Because so much of golf is spent looking down at a ball on the ground, one of the first things people notice is a player’s shoes. With so many fashion and lifestyle brands entering the golf space, there are more options than ever when it comes to picking the best golf shoes. From timeless premium leather classics to more sneaker-style spikeless shoes that transition seamlessly from the 18th green to the 19th hole, which pair of golf shoes you grab ultimately depends on the day’s function.
While some golf shoes are great for casual rounds, they won’t hold up when the weather turns bad, and a premium pair of soft spikes might be overkill for a laid back twilight round. To help you navigate the noise, I tested some of the best golf shoes of 2026 across multiple courses and weather conditions to find the perfect shoe for every occasion.
Overall Best Golf Shoe
FootJoy – Premiere Series
Price: $225-275
Best For: Players looking for a fully waterproof workhorse shoe with timeless design and premium materials that holds up in all weather conditions.
If I could only own one pair of golf shoes, it would be the FootJoy Premiere Series. I’ve had a pair of FootJoy Premieres since the category launched in 2021 and they are hands down the most versatile golf shoes I’ve ever worn. The FootJoy Premiere Series comes in a variety of timeless styles and the 2-year 100% waterproof guarantee means you can wear them anywhere, in any conditions. From damp early morning rounds at Torrey Pines to full on rain at Bethpage Black and everything in-between, these shoes can handle it.
Made from Premium Full Grain Leather, they’re built to last and they clean up really well. I use a shoe polish on them to keep them looking sharp and replace the spikes every season to keep the traction intact. I only have to replace the actual shoe after 3+ years of beating them up when I finally wear a hole in the heel or break them down to the point that they become uncomfortable. They’re expensive but the build quality makes it so they have to be replaced much more infrequently than other golf shoes. My only gripe is they change the styles year to year so if you find a style you like, they might not make that exact style a second time, but each style is classic so you can never go wrong.
Pros:
- 100% waterproof
- Exceptional quality and long lasting
- Replaceable spikes
- Timeless design
- Firm footbed which helps if you use AimPoint
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide width options
Cons:
- Expensive
- Styles rotated frequently
Best Spikeless Golf Shoe
Municipal – SPORTCROSS ATG SHOES
Price: $189
Best For: Players who prefer spikeless shoes and want to stand out with a rugged golf shoe that is good for most weather conditions.
MUNICIPAL is a performance lifestyle brand founded in 2019 with headquarters in Oceanside, CA. They make clothing and footwear with what the brand calls Sport Utility Performance, and their SPORTCROSS ATG golf shoes embody that ethos to a tee. With a rugged design that looks part golf shoe, part hiking shoe, the SPORTCROSS ATG stands out from the pack of other spikeless golf shoes on the market.
Supported by Municipal’s proprietary M.FLOAT Comfort System, they are super comfortable and feature a unique pyramid tread configuration that gives excellent cleat-like traction for a spikeless shoe. Like a hiking shoe, they fit higher up on the ankle compared to a lower profile sneaker, which gives extra stability while walking and swinging. On top of the performance features, the colorways are super unique, from bright blues, oranges and pinks to more subtle grays with bright pops of contrast on the tongue and sole, players can put their full style on display in this shoe. To top it off, they have a Crossdry 360 waterproof membrane which is perfect to stand up against those damp early morning rounds where you’re kicking dew off the grass.
Pros:
- Unique color options
- Stylish rugged design
- Excellent support for golf swing
- Cleat-like traction
- Comes with carry bag and extra set of laces
Cons:
- Traction gets reduced once pyramid tread shape wears down
Best Beginner Golf Shoe
Allbirds – Golf Dasher
Price: $150
Best For: Players who are new to golf and want a golf shoe that doesn’t look like a golf shoe.
For those who are new to golf, wearing the proper footwear is import. Having a golf shoe that is functional during a swing, yet doesn’t scream “I’M A GOLF SHOE,” helps ease new players into the world of golf. The Allbirds Golf Dashers do just that. They look just like their customer-favorite Dasher walking shoe, yet with added support and spikeless tread for golf.
The Golf Dasher is lightweight and breathable, with a wider toe box to make walking 18 holes more comfortable. Featuring Allbird’s Tree Knit upper which fits snug just below the ankle, the Golf Dasher is a stylish golf shoe that is the perfect gateway shoe for players getting started with golf. I enjoyed wearing these for twilight golf rounds in Los Angeles and casual rounds in dry conditions.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Stylish walking-shoe style
- Lightweight
- Machine washable
Cons:
- Spikeless tread provides less grip than soft-spike shoes
- Knit upper not as durable as leather
- Not suitable for all weather conditions
Best Range Golf Shoe
Reef – Onshore Pines
Price: $120
Best For: Players who like a laid-back sneaker style who play mostly in sunny and dry conditions.
Growing up in Encinitas, CA, Reef sandals were always on my feet whenever a golf shoe wasn’t. The So-Cal footwear brand, established in 1984, was originally known for their sandals and flip-flops, but started branching out into sneakers and other closed-toe shoes for a more well-rounded coastal lifestyle lineup. I was stoked to find out Reef made their first proper golf shoe in 2025, so naturally I had to try them.
The Reef Onshore Pines golf shoe features a surf style design with a low rise sneaker profile. They’ve become my go-to practice shoe since they slip on easy and give the laid-back vibe I’m looking for on range days where I can quickly throw them on and get to work. The Onshore Pines are ridiculously comfortable, exactly what you would expect from Reef, and the spikeless design transitions seamlessly from the course to your favorite brewery or taqueria after. And of course, if you’re looking to crack a cold one before you finish your round, it has Reef’s signature bottle opener built right into the sole.
Pros:
- Comfortable fit
- Bottle opener built in
- Laid-back style
Cons:
- Leans more sneaker than golf shoe
- Spikeless tread provides less grip than soft-spike shoes
Best Designer Golf Shoe
Cole Haan – GrandPrø All-Day Golf Shoes
Price: $175
Best For: Players who prefer a design-forward take on a spikeless golf shoe and want the versatility to wear indoors after the round as well.
Cole Haan is known for taking the humble sneaker and turning it into something more sophisticated. Their transformation on the greens is no exception. Featuring a classic two-tone saddle with a wrap around the heel, the Cole Haan GrandPrø All-Day is an elevated take on the classic saddle golf shoe. Out of the box, they are extremely comfortable, with a responsive cushioning footbed that doesn’t need to be broken in. The combination of stability, comfort and style makes the GrandPro a total winner that ranks among the most comfortable golf shoes I’ve ever worn. Featuring waterproof uppers, these shoes can handle some damp morning dew but might not be your first choice for playing in the rain.
Pros:
- Super comfortable
- Elevated look
- Spikeless tread design suitable for off-course wear
Cons:
- Spikeless tread provides less grip than soft-spike shoes
- Cushioned footbed is comfortable but some may find it gets in the way of feeling green slope with your feet, if you use AimPoint
- Only uppers are waterproof
The Golf Player’s Take
I’m a fan of having replaceable spikes on my golf shoes. It adds to the longevity of the shoe by allowing golfers to be able to replace the spikes once they wear down, unlike spikeless shoes where once the tread is worn down, it’s gone. But, I’ve grown to enjoy spikeless shoes for more casual rounds like twilight golf and practice sessions where I want to slip on a shoe quickly and not have to lace up my FootJoy Premieres.
So, here’s my take: have one pair of ride-or-die soft spike shoes that are 100% waterproof, like the FootJoy Premiere Series. Then have a pair of spikeless for less-demanding rounds or practice sessions. Having two pairs of golf shoes in rotation helps the longevity of both by splitting the wear and tear and adds flexibility to ensure you have the right shoes for the right occasion.
Why Trust The Golf Player
At The Golf Player, our team has substantial experience testing and using the latest golf apparel and gear. The author of this roundup, David Derwin, played Division II golf at Chico State, where he served as the assistant coach during his fifth year. Currently, he is a +1.3 handicap and frequently plays world-renowned courses at a high level of play. For this roundup, he personally tested each pair of shoes across multiple rounds on several courses and weather conditions to determine the best golf shoes for every situation.
