Best Puma Golf Shoes 2024

Puma provide footwear and apparel for professionals like Gary Woodland, Rickie Fowler and Lexi Thompson. That means they are regularly on our television screens so it stands to reason that the brand has to make high-quality, great-looking golf gear. With this kind of backing on Tour, it is safe to say that Puma make some of the best golf shoes on the market right now. Having tested a good amount of the Puma range, we've become accustom to the brand's quality, durability and overall comfort in it's spiked, spikeless and women's range too. 

The company's shoes are stylish and feature great technology to help you play better golf. Whether you're looking for ultimate performance, a pair of waterproof shoes, a street-style pair or something that looks a bit different, you'll find a pair to suit your needs with the brand's wide range of footwear. To help you decide which is best for you, we list the best Puma golf shoes in the current range. If Puma isn't the brand for you, we've made other brand-specific guides on FootJoy, adidas and Nike too. 

WATCH: Dan Parker tests over 25 pairs of the best golf shoes to crown his 2024 winner!

The Quick List

Best Puma Golf Shoes

Best spiked

Puma's latest spiked golf shoe, the Phantomcat Nitro, has a unique outsole and is a significant departure from previous Puma shoes. What's new?

The Phantomcat Nitro debuts a Flexspike integrated cleat in some vibrant colors. These have been engineered specifically to increase surface contact with the ground as well as enhancing weight distribution across the foot. The new cleat design also means a lower profile compared to other spiked shoes on the market. In terms of traction, the Flexspikes definitely offer increased grip but we did find the green areas of the outsole clogged with mud and debris quite quickly.

Comfort? The shoe also features a nitrogen infused foam that's injected into the heel area. We found this to be comfortable and provides plenty rebound as you walk. The toe area has been reshaped for a squarer fit that provides more room than other Puma shoes. Unsurprisingly, the Phantomcat Nitro is another solid addition from Puma. Our only concern was that you can't replace the integrated spikes but this is unlikely to be a problem.

• Read our full Puma Phantomcat Nitro Golf Shoe Review

Best grip

Articulation geometry is behind the somewhat quirky name of the latest spiked shoe from Puma. The new technology allows the shoe to move with your foot while still providing a strong level of support. In practice, it works brilliantly and the shoes were a pleasure to play golf in. The styling is subtle but smart and Puma’s Ignite Foam provides a good amount of comfort and energy return in the midsole.

The shoe also has a brand new traction pattern that features eight Tornado cleats per shoe as well as some plastic nubs surrounding them for added traction. It complements the locked in feeling well and we really felt that, no matter the conditions or lie, the shoes weren't going to slip.

There isn't a traditional shoe tongue either and it is replaced with a single construction that provides plenty of support around the whole foot. There is then a 'cage' - pictured in black across the shoe - which wraps around any foot shape for added support. Much like with the FootJoy Tour Alpha, the shoe really creates a 'locked-in' feeling once the laces are tightened.

• Read our full Puma Ignite Articulate golf shoe review

Best spikeless

An upgrade on the Puma Ignite Articulate, the Ignite Elevate is one of the best golf shoes out there. The Elevate does look very similar to its predecessor and we loved the combination of materials the brand has used to develop what is a fantastic looking golf trainer. It comes with a textured upper that is contrasted by a black 'cage' area across the shoe. The pops of color  adds to the quality feel the Elevate delivers and we also liked the the addition of a fabric 'sock' area near to the top of the shoe that again boosts its shelf appeal.

On testing, we found that the upper and midsole feel very soft as you walk. Puma have also added a back section which they've call the Exoshell and that aims to deliver 360º of support to your feet. On testing we found it really does lock you in place, but doesn't feel too intrusive. While we do think the grip may struggle in wet conditions, it certainly performed in dry conditions too and offered a low-profile that gives the shoes a lot of versatility to be worn on and off the course. Overall, the Elevate is a stunning spikeless golf shoe that will appeal to many kinds of players. 

• Read our full Puma Ignite Elevate Golf Shoe Review

Best lightweight

Perhaps one of the best spikeless golf shoes in the game right now, the Puma Alphacat Nitro golf shoes are one of the grippiest sneakers on the market and deliver excellent comfort as well as a sporty aesthetic. Puma are well known for designing some of the best golf shoes in the game and we loved the visuals on these trainers. The only slight issue is that the midsole does pick up dirt quite easily, which can obviously be wiped away after your round has finished. But overall, they suit players not looking to go too bold in their sneaker choice, but deliver a smart and understated design that looks great. 

These shoes are also some of the lightest on the market too. Out of the box, we noticed straight away how lightweight they were. Standing up revealed that they also delivered bags of comfort, keeping our feet perfectly cushioned too! They feature Advanced Nitrogen-Injected Foam which provides plenty of comfort to your feet as you walk the course. But these shoes really excel when it comes to grip. Having tested them on wet and dry conditions, we've had no problems with slipping or balance here, which is a big deal considering they are a spikeless shoe. The Alpha Traction sole design on this shoe is cleverly constructed with rubber grips that work together to provide grip in areas that suit you the most. 

• Read our full Puma Alphacat Nitro Golf Shoes Review

Most comfortable

Puma have always been a front runner when pushing the boundaries to design trendy yet functional golf shoes and the GS-Fast, an update on their much talked about RS-G Golf Shoes, certainly continues that trend. These are a statement shoe for those players wanting to complete a streetwear look on the course. Admittedly these shoes will not be everyone's cup of tea and we did get several comments about them from playing partners and other members of the golf course when we first tested them out. 

But aesthetics aside, our testing procedures showed us that Puma have put an awful lot of technology into these shoes, making them one of the most comfortable spikeless golf shoes on the market. Their chunky sole provides exceptional level of cushioning as you walk around the course, while the mesh sock-liner prevents the risk of blisters arising on your feet. 

The GS-Fast comes with a wide rubber outsole that is littered with a ton of small rubber studs. That means these shoes are better used as a summer golf shoe but still performed very well in slightly soft autumnal conditions with their grippy outsole providing solid traction on the turf. They are also completely waterproof and are very easy to wipe down after your round. 

• Read our full Puma GS-Fast Golf Shoe Review 

Most versatile

Whilst many golfers want the traditional spiked shoe for the golf course, there are many golfers who want versatility and value using a golf shoe anywhere, and you’d be hard pressed to find a more stylish, casual golf shoe than the Puma Fusion Classic. The versatile all white or all black design means they can be paired with almost any outfit and the subtle Puma Cat logo at the top of the heel adds to this.

Admittedly spiked shoes will offer more grip, especially in the wet, but the spikeless outsole, which gives just as much grip on the pavement as it does the fairways, making them one of the best golf trainers around. Additionally the balance of flexibility with support from the sole unit provides just the right balance of walking comfort with performance.

In really damp conditions, you may experience a little excess movement, but it’s fair to say these shoes are more of a summer model than they are a year-round contender. 

• Read our full Puma Fusion Classic Golf Shoe Review

Best traditional style

Combining modern and traditional aesthetics, the Avant is part of Puma’s 2024 women's shoe collection and really looks fantastic. The Avant is available in two color options and we liked the simple, understated design with a small metal Puma badge on the side.

Unlike other shoe's leather upper, it doesn't feel particularly soft to touch. But despite this the comfort over 18 holes was excellent and we experienced no uncomfortable rubbing either. The shoe is very well cushioned and feels snug and secure on every shot. It is worth noting that we recommend going down half a size for this shoe though. 

While other shoes have a higher midsole to promote their sporty look, the Avant is low-profile with strategically placed ridges and lugs on the sole for traction. Finally it comes with a waterproof guarantee for one year which is great to see.

• Read our full Puma Avant Ladies Golf Shoe Review

Best sneaker-style

If you’re a golfer who wants a sneaker-style golf shoe that looks great and is comfortable to use all day, both on and off the golf course, the Puma Fusion Crush Sport golf shoe might be perfect for you.

They are incredibly light and comfortable, reminiscent of a new pair of running shoes whilst also offering stability and breathability. Puma has achieved this with a shoe that fits very well, although we recommend downsizing slightly because they can be fairly roomy in the toe area. 

The heel, arch, and laced area offer excellent support, while the soft rubber on the sole gave good traction and grip. They are also waterproof and could double as trail running shoes or even tennis shoes due to their sturdy sole. Compared to running shoes priced over $200, these offer great value and versatility for both golfers and non-golfers.

• Read our full Puma Fusion Crush Sport Shoe Reivew

Best budget

The Puma Ignite Blaze Pro is a great shoe that comes in at the budget end of the price spectrum. It may be a few years old, but the performance is still worth considering if you are in the market for new shoes. 

The Blaze is 100% waterproof and will provide full protection even on the rainiest of days. Not only will  they keep your feet dry, they also provide great traction thanks to six well-placed spikes on the outsole. 

The brand market these shoes as being for women who take their golf seriously, but we disagree with that as our testing showed them to be right up there with the most comfortable models we’ve ever worn, making them suitable for all women golfers and not just those who are 'serious' about the game!

• Read our full Puma Ignite Blaze Pro Shoe Review

How we test golf shoes

Our golf shoe testing methodology revolves around putting models to the test over a number of rounds and in different conditions. This is so we can gain a better idea of overall performance in terms of factors like grip comfort, grip, stability, waterproofing and how they actually look on the golf course. Each of the shoes listed above has been personally used by a member of the Golf Monthly team. 

This is the best way of testing a golf shoe as using it in the real world over a number of weeks allows us to see how they perform when variables change like weather, ground conditions, different stances and lies, and so on. 

We think this also gives us information on the little details as well like which brands come up small or large, which models start to rub a bit too much after 36 holes, which designs can be used off the golf course and for the drive home?  We are very comprehensive in our tests to the point where we will regularly attend product launches and meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to understand the new technology. That isn't to say manufacturers can buy a good review though, as all our reviews are made by golfers, for golfers. 

How to choose the best golf shoe

Spiked or spikeless?

The best golf shoes above are split into spiked (or cleated) and spikeless designs and there are pros and cons of each. Spiked golf shoes offer better grip and stability but don't sit as low to the ground as spikeless models. Spikeless golf shoes offer off-course versatility. They are perfect for driving in the car to the golf course, playing a round, and then driving home again because they are usually light and comfortable, but most won't offer as much traction as a spiked shoe.

Waterproofing

If you live somewhere that gets a lot of rain then a waterproof shoe is a must. The best designs will keep your feet bone dry however if you play golf in glorious sunshine most of the time, then you may view other factors as more significant. Many players choose to have one pair for winter and another, lighter pair for summer to keep them fresh and suit different requirements.

Getting the right fit

When picking out golf shoes getting the right fit is important because otherwise blisters can build up. Or your feet may slide around inside, which limits your stability. When trying a pair on for the first time, listen for the 'whoosh' sound when you slide your feet in - that's the sound of all the air leaving the shoe to confirm it is the correct size, but do a walking test to be sure. They shouldn't pinch anywhere, nor should your feet be moving around inside.

When it comes to the right fit it is also worth considering different laces. Normal laces are good for most but for some golfers, BOA laced shoes provide more convenient fastening and shouldn’t loosen during the course of a round, but are usually a tad more expensive.

Styling

Thankfully modern golf shoe design has seen many brands not just create traditional, classic-looking shoes, but also modern styles that can be used off the golf course too. Therefore it is important to think about what your shoes look like and what style suits you. Whatever you like or dislike, there is something for everyone these days.

FAQs

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