Benefits Of Spikeless Golf Shoes Vs Spiked – Should You Wear Them?

Fortunately for our generation of avid golfers, we have it easy on the golf shoe front.

We have come a long way from hammering nails into the soles of our shoes for added traction. These days we have soft spikes, hard spikes and even spikeless golf shoes, so which one’s do you use?

The intention of this post is to assess the benefits of spikeless golf shoes vs spiked designs. Upon the conclusion of this article, you will have a clearer idea of the design that offers you the most value.

 

Golf Shoes Types Overview

For most of my golfing career, I have played with soft spiked golf shoes.

It was either those or metal spikes, which would cause discomfort to the soles of my feet during 18-holes.

Nowadays, we also have the option of spineless shoes, which offer maximum comfort, but don’t grip as well on wet turf.

 

Are Spikeless Shoes A New Trend? History Of Golf Shoes

Spikeless golf shoes were first exposed to the public at The 2010 Masters when Fred Couples sported Ecco Street Premier spikeless golf shoes.

Couples finished sixth that week, but the shoes attracted the attention of fans and the media.

According to Ecco, the television publicity that Couples received that week prompted approximately $55 million in unpaid brand exposure.

Golf shoes have evolved slowly but surely over the past two centuries. Our forefathers were hammering nails into the soles of their shoes in the mid-1800s.

Obviously, this ended with nails being driven into their feet and a subsequent diagnosis of Tetanus.

After being fed up with feet injuries, an unknown inventor designed a shoe where metal spikes could be screwed into the sole, making it safer and slightly more comfortable.

The metal spike construction evolved over the next hundred years, until 1993 when a campaign to ban winter metal spikes was endorsed by multiple U.S State Golf Associations.

As a result, soft spike golf shoes were born and were the industry standard until spikeless shoes arrived on the scene.

 

Are Spikeless Shoes Allowed On Any Course?

While each course has its own rules regarding what spikes you can wear, most courses in my experience, allow spikeless shoes.

In fact, they benefit the club and the greenskeeper as spikeless shoes will not rip up wet turf like their spiked counterparts.

 

Can I Just Wear My Regular Sneakers On A Golf Course?

Yes, you can wear regular sneakers on the course, and I do as well from time to time.

The downside with regular sneakers is that they were not designed for golf at do not deliver the level of grip you would enjoy with soft spiked shoes.

 

What Are The Benefits Of Spikeless Shoes

Comfortable

Spikeless shoes weigh less than their spiked counterparts, making it easier to walk 18-holes.

The lack of spikes also means that you won’t endure the uncomfortable feeling of the spikes screw wearing down and poking into the sole of your foot.

Trust me, I am well versed in the art of foot injuries from golf spikes.

No Spikes

The spikeless design of the shoes means you will not have to worry about changing spikes when they wear out, saving you time and a few shekels.

Furthermore, spikeless golf shoes provide more comfort for the soles of your feet.

Breathability

Depending on the materials used, golf shoes can be water or rain resistant, helping to keep your feet dry in wet conditions.

These materials also help to wick away sweat from your feet on warm days out.

Multi-Purpose

Possibly the finest characteristic of spikeless shoes is that they have a multi-purpose use.

You can use them on the course and off the course which means you no longer need to drive to the club wearing flip-flops.

Better For The Course

Spikeless golf shoes are better for the course, as you are less likely to rip up the turf in wet conditions.

There are few worse feelings on the course than playing in the rain behind a four-ball whose spikes have ripped up the green.

Disadvantages Of Spikeless Shoes

Grip

For the most part, spikeless shoes provide excellent grip.

However, in wet conditions, you may lose your footing more than with spiked shoes. I also find that they don’t hold as well on a sloped lie.

Wear And Tear

Because you can use spikeless shoes on and off the course, it means you wear them more than a spiked golf shoe, thus eroding it faster.

The more your shoes decay, the less grip you enjoy on the soles of your spikeless shoes.

Cost

Since you use your spikeless shoes more than a spiked golf shoe, it has a shorter life span.

This means you will need to budget for buying new golf shoes frequently, which can add up quickly.

Spikeless Shoes Vs Spiked Shoes

When To Wear Spikeless Golf Shoes?

If you are playing in dry conditions with no threat of rain, I would recommend spikeless golf shoes.

Furthermore, if you are walking, then there is no question that spikeless is the way to go. The shoes are lighter, more comfortable and suited to good weather.

When To Wear Spiked Shoes?

Spiked shoes are preferable if you are playing in wet conditions.

The spikes will enhance your grip on the turf and keep your feet firm on the ground during your swing. In these conditions, spikeless shoes can cause you to slip.

Metal Spikes Vs Soft Spikes?

Soft spikes are more comfortable to use than metal spikes as they don’t dig into your sole when they are worn down.

However, metal spikes do provide optimal traction, especially in wet conditions.

However, metal spikes wreak havoc on the course and turn up greens, which is a nightmare for the greenskeeper and fellow golfers. As Chris Chaney explains here.

 

Are Pros Wearing Spiked Or Spikeless Shoes?

According to an article by SwingU’s Chris Chaney. 20 – 25% of players on the PGA Tour use metal spikes.

These include names such as Tiger Woods, Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas.

The remaining three-quarters of players opt for a soft spike or spikeless shoe.

When To Switch From Spikeless To Spiked?

It is always a good idea to acquire both types of shoes, to be able to enhance your experience in wet and dry conditions on the course.

If the course is wet, you are going to want to play in spiked shoes to ensure you maximize your traction on the turf.

 

When To Switch From Spiked To Spikeless?

If there is no rain forecast during your round. Or you intend on walking 18-holes, then the spikeless shoes are the way to go.

They provide more comfort under these conditions than spiked shoes.

 

Should I Get Waterproof Golf Shoes?

Waterproof golf shoes are an excellent idea.

However, they will fetch a higher price than rain-resistant golf shoes and offer the most value to golfers who play early in the morning in damp conditions or those of you who live in high rainfall areas.

 

How Often Should You Change Your Golf Shoes?

Although golf brands will tell you to upgrade your shoes annually so that you can fund their R&D expenses, I say change them when you need to. It is easy to determine when your golf shoes are toast.

If you wear spikeless shoes, you will need to change them out for a new pair when you start slipping on your backswing. This is caused by a reduction in traction.

The beauty with soft spike shoes is that when you start losing traction, you swap the spikes out for new one’s.

However, like anything, the wear and tear will reduce the shoes ability to resist rain and other moisture, eventually rendering it unusable.

How Often To Pros Change Them?

It depends on the player in terms of how often they change their golf shoes.

Some Pros will wear different shoes every day of a tournament. While others will stick to what works best for them.

The conditions will play a part in determining whether a Pro plays with metal spikes, soft spikes or spikeless shoes.

Best Spikeless Golf Shoes – Pick 3 From Amazon – Mini Review

Ecco Three Gore-Tex

Key Features

• Waterproof
• E-DTS Outsole
• Gore-Tex technology
• Ecco Zonal Fluidform technology
• The outsole contains 800 traction angles

Main Selling Points

The Ecco Three Gore-Tex is an excellent golf shoe option for golfers that play in high rainfall areas.

The waterproof material combines with innovative technology to deliver a comfy, stable and flexible shoe.

The E-DTS hybrid outsole design incorporates over 800 traction angles to ensure your feet remain stable throughout your backswing, impact and follow-through.

Pros

• Waterproof
• Enhanced grip
• Stable
• Washable sole
• Lightweight
• Flexible
• Absorbs impact well

Cons

• Grip deteriorates rapidly, if used off the course
• Shorter life span than spiked shoes
• Generates less traction in the wet
• Expensive

Overall Score: 96/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Adidas Tech Response

Key Features

• Lightweight EVA midsole
• Breathable mesh
• Low profile thin-tech
• Wide-fit
• Three-month comfort guarantee

Main Selling Points

Adidas Tech Response golf shoes are a low construction design to deliver enhanced traction on the course.

They also contain a lightweight cloud foam sockliner ensuring optimal comfort and reducing the risk of blisters on your ankle.

Furthermore, Adidas developed the Tech Response shoes with a breathable mesh cushion to keep your feet dry and absorb impact during your swing.

Pros

• Lower grounding for enhanced traction
• Optimal comfort
• Reduce the risk of blisters on your ankles
• Absorbs the impact on your feet throughout your swing
• Excellent breathability
• 91-day comfort guarantee

Cons

• It is not waterproof
• Grip does not hold as well in the wet
• Has fewer traction zones than the Ecco Three Gore-Tex
• Sizes Run Small

Overall Score: 94/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Puma Ignite NXT

Key Features

• Pro-Form TPU outsole
• Organically altered traction pattern
• Ignite foam mid-sole wrapped in SoleShiled
• Waterproof vamp
• PWRFRAME reinforcement
• Secure fit

Main Selling Points

Puma’s Ignite NXT golf shoes deliver comfort, performance and durability in one design. The shoes carry a sporty yet smart look, allowing you to wear them both on the course and as casual wear.

The shoes are fitted with an Ignite Foam midsole that shields them from damage and enhances their durability. On top of these features, the shoes sport waterproof mesh vamps that will keep your feet cool and dry throughout your round.

Pros

• Sporty yet classy appearance
• Enhanced comfort
• Durable
• Optimal flexibility
• Superior traction
• Waterproof and breathable vamp
• Easy to clean

Cons

• These shoes have 700 fewer traction zones than the Ecco Three Gore-Tex shoes
• You are susceptible to slipping during your swing in wet conditions

Overall Score: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Adidas Codechaos PrimeBlue Golf Shoe – Best Ladies Shoe

Key Features

• Constructed using Parley ocean plastic
• Sock like feel
• Responsive boost midsole
• Waterproof vamp
• Twistgrip technology

Main Selling Points

The Adidas Codechaso shoes are manufactured using repurposed plastic that has been removed from our oceans.

However, the environmentally friendly design of these shoes is not the only element that will impress you.

The construction of the shoes achieves a sock like feel for those wearing them, making it comfortable to traverse 18-holes of golf. Furthermore, the shoes contain a waterproof vamp that will keep your feet dry in any condition.

Pros

• Slick appearance
• Comfortable
• Optimal traction
• They can be used on wet turf
• Environmentally friendly

Cons

• Your grip is reduced in the rain compared to spiked shoes
• The rainbow pattern stitching across the shoe will not appeal to all golfers

Overall Score: 94/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Conclusion On The Benefits Of Spikeless Golf Shoes vs Spiked

Glancing over our review on the benefits of spikeless golf shoes vs spiked, it is clear that both of them have their place in your wardrobe.

It is recommended that you keep a pair of spikeless golf shoes for days when you play in dry conditions or when you are walking.

Conversely, spiked shoes will enhance your traction on the turf in wet conditions, and there are more options available that are rain or waterproof.

If you are a traditionalist who only owns spikes, it is worth trying a pair of spikeless golf shoes, as you will benefit from the comfort.

My recommendation for the average male golfer is to consider the Ecco Three Gore-Tex. While they may be more expensive, they offer superior traction, comfort and stability.