Should I Buy New Golf Shoes For Winter?

Should I Buy New Golf Shoes For Winter?

Once we’ve found a pair of golf shoes we like, we tend to stick with them through rain and shine, especially considering how durable they are these days. They're undoubtedly an essential winter golf item, but do you really want to put your favourite pair through the endless steps on mud, frost and everything else playing golf in the winter will throw at them?

I put to you that you’re better off giving them a thorough clean and putting them away safely for the winter - they’ve earned a break with some of the places you’ve made them visit! This is especially true if your go-to pair is a lightweight, flexible design built for the dry fairways of summer. Instead, bite the bullet and invest in a pair of golf shoes specifically for the winter. They don’t have to be expensive, there are some great budget golf shoes out there, and they should last you a number of years. Here are some things to consider...

Color

Black shoes are widely regarded as being better suited to winter because they show dirt less than white equivalents and better match the black trousers nearly everyone tends to wear in winter. Speaking of which check out our guide on the best waterproof golf trousers too if you need a new pair.

But if you can’t bring yourself to wear a pair of the best black golf shoes and opt for a lighter colour, make sure the upper is made of a material that is easy to keep clean - I.e. a smooth surface where mud wipes off easily.

Grip

When playing on softer ground, your feet are more likely to move around as you swing and when walking down slippery slopes. So you need a pair of shoes that will provide good grip, any of the models we included in the best golf shoes for winter guide should perform here because they have all been designed to do so. The older your golf shoes are, the more the cleats will have worn away too so while they might be cleated, they could be providing you with less grip than a brand new spikeless pair.

We’re not necessarily saying you should discount spikeless golf shoes altogether, but the best spiked golf shoes will provide the best traction to combat the wet terrain. If you do still want to wear spikeless shoes, make sure the outsole nubs are pronounced and plentiful.

Style

Naturally, the best waterproof golf shoes are models to consider because they will keep your feet dry and protected, whilst also offering good stability. By this, we mean having a rigid sole unit that provides a strong and stable base from which to swing that from our testing has shown to increase clubhead speed and distance over soft, flexible shoes. You could go a little more drastic and opt for a high-ankle construction found on the best golf boots, which offer even more support and protection. Not the best visually, perhaps, but certainly fully equipped for what winter has to throw at them.