Do Some Women’s Obsession with Shoes Matter in Golf?
It has been said that a “journey of a thousand miles begins with a fabulous pair of shoes.” Maybe that’s not how it’s usually said, but I do agree that a great journey should include a great pair of shoes, especially when you’re playing a round of golf. Golf shoes and women who wear them are giving themselves BIG advantages over others who don’t.
Why Golf Shoes Matter – These Shoes Were MADE for Golfing!
For someone who likes shoes, but loves golf more, I can tell you that finding the right pair of golf shoes is essential for both men and women golfers alike.
I have a minor fondness with shoes, but not to the extent that other women have. While I like to splurge a little bit on a nice pair here and there, I have never shelled out a lot of money on most of the shoes in my collection. For me, shoes have to function as part of an outfit and not as something that the whole outfit is mirrored around.
With golf, I make an exception to that rule (sorry to the husbands reading this article). I am not afraid to spend a little more on a nicer pair of golf shoes; something that I don’t normally do with this kind of accessory.
The reason for this rule change of mine? Golf shoes are not just an accessory; they are an important tool for playing golf in. Golf shoes are designed for comfort, resilience for all weather conditions, longevity and they contain grip-like quality on the bottom of the shoe to ensure a steady golf swing. For any golfer (male or female), shoes do make a difference in the game.
Golf Shoes vs Sneakers
It’s extremely important to find the right pair of shoes that will work for you. Both my husband and myself use golf shoes, while my brother-in-law prefers to use his normal sneakers. I don’t know how he plays without the proper foot ware, because without the gripping of the pleats, I find that I will not hit the ball nearly as well as I normally can.
I recently wore a pair of shoes I work out in to golf, because my one knee had been bothering me. At the time, I hadn’t invested in a protective sleeve for my knee to keep it from hurting. I thought these shoes would cushion my feet (thus alleviating the pain in my knee) better as I pushed my golf bag and when I had to hit my ball. By the end of the round, I realized that I should of just left those shoes in the car as they were not meant to play golf in.
These shoes completely threw off my footing and my stance did not feel nearly as steady as it should. When I finally swung through on my shot I felt completely wobbly and it showed in my golf shots. The placement of my feet would not stay grounded in my golf stance on my drives or fairway hits. You could tell I was off, and I knew that something didn’t feel right in my game.
My fitness shoes weren’t even as comfortable as my golf shoes, aside from the extra padding they provided inside the shoe, it still wasn’t worth it to wear them. Needless to say, the next time I went out to play I brought my golf shoes and my knee sleeve, and I played a much better round of golf. That is why I highly recommend investing a good pair of golf shoes.
Things to Consider When Buying a Pair of Golf Women’s Golf Shoes
Here are my most important aspects that a shoe (any kind, not just golf) must meet before I proceed on buying them:
1.) Comfort (Very important as I am flat footed)
2.) Practicality (seven-foot-high heels aren’t practical for me)
3.) Looks (could I match them and/or wear them a lot)
4.) Price (Will the price tag give me a heart attack or will I jump for joy knowing I can afford them?)
In golf, you don’t have to think about wearing ‘high heels’ (at least not yet). However, comfort is crucial when playing the game, so picking out the right shoe is essential when going out to play nine or 18 holes of golf.
You can also read more tips on Buying the Perfect Pair of Women’s Golf Shoes
My Personal Favorite
My current pair of golf shoes that I wear (and love) are the Footjoy Women’s LoPro Golf Shoes (Model # 97222). Not only are they extremely comfortable, but they also contain my favorite color (pink).
The LoPro’s match all of my criteria that I look for in a golf shoe. They provide incredible comfort while maintaining extreme durability in rainy or dry conditions. I have also had them for over two years of steady golf playing, and they still feel look and feel pretty nice.
The sleek exterior of this shoe is also something that is truly eye-catching. They are flashy, but not obnoxiously (like John Daly’s golf pants). I get a lot of compliments on these shoes because the colors add some flare while still looking classy. I also wear them with any golf outfit (blue outfit with pink golf shoes – absolutely!).
The LoPros are very slender looking. They come to more of a pointed peak than a rounded one. I thought that the shoe would actually squeeze my toes, but they fit my feet perfectly. They are extremely comfortable and for someone who is flat-footed (like myself), my feet never ache after a round of nine or 18 holes.
The FootJoy LoPro’s also have the PulsarTM cleats by Softspike, the #1 selling cleats in golf. The gripping power of these cleats make this golf shoe fit for any fairway condition. If you’d prefer a different style, check out what FootJoy LoPros are on Amazon.
Most of the reviews that I have found have been pretty favorable for this shoe. One other flat-footed golfer also commented on their comfort and how they didn’t make her feet ache after a round of golf. Another reviewer mentioned that they never got blisters or felt like the shoe ‘pinched’ her when she played. The price of these shoes is also fairly reasonable offered as well. I recommend comparing prices online to see who offers the best deal and/or has the best seller reputation. In the end, most everyone agreed that these shoes set the standard in women’s golf shoes.
Conclusion
Before going out and buying golf shoes, I highly encourage you to do some research and to try a few styles on. Be sure to remember the aspects of what’s important to you in finding a good shoe, and to carry that over when picking out a pair of golf shoes. After all, you want to enjoy the game of golf, and having an awesome pair of golf shoes will only make that journey more worthwhile.
I would love to hear your insights on golf shoes. Golf shoes and women who wear them will soon find yourself playing better and enjoying more – guaranteed! Do you play with them or do you prefer regular sneakers?
Got a golf shoe you love? Please share your experience!
For more information on the Women’s LoPro’s (Model #97222)
I thoroughly enjoyed your article; it was an insightful read. My wife is venturing into the world of golf and is gearing up to play for the first time next weekend. As beginners, we’re wondering if there are specific styles of golf shoes tailored for those new to the game, or if the focus is primarily on quality and brand.
Given that we’re uncertain about her continued interest in golf, we’re a bit hesitant about how much to invest in a pair of shoes. Do you have any recommendations for reasonably priced beginner-friendly options? Moreover, is it mandatory for her to wear golf shoes while on the course, or are there alternatives for beginners?
Any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Shopping for Christmas already and came across your site, the pic at the top stopped me in my tracks (no way! but then I see that’s the point!). Anyway, good info here on what to look for in women’s golf shoes. I think mostly what she is looking for is comfort as there is nothing competitive about our game. Of course style matters too and those FJ’s are pretty sharp. Thanks again
Randy
Thanks for your comment, Randy! I don’t think they make golf shoes like the title pic…at least not yet.
Will you be purchasing FootJoy’s as your Christmas gift? I look forward to hearing your response.
Ok, so I may not be a women but I do play golf (although not as often as I would like)! To be honest, I don’t have any golf shoes. I play with my trainers/sneakers. Maybe foolish considering on a number of occasions I nearly slipped after swinging the club. Maybe I was over enthusiastic. Having said that, I do not play enough to warrant me to spend all that money on a pair of specialist shoes.
Your post does enlighten me on the importance of wearing golf shoes though, especially if I’m serious about my golf. Not getting any injuries is important!
Thank you for your post. It’s making me think twice about whether to purchase a pair.
Thanks for your comment, Arif!
I do believe that golf shoes are important, especially for someone who golfs quite a bit.
Check out this site here: https://golfkicks.com/. It can convert your everyday shoes into a pair of golf shoes. This may be a product to try out before investing into something that you may only wear a few times.
Happy Golfing!!
Great read. I like how you explained the importance of the golf shoe while staying true to it’s functionality. I also really enjoyed your take on the lopros. It really sounds like you know your stuff on this topic. I enjoy the subtle humour and the explanation of many different types of shoes. Great blog post.
Thank you for your kind words, Simon. I appreciate you taking the time to read the article, and that you enjoyed my subtle humor.
I love golf and the effect the game has had in my life has really helped shape who I am. I can always learn more about the game, but I don’t mind that one bit!
Hello Scott:
Thank you so much for reading my article! I am glad you enjoyed it.
That’s great that your wife is giving golf a shot! It’s a great sport to do together and for many years too. I would recommend seeing if she likes playing and then investing in golf shoes. I am not the biggest fan of using sneakers, but I have been playing for some time so I notice the difference on what I am wearing on my feet. For someone who is just learning, the shoes may be the least of the worries at first. If you happen to know another women golfer maybe your wife can borrow shoes for the day if they are her size. It’s not necessary, but worth a shot to ask. 🙂
If she enjoys the game and wants to buy shoes, I am a big Footjoy fan for women’s golf shoes. I think they are reasonably priced and you get a great golf shoe in both quality and comfort. Nike, Callaway and other golf brands do carry golf shoes and range on the pricier side. Obviously, there are always sales on certain types of golf shoes from any retailer so be sure to check those sales out on the websites as well.
Each golf course is different on their rules for attire. Some are very strict while others are more laid back on their exact attire. My husband and I don’t always wear colored shirts, but we wear shirts that are appropriate for the game (no t-shirts, crop tops, etc.). I would check in with the golf course you plan on playing at to see what exactly their rules are on proper golf clothes.
Hope this helps and I hope you both have a great time!!
Great article Summer!
FootJoy by far is the best selling and #1 golf shoe brand in the country, if not the world. They offer a quality shoe at a very good price, and I myself have worn nothing but FootJoy’s my entire life. But as you said, Nike and Callaway are popular and solid choices as well.
I can’t really get the proper traction/stability needed through the swing without them.
Thanks Joanne!
I am glad you also like Footjoy golf shoes. May I ask which golf shoe you currently use from Footjoy?
Hahaha, if I could only remember!
I’ve had them for too many years I don’t recall the “model”. Another good thing about FootJoy – they LAST!
Might be time for me to get some new shoes though!
Thanks again Summer! … love your writing.
Goes to show you that they have a great longevity!
You’re too kind, Joanne. I enjoy writing about golf, so thank YOU for having me contribute.
Nice article. I enjoyed the read. My wife is currently new to the game of golf. She plans to play for the first time next weekend. Are there certain styles for beginners or are you mostly paying for quality and brand. I’m not sure how much to invest in a shoe since we don’t know if she will want to continue playing. Do you have any recommendations for the type of shoe she should get? Also, is it a rule that she must wear golf shoes while golfing?
I agreed with you