What shoes you should be wearing to ensure you put your best foot forward on the golf course
Choosing the best golf shoes for you is crucial in optimising your performance. Comfort, fit, and swing stability are the three most significant factors for the majority of golfers. Then there are aesthetics, traction, breathability, weight, performance on slopes and in wet situations, and whether they keep your feet dry.
When traversing wet, rocky, and soft terrain, the condition of your footwear typically takes centre stage. So you might find yourself wondering why you didn’t choose something a little more sturdy or durable.
Modern golf shoes are highly technological and highly refined equipment designed to help you play your best golf while still looking good. In addition, they must provide ample padding, keep your feet dry, and maintain a comfortable temperature for 18 holes. It may be asking a lot of a simple pair of shoes, but this year’s class has succeeded on all fronts.
We have compiled a list of the top golf shoes on the market for 2022 so that you can put your best foot forward on the green.
1. Adidas Tour360 22
Specifications
Sizes: 6.5-12
Waterproof: 100%
BOA Option: Yes
Colours: 4 (Black, White/Navy, White, White/Blue/Orange)
Pros
• Snug fit gives immense comfort
• Locked-in feel
• Styling has broad appeal
Cons
• Boost outsole difficult to clean
The Review
The Adidas Tour360 22 golf shoes are, in our opinion, one of the best spiked shoes to be produced in 2022.
The upper is made of fine rich leather that is completely waterproof, and you also get a one-year waterproof warranty for further peace of mind.
Adidas has also used recyclable materials in the design to further the brand’s goal of eliminating plastic waste.
The shoe matches the foot’s natural shape and allows for foot movement in all directions, even during the golf swing.
The Tour360 22 also incorporates cleats that are injected directly into the base of the shoe, providing superior traction.
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2. Adidas ZG21 Golf Shoes
Specifications
Sizes: 6.5-12.5
Waterproof: 100%
BOA Option: Yes (also in the “Motion” style)
Colours: 5 (Black, Grey, White/Green, White/Silver)
Pros
• Extremely lightweight
• Lots of performance on offer for the price
Cons
• Limited colour options
The Review
The ZG21 from adidas is one of the best golf shoes of recent times, having been developed over two years to equip golfers with an exceptionally lightweight, comfortable, high-performance golf shoe. It weighs only 13 ounces, far lighter than most of its competitors’ models.
In addition to the well-known Boost tech, there is now also Lightstrike cushioning, already used in other sports, gives stability and comfort throughout the swing. An ultra-thin TPU outsole complements the four-layer waterproof covering with cleverly positioned cleats to improve traction. While we’re not pros on where spikes should go, we can vouch for the amazing levels of support and grip this shoe provides.
3. FootJoy Tour Alpha Golf Shoe
Specifications
Sizes: 6-14
Waterproof: 100%
BOA Option: Yes
Colours: 3 (White, Black/White, Grey/Blue)
Pros
• Exceptional swing support
• Snug and comfy
• Premium, modern styling
Cons
• Likely to be too substantial for the casual golfer
The Review
The Tour Alpha is undoubtedly one of the most exceptional spiked golf shoes tested by us in recent history and should be on the Wishlist of every serious golfer. The Tour Alpha is FootJoy’s flagship performance golf shoe, offering maximum grip and stability.
The Tour Alpha is loaded with technology, notably around the heel, but you will feel how surprisingly light this shoe is for a performance cleated shoe when you pick it up.
Slide your foot in, and the comfort is immediately apparent – the padding around the ankle and underfoot is significant enough to relieve pressure when walking but not so soft that walking 18 holes becomes difficult.
Not only is The Tour Alpha visually appealing, but there’s also a lot going on in the back, yet when you’re wearing them, the shoe looks clean and elegant from the front. Also, because the cleats are so close to the outsole’s edge, the pods that house them protrude somewhat, but not enough to distract or put you off wearing them.
4. ECCO BIOM H4 GOLF SHOES
Specifications
Sizes: 6.5-12.5
Waterproof: 100%
BOA Option: Yes
Colours: 5 (White, Black, Grey, White, Pink)
Pros
• Stylish and extremely comfortable
• Ample grip from different lies and protection from the elements
Cons
• More expensive than most of the other shoes on the list
The Review
Three years after the Biom Hybrid 3, the H4 has received significant modifications, making it one of the best shoes Ecco has ever produced.
The upper is made of fine leather, and the Gore-Tex fabric is both breathable and waterproof.
The new MTN Grip outsole, which combines Ecco’s Fluidform technology and TPU inserts that keep the foot securely in place, gives traction and stability. The H4 is sportier and more athletic, making it suitable for weaing both on the course and off. We found they were extremely comfortable, and Ecco have definitely nailed the aesthetic.
In many ways, the shoe appears classic, but it also has splashes of colour and subtle details that add to its shelf appeal.
5. ECCO BIOM C4 SHOE
Specifications
Sizes: 6-12
Waterproof: 100%
BOA option: No
Colours: 4 (White, Navy, White/Black, Grey/Blue)
Pros
• Supreme comfort
• Incredibly soft leather upper
• All-over breathability
• Suitable for all feet widths
Cons
• Toe area prone to staining
The Review
The Ecco Biom C4 is one of the most technologically advanced golf shoes seen this year and they have wowed us with its appearance, comfort, grip, and breathability. The new sneaker type has won our hearts from a style standpoint, and the functionality is there to match
Ecco’s Exhaust Grid technology, which sucks cool air toward the sole to cool things down, is used in the Biom C4. This, paired with the Gore-Tex surround and the permeable Ortholite insole, makes this by far the most breathable sneaker we’ve tried in 2022.
Another great feature from Ecco is the removable insole, which allows for greater breadth in the shoe. With the initial insole removed, the Biom C4 is now acceptable for folks with larger feet, yet there is still the same degree of comfort and cushioning.
Summary
On the course, all of the shoes on our list will deliver an entertaining, comfortable, and performance-enhancing experience. In addition, golf shoes are specially designed to adapt to golfers’ motions and the golf course conditions; therefore, if you are serious about the sport, it’s wise to invest in a good pair of golf shoes.
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