Best men’s golf shoes 2022: Spiked, traditional and more

Best: Golf shoe overall

Rating: 10/10

This pair of premium Ecco golf shoes are some of the most comfortable shoes – golf or otherwise – that we’ve ever tried out. They’re favoured by a number of tour pros, with a custom design in collaboration with Erik van Rooyen – one of the most stylish players on tour, with a killer moustache to boot – and endorsed by YouTube golf star Rick Shiels, no less.

The Tri-Fi grip sole gives excellent comfort and grip and the Gore-Tex waterproof technology makes them sturdy enough for robust weather. Perhaps most importantly, the looks tread a perfect line between smart and casual to deliver a shoe that works just about anywhere. They’re breathable in the summer and still waterproof, which makes them one of the most versatile available. We also wore these for a few days off the course and they more than held their own there too.

We wore them for a week straight and came away very impressed. They come at a pretty high-end price point, but when shoes can pretty much do everything as well as this pair, it’s well worth it.

Best: Golf shoe for casual summer rounds

Rating: 8/10

The comfort, paired with the affordable price point offered by the Adidas Adicross range alone, makes them the ideal option for people first getting into the game – or those looking for an accessible option for summer rounds at a good price. They’re dedicated golf shoes, but still cater to the casual player’s needs and offer a more street style-inspired look than many other options out there. They’re ideal for chucking on before a sunny Saturday round, but be warned that they’re suited best for fair-weather rounds as the water-resistant uppers could struggle in wet and windy rounds.

Best of all, they come at an affordable price point and cost less than you’d pay for a good pair of trainers, while offering good looks and rugged wearability. At £75, they’re one of the cheaper pairs we could find which still look the business when you pull them on.

The Adicross retros are golf shoes for the everyman who wants to look smart on his local course and not break the bank to do so. A very good choice.

Best: Golf shoe for heavy duty rounds

Rating: 8/10

Sadly, we can’t guarantee perfect golf weather all year round – which is probably for the best, as we’d be out there 365 days a year if we could. While more casual pairs of golf shoes are perfect for summer sessions on the course, there will likely come times where players will require something a little more substantial. That’s where a top pair like the HOVR drive 2s comes in.

While we’re getting used to seeing more and more spikeless pairs on the shelves of our local golf shop, there will always be a demand for heavy duty pairs that can take a kicking out on the soggiest of fairways and come out unscathed. And Under Armour has a range of tech-packed shoes which offer athletic performance and fit, including a pair of the HOVR tours which we also found to be good options when we tested them out. But it was the HOVR drive 2s that made the cut.

They felt rugged as soon as we put them on, and still retained admirable comfort. There’s a waterproof membrane which helps to keep the shoes feeling lightweight but secure, as well as nice touches like the robust 3D print toe guard. It also comes with a one year waterproof warranty. Impressive.

Best: Trainer style golf shoe with bold looks

Rating: 8/10

The game of golf has come a long way, and these fashionable Puma kicks prove just how much the world of golf attire has moved with the times too. The Puma RS-G are some of the most striking options when it comes to golf shoes available now. They’re nice and comfortable, with chunky soles and more than enough grip for summer rounds, and they’re waterproof too.

But the looks are the biggest selling point. They work just as well with a pair of jeans after a round as they do with golf trousers or shorts out on the links – and that makes them a great option for people new to the game. If you buy these and don’t end up playing quite as much as you’d imagine, you’ll still have a pair of great trainer-style shoes in your wardrobe.

You might think twice about wearing the Puma RS-Gs to a bucket list course, and the looks will likely prove too bold for some people, but for distinctive styling on and off the course these are pretty hard to beat. Do bear in mind, though, that the sizing can be a little snug, and the company recommends going half a size up.

Best: Golf shoes for crossover styling

Rating: 9/10

Golfers probably only need a second to look at the regents from Duca Del Cosma, and they’ll know whether they love the look of them or wouldn’t touch them with a barge pole. It’s true that they might not appeal to plenty of players with more contemporary tastes, but we love them. They’re hand made in Italy and the quality is apparent right out the box. There’s plenty of grip on offer from the rubber spike-style soles, but the styling really is the selling point.

They’re not waterproof, so don’t be taking them out on squelchy fairways. But they’re ideal crossover pieces designed for players seeking a very wearable, transferable option that blends the modern game with old school styling.

We took them up to play a couple of posh courses in Scotland on our annual trip and the quality feel of the construction and the beautiful looks made us feel at home. They take a little breaking in, but they’ll make you the sharpest dressed in the 19th hole after the round.

Best: Golf shoes for the true contemporary player

Rating: 8/10

Don’t care for the look of traditional golf shoes? The Adidas CodeChaos 22 are about as far removed from the old-school as you can get. Huge, bold styling is paired with athletic performance here. In some ways the shoes resemble a premium running shoe in looks, and the feel underfoot also lends itself to athletic performance.

The boost technology in the soles will put a spring in your step, while the spikeless soles offer some of the best traction we tried. There’s also the moulded EVA sockliner which adds to the fit and function nicely. And the upper is made with at least 50 per cent recycled materials, which is an admirable feature. Then, of course, there’s a choice of slap-you-in-the-face colour ways.

Traditionalists might balk at the idea of these, but the game is changing faster than ever in 2022. Get on board.

Best: Premium golf shoe for traditional players

Rating: 9/10

Now, these are the kind of golf shoes you want to play bucket list courses in. FootJoy have incorporated traditional looks with modern manufacturing in the tarlows, which are some of the most popular on tour. They’re worn by Justin Thomas, one of the most stylish players on tour, and one Tiger Woods, to name a few.

To look at them, you might expect them to wear a little stiff, rub like hell and leave your feet cut up with blisters the first time you wear them, but our experience couldn’t have been further from that. The soft leather and sheepskin linings provided real comfort, even with just a pair of thin ankle socks on underneath.

There’s also a wide choice of colour options and the high quality finish is evident throughout – from the quality of the leather to the stitching and the solid but supple feel of the shoe overall. They’re totally waterproof too and the spikes make them suited to pretty much any environment. The design is stunning and for us they’re the best looking shoe on the list, but the traditional style definitely won’t appeal to all.

The most important thing about them, though? They feel special when you pull them on. The premiere tarlows aren’t the right shoes for a knockabout at the club after work, but if you’re going somewhere special, these are the ones you want in your bag.