Should I Wear Spiked Or Spikeless Golf Shoes?

Every year we test hundreds of different golf shoes – spiked, spikeless, sporty, traditional… the lot. Spiked or spikeless is a question that gets asked a lot, especially by those golfers who are new to the game.

What are spiked golf shoes?

Although it might so like they do, spiked golf shoes do not come with metal spikes. There was once a time when golf shoes had metal spikes, but those days are long gone.

Modern spiked golf shoes do have cleats/studs. Generally speaking, the ‘spikes’ (they’re really not as sharp as they sound) are made from some type of thermoplastic material. These are designed to offer lots of traction, and they don’t cause damage to greens.

Spiked golf shoes tend to offer more grip. One of the best examples of a spiked golf shoe is the adidasTour 360 24. For us, it’s the complete all-round spiked golf shoe, a model that provides exceptional grip in all conditions, as do the Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 golf shoes worn by Rory McIlroy.

The spiked models tend to be bulkier than their spikeless counterparts, but this means they can be worn all-year round and are especially adept in the winter months. The drawback – and this will often be a personal thing – is that they can feel a little bulky and intrusive when the ground is dry. It’s maybe not the type of shoe for you if you only play when it’s dry and the fairways are hard and firm. 

What are spikeless golf shoes?

It’s not that spikeless golf shoes offer no grip when it’s wet and muddy. The nubs on the sole can provide very good traction. In fact, in damp or even fully wet conditions some of the best spikeless golf shoes really they hold their own on course. 

Some of the best examples of spikeless outsoles that offer really good grip include the Under Armour Drive Pro SL golf shoes and FootJoy Pro/SLX Carbon golf shoes. Even though these are ‘grippy’ models, if traction is your number one priority when it comes to buying golf shoes, going for a spiked option will be the best bet.

Which golf shoes are best to wear off the course? 

Spikeless golf shoes come out on top in this regard. This kind of golf shoe has spiked (excuse the pun) in popularity over recent years. Also known as ‘hybrid’ golf shoes, we’ve seen an increase in the number of sneaker-style designs. In fact, it’s often hard to tell the difference between a spikeless golf shoe and a standard street sneaker.

The outsoles on these types of shoes have been designed to offer great grip on course, but with a low-profile look and feel so not to be intrusive when you're off course. This has allowed some of the great fashion sneakers of modern times to be converted into fantastic golf shoes, such as the adidas Samba Special Edition and Nike Air Max 90.

Lots of golf clubs have relaxed their dress codes, too, and will allow spikeless golf shoes to be worn in the clubhouse. It sounds like a small thing, but it’s another plus for the spikeless model, as is the fact you can hop straight into your car afterwards without needing to change shoes.

The likes of the adidas S2G SL and Nike Air Jordan Low 1 G are other examples of trainer-like shoes that can be found on our list of the best spikeless golf shoes. However, not every spikeless model has been designed to look like a sneaker.

If you want a more classic looking spikeless shoe that can still be worn on and off course, you’ll probably be drawn to something like the G/FORE Gallivan2r, which is up there with the best looking models that we’ve ever laid eyes on. Without a doubt, spikeless shoes are the most versatile type of shoe. So, if versatility is your number one priority, go spikeless.

Which type of golf shoes are the most comfortable?

You can find as comfortable a spiked shoe as you can spikeless. The insoles and midsoles used on spiked and spikeless shoes are very similar, and comfort and support can be found in any type of golf shoe.

The only real difference in comfort between spiked and spikeless comes when you are playing on dry, firm ground where spikeless shoes will have the edge. You can sometimes feel the large spikes of a spiked shoe when playing on dry ground and the low profile, softer nature of a spikeless shoe will give you a more comfortable ride underfoot.

We do have our favorites, of course, with some of the above models featuring in our list of the most comfortable golf shoes. One that we haven’t mentioned so far is the Skechers Go Golf Blade GF Slip-ins. Other models might look better, but the arch support and heel cushioning that these shoes provide is very impressive.

How many pairs of golf shoes should I have?

In the perfect world, two: one for summer and one for winter. That would be our advice. The summer shoe would ideally be spikeless and then you'd have a spiked one for the winter.

Although a more expensive investment up front, wearing two different pairs of shoes across the year will mean both pairs last longer and you can utilise the best that spiked shoes and spikeless shoes have to offer when the conditions or mood strikes.

If you’d rather not spend money on two pairs, then rank the following three performance categories in order of priority: traction, versatility and comfort – then go from there. If traction is vital to you, go for spiked. If versatility is the most important, go for spikeless.

Whichever style of golf shoe you go for, make sure they fit properly. A shoe that fits perfectly will not only last longer than one that is too short or too long, but it will allow you to get the full enjoyment from the product.