A Beginner's Guide to Golf Shoes: Why Choose Professional Shoes?
ChangWilsonThe Difference Between Golf Shoes and General Sports Shoes
When many beginners first come into contact with golf, they mistakenly think that they can play in jogging shoes or basketball shoes. In fact, the design of golf shoes has its own unique logic and function. Compared with general sports shoes, golf shoes have professional considerations and configurations in terms of grip, stability, waterproofness and support.
| Compare Projects | Golf shoes | Regular sports shoes |
|---|---|---|
| Grip | Designed for grass, with spikes or multi-directional treads | Designed for asphalt roads and playgrounds, no consideration for anti-skid grass |
| stability | Strengthen lateral support to prevent your feet from sliding during the swing | Biased forward and backward movement support, weak lateral stability |
| Waterproof | Most of them have a water-repellent or waterproof layer, suitable for open-air stadiums | Not designed to be waterproof and easily affected by dew |
| Midsole construction | Emphasis on stable standing and walking, and long-term comfort | Mainly based on bounce and cushioning, it is tiring to wear for a long time |
The impact of different court environments on shoes
Golf courses have different types of turf and ground materials depending on their location and design, such as cool-season grass (such as Bermuda grass) and warm-season grass (such as bentgrass). Wet courses and sandy terrains all have different requirements for sole design. The following are common course conditions and recommended shoe types:
| Stadium environment | Topographic features | Suitable shoe recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Slippery court in rainy season | The grass is wet and muddy | Waterproof spikes, strong grip design |
| Dry Terrain Courses | Short grass, high friction | Spikeless, lightweight design |
| Hillside Course | There are many ups and downs, and frequent lateral movements | Spikes or hybrid soles for added stability |
| Urban driving range | Artificial turf or hard surface | No spikes, comfortable midsole is preferred |
The key to choosing the correct shoe size and last width
Golf shoes are not like ordinary shoes that are only worn for a short time. They are usually worn for a whole morning or afternoon. Therefore, if the size is slightly wrong, it may cause blisters, squeezed toes or pain in the instep. The following are the size and last recommendations that should be considered when choosing shoes:
| Foot shape characteristics | Recommended shoe type | Common Mistakes |
|---|---|---|
| Wide last | Choose 2E / 4E wide last | Wearing narrow shoes causes compression |
| High instep | High elasticity design of the upper | Discomfort from zippers or shoelaces |
| Normal foot length but long toes | Leave 0.5~1 cm of space at the tip of the shoe | Wearing shoes that fit your feet too well and cause your toes to touch |
Understanding the width of the shoe last: comparison between US and Japanese standards
Choosing the right shoe last width can keep your feet comfortable and stable on the court. In addition to length, the lateral width of the sole (i.e., "last") is also an important basis for shoe selection. The marking methods of US and Japanese standards are different. The following is a comparison and explanation:
| US standard marking | Width Description | Japanese standard mark | Suitable for foot type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | Standard men's shoe last | E | Normal foot type |
| 2E | Wide last | EE (2E) | Those with slightly wider feet |
| 4E | Extra wide shoe last | EEEE (4E) | Broad palms or hallux valgus |
| — | — | F / G / H | Extremely wide feet, special needs |
In Japan, golf shoe brands (such as ASICS and Mizuno ) often use " standard width ", " wide last" and " super wide last" to indicate shoe types.
- EE (2E) is the most common "wide last" standard in Japan.
- Purchase advice: If you feel pressure when wearing standard shoes, you can give priority to 2E / 3E styles.
- Japanese standard shoes can also be accurately selected based on "foot circumference cm". It is recommended to refer to the brand size chart.
What shoes do professional players wear? Brand preference analysis
Observing the players of PGA and LIV professional tours, most of them choose brands such as FootJoy, Nike, adidas, etc. The following are some players and their favorite shoes:
| Player Name | Tour | Commonly worn shoes |
|---|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | PGA Tour | FootJoy Premiere Series |
| Rory McIlroy | PGA Tour | Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour |
| Dustin Johnson | LIV Golf | adidas TOUR360 |
| Brooks Koepka | LIV Golf | Nike React Vapor 2 |
These shoes are not only brand-conscious, but also combine stability, support and functional innovation. For ordinary consumers, understanding the choices of professional players can also serve as an important reference when choosing shoes for themselves.
Why does grip affect swing performance?
Golf is a sport that requires full body coordination, especially when teeing off, the power transmission of the lower body is closely related to the stability of the ground contact point. If the soles of the shoes cannot effectively grip the ground, it is easy to slip and shift the center of gravity when turning and swinging, resulting in unstable hitting direction and loss of distance.
You can imagine: trying to swing a golf club in a bathroom with a slippery floor is very different from swinging it with a firm foot on dry grass. Especially in the conditions of wet grass and heavy morning dew, this sliding problem will be magnified.
Here is a comparison of the stability of spiked shoes and spikeless shoes:
| Sole design | Stability performance | Applicable scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| Spikes (detachable rubber spikes) | Excellent, provides a secure grip when turning and standing on a slope | Wet terrain, playing fields, tee boxes |
| Spikeless shoes (engraved outsole) | Moderate, more suitable for daily practice and dry ground | Urban driving range, dry season grass, golf walking |
| Hybrid sole (micro-spike and engraving) | Medium to high, suitable for both daily use and official competitions | General use, tourist courses, beginners |
This is why many professional players still choose spikes: they provide stronger ground control than ordinary flat shoes. In a game where the difference between winning and losing is only one stroke, every step must be firm and accurate.
3 Tips for Beginners to Choose Shoes
- Choose waterproof shoes to deal with morning dew or sudden drizzle
- Choose "spikes" or "no spikes" structure according to the court environment
- Focus on arch support and midsole shock absorption to protect the feet from fatigue caused by long-term walking
Common Misconceptions and Purchasing Myths
- Mistakenly thinking that appearance is the most important thing : over-emphasizing appearance and ignoring functionality
- Mistakenly believing that "jogging shoes can also be used" : Although they can be worn, they cannot meet professional needs
- Ignoring the size and last design : Golf shoes that are worn for a long time and are not the right size are prone to blisters
Conclusion: Good shoes take you further
The accuracy of every shot on the golf course comes from the stable support of your feet. A pair of excellent golf shoes can not only make your swing more powerful and your walking more comfortable, but also allow you to show confidence and professionalism at every moment of your golfing. From today on, give yourself a pair of shoes that are truly "born for golf" and take the first step towards professionalism.
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