Spikeless golf shoes have been one of the biggest trends in golf over the past few years. Instead of hard metal or plastic spikes, spikeless shoes use small nubs or cleats molded right into the sole of the shoe. Spikeless golf shoes have actually been around for quite a while, but Fred Couples jump started its popularity when he wore a pair of Ecco spikeless golf shoes back at the 2010 Masters. He has since been followed by other stars like Sergio Garcia, Matt Kuchar, Justin Rose, and Ernie Els. So…why spikeless? Won’t you lose grip and traction when you swing? We will answer these questions, and more, as we take a look at a few of the best spikeless golf shoes on the market.
Why wear spikeless golf shoes?
First, why are players switching to spikeless shoes? Is there an advantage? Or is it just the latest fad that brands are trying to push?
- Comfort – Spikeless shoes are lighter, and simply more comfortable than traditional metal or plastic spikes, especially when walking on hard surfaces like concrete. The soles of your feet will definitely thank you at the end of a long round.
- Style – Spikeless shoes look great! They don’t have hard spikes protruding out of the bottoms, are designed to look like the latest athletic shoes, and will set you apart from old geezers on the course. You can even wear them outside on the street, and nobody would know they were golf shoes.
- Convenience – Spikeless shoes can be worn anywhere, comfortably. They are easy to clean, and you’ll never have to worry about buying replacement spikes. More and more courses are also banning traditional spiked shoes as they cause damage to the greens.
- Traction/grip – Most golfers who haven’t tried spikeless think the grip won’t be as good. This is not true. Companies have studied how the pressure points change on your foot during the golf swing, and have used this information to design soles for spikeless golf shoes. Different sized nubs are designed and placed accordingly along the bottom of the shoe to ensure there is no slippage during your swing.
Bottom line: Spikeless shoes are definitely not a fad — they are more comfortable and stylish than old-school golf shoes, and perform just as well (if not better). As designs continue to improve, you will see more and more pros (and amateurs) making the switch. Maybe you should too.
The 5 Best Spikeless Golf Shoes
Puma Men’s TitanTour Ignite Golf Shoe
The Puma TitanTour makes our list as one of the best spikeless golf shoes. It is sleek, sexy, comfortable, provides fantastic traction, and even comes with a 1 year waterproof warranty. It is available in a variety of unique colorways, and will help set you apart from all the others on the course.
Note that these shoes are slim fitting, so if you have very wide feet, then you should avoid them. Or, try to order a 1/2 size up from what you’re normally used to.
FootJoy Golf Athletics 56814
The FootJoys look more like traditional golf shoes than the other shoes on this list. FootJoy has been a leader in the golf shoe industry for a number of years, and the 56814 is just another example of why. Thanks to the fantastic sole design, these shoes have amazing traction, even on wet grass. Your feet will never slip at any point during your swing, and could help give you that added boost of confidence in your game. These shoes are also waterpoof, so your feet will stay dry. FootJoy offers a 2-year waterproof warranty, so if your shoes start leaking, just send them back for a new pair!
Similar to the Puma TitanTour, these shoes can fit a bit slimmer/tighter, so try a half-size up before you buy.
ECCO Men’s BIOM Hybrid Golf Shoe
ECCO is the brand that kickstarted the whole spikeless golf shoe trend. They are actually not a golf brand, or even a sports brand for that matter. ECCO specializes in making high-end, comfortable, leather shoes (they even make their own leather). The ECCO BIOM Hybrd is a perfect example of their product — it is made of a combination of extremely high quality leather/synthetic material, and is one of the most comfortable golf shoes we have ever worn. They look nothing like traditional golf shoes, and could easily be worn on the street with nobody noticing. The traction is usually great, but they do tend to lose a little bit of grip on wet grass. These shoes are also not waterproof, so are really only meant for dry conditions. ECCO shoes tend to be a bit pricey, but they will last a very long time due to their high quality construction.
If you don’t mind the casual look, and only play in dry weather, then these are the golf shoes for you. They fit a bit looser than normal, so order a 1/2 size smaller than usual if you want a snug fit.
Adidas Men’s Adicross II Golf Shoe
Fan of the 3-stripes? The Adicross II Spikeless Golf Shoes have that classic Adidas style, but with the functionality of a great golf shoe! The small nubs are strategically sized and placed along the sole of the shoe to provide great traction, even in slightly wet conditions. They are very comfortable, and are very reasonably priced when compared to some of the other best spikeless golf shoes. If you want a golf shoe that lets you go from the course to the post-game restaurant without losing any style, then the Adicross II is for you.
These shoes also size a bit smaller than expected, so make sure you buy 1/2 size larger than usual.
Nike Golf Men’s Nike Lunar Ascend Golf Shoe
What’s a top shoe list without Nike? Nike is the most dominant footwear brand in the world, and golf is no exception. The Nike Lunar Ascend is their best spikeless golf shoe offering. It looks nothing like a traditional pair of golf shoes. Pu these on, and people are more likely to think you are going for a run instead of playing a round of 18. Nike put a lot of thought into the Lunar Ascend’s design, including mesh panels to keep your feet cool and sweat-free. These shoes are extremely light weight and comfortable, making them one of best golf shoes for walking a course.
These shoe also tend to fit a bit tighter than normal, so make sure to order a 1/2 size up. Buy the Nike Lunar Ascend Spikeless Golf Shoe.
This is my first time playing golf I just ordered the speedline senior graphite flex from golf discount I should get them today or one day next week. I want to ask you a question about the shoes. Which is good the spike or spineless?
If you plan on walking most of the time, get spikeless!