Is This New $100 Boot The Ultimate Winter Golf Shoe?

Winter is here, unfortunately. Our firm, fast golf courses are a thing of the past for the time being, replaced instead with soft, wet and slippery conditions underfoot.

As golfers, we must adapt, and that begins with our apparel and footwear: insulating layers, a dependable waterproof jacket, and shoes that will keep us stable and comfortable in challenging conditions.

Although the majority of the best spiked golf shoes should do the job, equipping yourself with a pair of specialised winter golf boots is the easiest way to keep your feet secure and dry during the colder months, and Under Armour has released an intriguing new pair set to fight for the title of best golf boot on the market.

The Under Armour Drive Winterized Golf Boots are built to combat the harshest conditions winter can throw at us. Are they the best-looking golf shoes I’ve ever seen? Far from it, in fact, but that isn’t the point. These boots are built for pure performance, with Under Armour clearly prioritizing warm, dry feet over clubhouse style points on the first tee.

In fact, as someone who grew up playing Royal County Down with the Mourne Mountains towering over us, wearing these boots makes me feel like I could walk straight off the 18th green and hike up Slieve Donard, the highest peak in Northern Ireland.

The links turf at Royal County Down stays firmer than most throughout the winter, so I also took the Drive boots to an inland track to see how they handled softer, wetter ground. The grip on offer at Ormeau Golf Club in Belfast was remarkable on a day that was ideal for putting them through their paces - a damp, drizzly, and grey autumn afternoon where conditions underfoot were genuinely testing.

It proved a great trial for the UA Rotational Resistance system, which pairs directional traction lugs with a rubber outsole that wraps up the sidewall for lateral stability at impact. Both elements kept me impressively planted throughout the swing, particularly on tee shots with driver in hand where my footwork tends to be most active.

In terms of comfort, there is plenty to like as well. My initial impression was that I stood noticeably high off the ground due to the aggressive spiked outsole, a profile that might divide opinion, but the step-in comfort quickly won me over. The mid-cut collar locked my ankles securely in place while keeping out the chill, while a reinforced TPU heel counter and moulded sockliner delivered ample underfoot cushioning.

Wet feet are out of the question thanks to a refined yet hard-wearing premium leather upper paired with an integrated waterproof membrane. The layered construction reliably keeps moisture at bay across rain-soaked fairways, standing puddles and deep rough, all backed by Under Armour’s one-year waterproof warranty for further peace of mind.

These boots are clear about what are and what they are not: they are dedicated winter tools rather than versatile, year-round footwear, but they should sit right at the top of the shortlist for dedicated winter golfers.

Delivering this level of wet-weather performance for $100/£100 is exceptional. Under Armour consistently punches above its weight on value for money, and the Drive Winterized boots are another prime example.