It’s not enough to buy golf shoes that everyone else is wearing. If you have specific needs, you need to buy the correct shoe fit and style. One of the things that golfers always inquire about is spiked or spikeless golf shoes.
Spiked or spikeless golf shoes make a huge difference in a golf game. They have everything to do with traction, durability, comfort, and fit, and style. So, if you’re still in two minds about not finding the right golf shoes that fit you well. You can rely on what follows next to help you out.
Spiked or Spikeless Golf Shoes – Core Features
1. Traction
Traction refers to how grounded and anchored you feel to the ground. And it’s one of the significant features of spiked or spikeless golf shoes. You will find most spiked shoes with a cleated design. Made using soft, flexible plastic and not metal.
You won’t see advanced players wearing metal spikes because they damage the greens. So plastic cleats are enough to boost traction and stability on the course.
You can also buy replaceable spikes for better fine-tuning. Replaceable spikes boost lateral stability and grip during swinging. So spiked shoes are a good treat for golfers who want such kind of performance.
Spikeless shoes, on the other hand, have rubber numbs instead of plastic cleats. They still offer grip and stability. With specialized zones that target how the shoes feel on the ground. Enhancing grip, stability, rotation, and durability of the outsole.
In many ways, spikeless shoes outperform spiked ones. They hold up better in terms of use and wearability. However, if you’re looking to play in wet weather, having spiked shoes is a better idea. It offers more traction, stability, and durability on soggy greens.
2. Comfort
Are spikeless shoes more comfortable? As far as comfort goes, spikeless shoes have a huge advantage. They are lightweight than spiked shoes, that’s for sure. And with no plastic cleats or inserts, they feel light too.
In spiked shoes, you will sense a bit of heaviness. Not that this will interfere with your golf swing. But it will seem tiresome to wear for a prolonged period of time.
With the right golf shoes for wide feet, spiked shoes can feel constricting in some ways. You will feel the pressure of the outsole in areas with the spikes are. So during walking and strolling about, it’ll be best if you remove the shoes and do so.
3. Fit
The fit of spiked or spikeless golf shoes does not interfere with the traction. But it does have an influence over how you feel while playing. If the shoes do not fit properly, it can lead to clumsy shots.
So, it’s important to find shoes that are of an accurate and exact fit.
For spiked shoes, you need to be very specific about what you want. Whether that is making micro-adjustments in terms of heel and ankle support. If your shoes are pinching you at the heel and not near the toe box. You can always opt for replaceable spiked shoes for an accurate fit.
With spikeless shoes, this is not a problem. In the place of plastic cleats, they have rubber numbs that regulate better weight transfer. You won’t feel a tight or constrictive fit from spikeless shoes. Unless, of course, you’re wearing the wrong size.
Arch support is also very important. It determines how your feet pronate while you’re wearing them. Modern technologies offer a more cushioned footbed with or without spikes. This allows you to get a more accurate and comfortable fit from golf shoes.
Conclusion
Shoes are your only point of contact with the greens. Whether it’s in hot weather or cold, dry or damp. If you don’t wear the right spiked or spineless golf shoes. You are bound to face challenges and make errors.
Golfers, beginners and advanced, are taking a closer look at this. In order to gain more traction, durability, and stability, knowing the right shoe style is important for you.
And if you want to know what came first – spiked or spikeless. The answer is spiked golf shoes. Spikes in the outsole for golf shoes were invented for playing on damp greens. And then, later on, it became a good back-up for extra stability and traction. And that trend continues even today.
Carolyn Heller‘s personal experience as a golf instructor puts her at the forefront of the latest golf news and advice. She has rightfully earned her place as an honest blogger by suggesting some of the best golf tips to newcomers and advanced players. From golf equipment, styles to techniques, Carolyn knows what counts. So, if you want to radically change the way you play, you can definitely turn to her creative, smart expertise as a golfer.
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.