What do we want in golf shoes? The answer is simple: comfortable, lightweight, affordable, durable and stylish. But there’s something else I’ve started to look for when buying golf shoes these days, and that’s versatility.
Just a few weeks ago I played Bethpage Black, and I loved the fact that I could walk out of my apartment with the same shoes I was going to wear on the course. No one knew the difference. Heck, I hardly knew the difference. There are a ton of shoes out there right now that perform on the course and can also double as pre- or post-round kicks. No more changing shoes in the parking lot or worrying how yours will look while running post-round errands. These days I want to just wear them straight to the course or straight home. Keep it simple, right? And if you are like me, here are six pairs perfect for just that.
FootJoy FJ Flex Spikeless
The FootJoy FJ Flex Spikeless golf shoes are comfortable, breathable and lightweight, and the new Versa-Trax rubber outsole is great for traction. Your feet will stay cool and dry in these. The shoe design is clean yet has a subtle and attractive pattern on both sides of the ankles. A great price, too.
The Ecco S-Casual looks great on the course, in the clubhouse, or out with your friends after the round. But above all else it performs everywhere. It’s breathable, comfortable and durable, as the FluidForm technology outsole provides cushioning to mold perfectly to your feet. The Ecco Hydro treatment will keep your feet dry.
No one would even guess these are golf shoes with their hidden-traction outsole. But hey, why not use them for a quick round, too? The Puma Original G Spikeless shoes are durable (one-year waterproof warranty) and sleek, and the Pro-Fit inner provides comfort wherever you are.
New to the golf shoe market, Cuater by TravisMathew released four stylish and versatile pairs earlier this year. The Moneymaker is their top seller, and it’s easy to see why. It’s lightweight and comfortable and the TPU spikeless bottom gives you the traction you need on the course. But what helps make these so popular is the fact that they look so good off the course as well. I own this exact pair and love them.
These are one of the newest from Ecco, which has long produced some of the most durable and comfortable golf shoes around. The Ecco S-Three Spikeless shoes boast Gortex water protection while also allowing for top-notch breathability and comfort. They are clean and almost have a basketball-sneaker look to them, but they look good both on and off the course. They are also the last pair of shoes I wore when I walked 18 holes. No complaints here.
The Adidas S2G Spikeless are lightweight and waterproof (with a one-year warranty for the latter), and the modern/mesh design is both casual cool and easy to match with on the course. The Forgeframe upper improves stability when you are trying to swing it like Bryson DeChambeau, and the EVA midsole provides extra comfort.
As GOLF.com’s managing editor, Berhow handles the day-to-day and long-term planning of one of the sport’s most-read news and service websites. He spends most of his days writing, editing, planning and wondering if he’ll ever break 80. Before joining GOLF.com in 2015, he worked at newspapers in Minnesota and Iowa. A graduate of Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minn., he resides in the Twin Cities with his wife and two kids. You can reach him at joshua_berhow@golf.com.
