How to Shop for Golf Shoes; A Guide to Purchasing by Robb Thomas
Like all shoes, a golf shoe must fit properly. Brand names, cost and extra frills aside, you want a shoe that fits comfortably and supports your foot properly. Of course, once you have a fit down, there are a few things to consider when purchasing and maintaining a pair of golf shoes.
1. Technology and Spikes: Golf shoes have progressed over the years. Older golf shoes used to have spikes that were made out of metal, giving golfers a firm grip on the green. Today, many golf courses have banned the metal spikes in an effort to save their grass.
A contemporary golf shoe will have soft spikes that are made out of plastic or a rubber blend.
2. Waterproof or Not?: There are a number of golf shoes today made out of materials like Gore-Tex or Teflon-coated vinyl, giving golfers a waterproof shoe that breathes. These shoes may not be as luxurious as leather shoes or as quick to break in, but they will protect your feet and socks from getting wet on a drizzly day or on the dew from an early morning tee-off time.
3. Ease of Wear: A golfer once told me that my slip-on golf shoes were for old people. I then watched him spend the afternoon bending over every other hole to re-tie his shoes.
The point is that you should pick a shoe that’s right for you and comfortable, not one that’s cool, trendy or endorsed by the latest professional celebrity.
4. Warranty: A good golf shoe will come with a quality and craftsmanship warranty for at least one year. If, within the warranty period, your stitching comes apart or your spikes come loose, you should be able to get a new pair at no extra cost.
5. Color: Typically, a golf shoe is going to come in white, off-white, gray, brown, taupe and sometimes black. Before you choose a golf shoe that’s outside of this traditional color range, think about your golf wardrobe and the statement you want to make on the golf course. Do you want people to be admiring your last stroke or wondering why you chose to wear lime green shoes?
6. Flexibility: Pick a shoe that’s going to break in quickly and easily. You want your shoes to move with you and give you freedom of movement throughout your swing. Remember, to always practice the full range of a swing motion when trying on a pair of shoes.
About the Author: For both practical and exciting golf course and general golfing improvement aids information, please visit http://www.golf-the-course.com, a popular site providing great insights concerning all kinds of relevant interests for the golf enthusiast.
