Traditional golf shoes are bulky and uncomfortable. If you were to walk 9 or 18 holes with those shoes, you are going to feel it when you get home. Your feet will be achy and you might not want to walk much the next day, let alone play another round!

If you typically walk the course when you play, you need to be very particular about the golf shoes that you pick. Otherwise, you’ll regret getting those high-dollar, hard, stiff golf shoes that you might buy. Even if you ride when you play, you still want to be comfortable when you are walking to and from the cart.

My best advice is this: buy the most comfortable golf shoes that will still allow you to stay grounded, even in the mist/light rain. This may sound like simple advice, but it is different for everyone. Someone, typically a beginner, that has a very slow swing speed and doesn’t get a lot of their power from their lower body can afford to get a super comfortable pair of shoes that doesn’t have any spikes at all. Because they don’t push from the ground much, they are much less likely to slip in any shot situation. The more powerful and more that you use your lower body, however, means that you’ll need a pair of shoes that will keep you grounded in your swing.

Here’s what to look for in a comfortable pair of golf shoes:

• breathability: if you play in hot weather, you won’t be comfortable unless your shoes allow your feet to breathe a little. Otherwise, your feet will start sweating like crazy. Hard to be comfortable when you are stepping in a small puddle of sweat with each step
• lightweight: if your current shoes are heavy, they you will notice on the back 9 when walking. When you feel like your shoes weigh 5 pounds, you should probably start looking for a more lightweight pair
• enough grip: comfort aside, you need to make sure your shoes allow you to swing freely without the fear of slipping due to not enough grip
• preferably spikeless: spikeless shoes tend to be more comfortable. No doubt about it. If your swing allows it, then choose spikeless. If you need the extra support and  grip, then you need spikes.
• great sole design: the thicker and softer the sole, the more your feet will thank you after your round
• water proof: if your feet get wet, and you don’t have waterproof shoes, you will NOT be comfortable in any shape or form. Make sure you end up with a waterproof pair if you tend to play even in some rain

Note, all of these links and photos below will take you to the respective pairs of shoes available on eBay!

Most Comfortable Shoes for Slower Swing Speeds: Skechers Go Golf

If you are a senior, a beginner, a women, or just someone that doesn’t develop a lot of club head speed, then you are blessed believe it or not! You can afford to get the most comfortable golf shoes imaginable… something that not all golfers have the luxury of doing. So what are they? The most comfortable golf shoes of all time are Skechers Go Golf series of golf shoes!

Remember: these shoes are not necessary for someone with slow swing speeds. They are really just for someone that doesn’t use much lower body/feet in their swing. If you have a mainly upper body dominant golf swing, then these shoes will be just fine for you too.

Due to your slow swing speed, you are much less likely to slip throughout your golf swing. Even in damp, slick condition, you probably will be just fine with a pair of shoes very similar to tennis shoes.

In general, more spikes means less comfortable. No spikes are the most comfortable. But that is not always correct.

There are many brands of golf shoes that simply focus on creating the most comfortable shoes possible. One of those companies, which I am a big fan of, is Sketchers. Yes, they used to be a brand that many people made fun of, but now they are super popular among golfers that want to be comfortable on the course.

Their best model for comfort is the Go Golf Fairway golf shoes, but they also have many other models that are just as comfortable. Sketcher’s doesn’t make any golf shoes with lots of spikes. They focus mostly on making slightly wider, light weight golf shoes with great soles. Many other golf shoe brands, like Adidas and FootJoy, make shoes that are too narrow in my opinion. Sure, they keep your feet from moving around, but they are very uncomfortable. And I don’t even have a wide foot! Plus, they don’t invest in much into their soles, so they wear down quicker and become uncomfortable. The soles in Sketchers are very high quality, thick, and soft.

For women, I would recommend the comfortable Skechers Go Golf Birdie women’s shoes. They come in many different colors and will feel great on your feet, even after walking 18 holes.

The Most Comfortable Shoes for Faster Swing Speeds: Nike Explorer 2

If you err on the side of a faster swing speed and more lower body action in your golf swing, then these comfortable Nike Explorer 2 golf shoes are a great fit for you. They are the most comfortable shoes that you can buy that will still allow you to stay grounded and swing freely. The design of their sole is unique in that it easily keeps you tied to the ground, without the need for expensive, annoying, uncomfortable spikes.

Most spikeless shoes, like the ones listed above, don’t keep you from slipping in your swing. These shoes will be just fine, even for those that use a lot of legs in their downswings. Many people taut that the Puma Men’s Grip shoes are even more comfortable than their regular walking shoes, which says a lot.

Plus, most shoes that are built more for comfort are not weather resistant. However, these in fact are, which is a huge plus. I’d hate to buy a pair of shoes just to have them somewhat ruined after just one day of poor weather or after stepping in a deep puddle.

Here are some reasons that these shoes are so comfortable:

• the toe is more rounded
• they weigh less than a pound each, much less than the average golf shoe
• the shoes are a tad bit wider than most, but not too much
• they are very breathable, in case you play in hot conditions
• they have a soft, foam midsole

On top of these benefits, the Nike Explorer 2 shoes come in a lot of great designs and color schemes, so you are sure to find one that sticks out to you. In summary, if you want a pair of comfortable, breathable, water proof, lightweight shoes that don’t cause you to slip, then the Nike Explorer shoes are the ones for you.

The Most Comfortable Golf Shoes with Spikes: Skechers Go Golf Pro 3 Lx 

If you want a pair of golf shoes with spikes (for extra support and grip during your swing), then check out Sketchers premium golf shoes. The Skechers Go Golf Pro 3 Lx model is super lightweight, offers great grip, and has a super comfortable sole.

For a spiked pair of golf shoes, it is about as comfortable as you can get. Other spiked shoes have a thinner, harder sole and tend to squeak a bit. These shoes are very quiet though, according to reviews.

Additionally, they have a two year waterproof guarantee, which is very uncommon for a shoe brand that focuses on comfort.

These might just be the lightest golf shoes with spikes on the market, which is another huge plus. They come in at less than 15 ounces per shoe. It’s very rare for spiked shoes to come in under 1 pound!

I would only recommend these shoes for someone that has a lot of lower body movement in their swings. If you have repeatedly slipped during your swing, that is a good sign that you should use a pair of golf shoes with spikes.

Most Comfortable Golf Shoes for Women: New Balance Women’s NBGW1006

New balance is going to be one of the top golf shoe brands in the world in a few years. You can quote me on that. They have been consistently producing top of the line golf shoes that feel incredible for walkers. Their soles are very thick and soft, and the shoes offer plenty of room. Many top women’s golf shoe brands are very tight on the feet, especially the toes. These comfortable NBCGW1006 shoes are a tad wider and more rounded around the toes, though.

For women that love to walk when they play, I’d advise against spiked golf shoes unless you know that you truly need them. Unless you have a problem slipping, especially in the rainy weather, you will be just fine with a more comfortable pair.

If you know that you need a pair with spikes, though, then I would suggest Adidas W Response Golf Shoes, as they will for sure keep you grounded in your swing.