Choosing the Right Golf Shoes: Spiked vs. Spikeless

Every golfer wants to have the best gear for the game and golf shoes are no exception. All of the biggest names in golf footwear make a variety of styles, but ultimately you choose between two categories: spiked or spikeless. The differences between the two used to be vast, but now they are incredibly similar with some shoe manufacturers making a spiked and spikeless model of their most popular styles. To make it easier to choose, we compared the two types of golf shoes across a number of categories so you can find which one best suits your needs.

TRACTION

Traction is the biggest thing most golfers think of when it comes to choosing between spiked and spikeless shoes. Spiked shoes have that classic cleated design that helps anchor you to the ground. The majority of cleats are now made of a softer, plastic material since most courses have outlawed metal spikes because they can cause damage to greens. Replaceable spikes do provide more lateral stability because of the way they grip into the ground during the golf swing.

However, spikeless traction has come a long way. Spikeless golf shoes generally featured rubber nubs on the outsole, and while those are still available, there are many more options. For example, ECCO’s Tri-Fi Grip outsole is made of TPU and features specific zones for stability, durability, and rotation. NIKE’s Articulated Integrated Traction uses a fin-like pattern to grab into the ground. So while the traditional way of thinking that spikes mean more traction generally holds up, spikeless golf shoes are not far behind.

The difference in traction does become more pronounced if you play in wet weather. Spiked golf shoes do provide much more grip on soggy ground. If you play in wetter climates, you will likely be a fan of the grip spiked shoes have to offer more so than spikeless.

DURABILITY

The more you walk, the more the soles on your shoes wear down. That’s a fact of life on and off the golf course, and one that also separates spiked golf shoes from spikeless. With spiked shoes, those replaceable cleats wear down. You will notice a difference when they start to lose their grip. The good news is, with the help of a cleat wrench and the right replacement spikes, you can easily get like-new grip with a quick change of spikes. As long as you take good care of the rest of the shoe, there is no reason a pair of spiked shoes won’t last a long time.

Spikeless shoes do not have that luxury. Shoe manufacturers do a great job using durable materials in their spikeless outsoles, but they still wear down. And once they have worn down and start losing traction, they are not as effective on the golf course. If you wear your spikeless shoes on and off the course (more on this just a little later), they will wear down faster. The bright side: even if you have less traction on the golf course, a pair of spikeless shoes can transition to exclusive off-course use.

COMFORT

Comfort is a category where spikeless shoes probably have an advantage, even if newer technologies have made it a slight one. Spikeless golf shoes are generally lighter since they don’t have plastic cleats or the insert system necessary to use them. That also eliminates the added pressure points where your foot stands over the cleats of a spiked shoe.

Newer technologies like lighter materials and cushioning such as adidas Boost Foam mean spiked shoes are more comfortable now than they have ever been. The difference really is minor, but if you prefer the comfort of a shoe that’s more akin to your favorite sneakers, you may not be the biggest fan of spiked shoes.

VERSATILITY

This is where spikeless golf shoes really shine. You can put them on before you even leave the house, drive to the course, play a round, stop off at the 19th hole afterward, and even stop for a couple of errands on the way home without ever having to change your shoes. There are plenty of golfers out there who will wear their spikeless shoes to the office or for an evening out.

Spiked golf shoes have one purpose: playing golf. A lot of players like that fact too. They are willing to sacrifice versatility for the traction and longevity of spikes. But if you place a premium on versatility, then spikeless is the clear choice in this category.

FIT

Whether you choose spiked or spikeless golf shoes, fit is important. While the fit doesn’t change no matter which traction system you choose, it’s worth mentioning that your golf shoes need to fit properly. We recommend measuring for your shoe size while wearing the type of socks you golf in to get the most accurate size.

Golfers can learn a lot from the current golf shoes as well. Pay attention to where your foot rubs and how the shoe wears down. If your foot rubs in the toe box, you may want a shoe with a wider last or wider width overall for more room in the front of the shoe. If your shoes wear down on the inside of the heel, this indicates your feet pronate and you need more arch support. If your shoes wear down on the outside of the heel, your feet supinate and you need a more flexible golf shoe.

Many golf shoes now include the Boa Fit System to further enhance the way your shoes fit. This dial allows you to make micro-adjustments to the fit of your shoes until you get them just the way you like them. It also locks in that fit and doesn’t come loose, so there’s no more adjusting your shoes during the round like traditional laces.

Spiked Or Spikeless?

Ultimately, the choice between spiked and spikeless golf shoes comes down to personal preference. The best way to decide is to consider the five factors we covered in this guide: traction, durability, comfort, versatility, and fit, and see which ones matter more to you. If you need more traction, then you will rate spiked golf shoes higher. If versatility is a key feature, then you want a spikeless shoe you can wear anywhere. At TGW, we have hundreds of styles of both so you can choose your favorite look and brand as well as outsole technology.