free entry with Skechers’ Heel Pillow, Arch Fit insole and visible air cushioning. Its spikeless rubber outsole provides on-course grip, while the familiar street-sneaker styling makes it an easy shoe to wear throughout the day. (https://www.skechers.com/skechers-slip-ins-uno-golf-si/123199_WHT.html)
Sun Day Red Osprey
Price: $175
Designed to move from the office to the course, the Osprey uses an external heel counter for support and a multidirectional rubber outsole for traction. Minimalist styling helps it look more like a premium everyday sneaker than traditional golf footwear. (https://www.sundayred.com/osprey/LH011213.html
TravisMathew Daily Pro Hybrid
Price: $149.95
The Daily Pro Hybrid features a breathable knit upper, cushioned midsole and versatile traction in a lightweight athletic design. It is an appealing warm-weather option for casual golf and whatever comes next. (https://travismathew.com/collections/mens-golf-shoes/products/the-daily-pro-hybrid-shoe?variant=43326928420942)
TRUE Linkswear FS-01
Price: $189
TRUE’s water-resistant FS-01 combines a minimalist leather upper, roomy toe box and stable one-piece rubber outsole. The golf technology is almost invisible, allowing the shoe to move from the course to the office, airport or restaurant without looking like it took a wrong turn. (https://truelinkswear.com/products/true-future-staples-01?srsltid=AfmBOoretsNR6kqW33xhBHMEoqEctBeq8zOLSzf5hjyVJDwpWD-zaAY8)
David Dusek is a senior writer at Golfweek covering golf equipment.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: 13 men’s golf shoes you can wear on and off the course
