Best Golf Shoes To Wear At The Driving Range 2026

Driving ranges have seen a huge increase in popularity over the last few years. With the post-Covid golf boom still very much apparent. Ranges around the world are now becoming much more intuitive, accessible and have a range of technology available that can provide you with data about how well you're hitting each shot.

While, in most cases, there is no dress code for a driving range, it is still important to wear an appropriate pair of shoes to make sure you have plenty of grip when swinging the golf club to prevent injuries and simulate on-course scenarios. While most will wear a causal pair of trainers to the driving range, the increase in popularity of spikeless, casual golf shoes means these golf shoes are a great option to wear to the range.

This type of golf shoe still has a casual, sporty look to it, but offers much more grip and support than a normal shoe might. They are obviously much more appropriate for a golf course than a casual trainer too, so buying a pair of golf shoes that work great at the range and on the golf course means you're getting more for your money with your next golf shoe investment. Additionally wearing a golf shoe that transitions easily from the range to the car and onward makes a lot of sense in my opinion as well.

Of course, if you don't have a pair of the best golf shoes yet, going to the driving range in a standard pair of sneakers or trainers is absolutely fine too. Below, we've listed some of our favorite golf shoes that we think are ideal for wearing down at the driving range as well as on the golf course.

The Quick List

Best Golf Shoes To Wear At The Driving Range

Top pick

My favorite shoe from an aesthetic point of view at the moment is the Osprey from Sun Day Red. It is ideal for off the golf course use and might be the most versatile shoe I've ever tested. But performance is not limited to the looks.

The comfort here is absolutely outstanding and I was able to wear these shoes all day several times, often going right from the car to the course, and onward. The fit is true to size and the use of foam throughout the design, and specifically on the thick tongue and heel areas meant my feet felt nicely housed in the shoe. Additionally the EVA midsole system provided comfort underfoot.

The breathability was also good in testing but there are a couple of points to mention. First whilst the spikeless outsole offers solid grip and traction, if you play in really wet conditions you are better off going for one of the best spiked golf shoes. Indeed this shoe is only water-resistant and not completely waterproof as well. However if you want a summer shoe that is comfortable and looks great, I cannot recommend this shoe enough.

• Read our full Sun Day Red Osprey Golf Shoe Review

Most comfortable

Aesthetically, I instantly noticed an identical likeness to the Ultraboost running shoe, which is something that will no doubt go down well with admirers of the original sneakers. The materials are very similar too. It uses a Primeknit mesh upper - which is breathable and water resistant - as well as the sock-like material around the tongue of the shoe. There is plenty of padding around the ankle and there have also been some reinforcements around the toe area. The comfort from the Ultraboost is off the charts. Anyone who has worn the running sneakers will appreciate the softness and cushioning underfoot, and that has translated to this golf shoe.

Although not fully waterproof, it is water resistant, the Ultraboost has incredible breathability, with the mesh upper giving a supreme sense of comfort when I tested out on the course. What's more, I especially liked how the Ultraboost is not pretending to be something it's not. It’s not a shoe to play your 36-hole club championships in, but it is perfect for a casual round. With a silhouette so similar to that of the sneaker, they blend into pretty much any environment. Alongside the Cole Haan ZeroGrand Overtake, True Linkswear FS-01 and Air Jordan 1 Low G, they are the most versatile golf shoes I’ve ever worn.

• Read our full Adidas Ultraboost Golf Shoe Review

Best value

From a value perspective, it is hard to beat the Puma Fusion Classic golf shoes. It is an understated shoe which looks fantastic everywhere. 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 versatility.

I was a bit concerned with grip and stability in this spikeless shoe but it performed well. Grip wise, the tacky rubber nubs at various depths on the outsole provide ample grip in dry and even slightly dewy conditions to provide a firm footing from which to swing. Admittedly for proper wet conditions on the course, you would be better off going for a spiked model but the performance is still solid here.

From a comfort perspective, there are softer shoes available within the spikeless shoe market, but few can find the balance between of walking comfort with performance like these can.

Overall the total performance of the shoe is excellent, and when you consider you can find a pair of these less than $100 in some places, the value is undeniable here.

• Read our full Puma Fusion Classic Golf Shoe Review

Most versatile

Perhaps one of the best golf sneakers in the game, the Air Max 270 G shoe is a sporty and stylish option that can be worn both on and off the course. It comes in three different colorways with each delivering a clean and crisp aesthetic, that looks great paired up with some of the best golf trousers or even a pair of the best golf shorts.

The shoe certainly appeals to a younger audience, and do look great worn on and off the course, but there is no mistaking that the Air Max 270s are great for those looking for more comfort too. These shoes fit fairly snug so you may want to order a size up if you want a non-restrictive feel. As you'd expect from a sporty-looking pair of sneakers from Nike, they are also extremely breathable and offer up plenty of ventilation, thanks to the mesh covering that wraps around your foot in the 270's upper. It's worth noting too that this is water-resistant and very easy to clean which is water-resistant and easy to clean.

Akin to many of the best spikeless golf shoes out there, the Air Max 270 delivers plenty of traction on the turf thanks to the rubber ridges and bumps on the sole of the shoe. I felt pretty stable in damp conditions and that also adds to the versatility of the shoe, which we felt could be worn in almost any situation, from the course to the shops.

• Read our full Nike Air Max 270 G Golf Shoes Review

Best waterproofing

Another ideal model for the driving range, and just about anywhere else is the Street 720 shoe from Ecco. I think Ecco has done the right thing by eliminating almost all the branding and keeping it subtle. They aren't dull shoes however, because there are some nice little design touches which give a modern look.

I then have to mention the comfort here. These performed outstandingly well in this regard, especially in terms of cushioning. Compared to other Ecco shoes, and other shoes in this area of the market, the 720's felt as if they had a lot more cushioning where needed. Ecco's FLUIDFORM technology has been used here to deliver fabulous levels of comfort that I felt almost immediately once I tried them on. The comfort isn't just felt on the course as these shoes proved to be one of the comfiest street shoes I've worn.

This ten out of ten comfort is combined with a fully waterproof upper, thanks to the GORE-TEX SURROUND, a really valuable feature that not all casual golf shoes have. It is worth saying these aren't the most grippy golf shoes on the course but they still perform very well for a spikeless shoe.

• Read our full Ecco Street 720 Golf Shoe Review

Best sneaker

I absolutely love these shoes because my testing showed them to be a worthy addition to this guide thanks to the blend of comfort and retro looks. I like how they barely look like golf shoes at all, rather offering a more casual design.

Comfort was top-notch thanks to the underfoot cushioning as well as the hidden Zoom Air unit towards the heel. Admittedly it gave a springy feeling when walking but it does make you feel slightly higher than other golf shoes so this does take a bit of time to get used to.

The grip was solid thanks to the rubber traction outsole and it will perform well in damp conditions but for proper deluges we would recommend a spiked shoe instead. Additionally, while synthetic leather overlays give the shoes full waterproof protection, we would recommend spraying some protector on the suede areas before you start using them.

• Read our full Nike Air Pegasus '89 Golf Shoe Review

How we test

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. 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, and which designs can be used off the golf course and for the drive home.

Specifically for testing, shoe guru Dan Parker oversees all golf shoe testing and has amassed quite the collection of models! Dan has been testing golf shoes and other golf gear for years and has become an expert in the field.

As a team 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 golf shoes

There is a lot to consider when purchasing your next pair of spikeless golf shoes. Modern golf shoes feature a ton of technology that can make picking the right golf shoe for you a difficult decision. But that's why we're here to help.

Comfort

As you would expect, comfort is king when it comes to golf shoes because if a golf shoe is uncomfortable, then this can compromise your performance, cause you pain, and you won't want to use them again. Whereas if golf shoes are comfortable, your feet will feel better and you can focus on your golf shots.

Some models have specific design features which are all about comfort, such as foam technology, but what is comfortable to one golfer, may not be to another, sow we always recommend trying on several models and walking around in them to gauge how your feet feel in them.

Grip/Stability/Traction

Spikeless shoes are a lot better in the grip department these days. That being said if you view grip and stability as one of the most important factors we would always recommend a spiked golf shoe because the performance is usually outstanding in models like the adidas Tour 360 or Under Armour Drive Pro Golf Shoe.

But as we mentioned, many of the models we picked above are spikeless shoes that actually give good grip as well because most of them have specifically designed traction patterns and lugs to make sure your feet don't slip.

Looks

Looks is a subjective point and as such we always recommend doing a bit of research to see which shoes you like the look of. There are models for all types of fashion sense right now, ranging from the traditional, to the modern, sporty designs that stand out a bit more.

Waterproofing

Most golf shoes these days offer a degree of waterproof protection but some are better than others so if you see yourself playing in the rain, be sure to check out some of the models featured in our best waterproof golf shoes guide.

Sizes

One thing we always try and make clear to people is some brands have slightly different golf shoe size charts. For example shoes from brands like Payntr and Nike can come up small, large, wide or narrow, which just shows how important it is to look at size charts, and try shoes on to see how they fit.

Price

The last factor to consider is price. With the models selected above, we have included shoes at different price points to suit any budget. Therefore have a think about how much you want to spend, and then choose accordingly.

While there are some fantastic spikeless golf shoes on the market, you should also check out some of our other guides on the best golf shoes for walking, best golf shoes for seniors, and our guide to the best spiked golf shoes.

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