It’s that time of year again when golfers around the globe are blowing off the dust that has formed over the winter months from their golf shoes and taking to the greens. With this in mind, now is a great time to look for a new pair of golf shoes.
Golf shoes are a must have piece of kit for any golfer and as essential to the game as clubs and balls, in fact most golf courses wont let you set foot on the fairways without them. Consider this; during a round of golf you could be walking 4 to 5 miles 4 hours on your feet. Can you really afford not to have a good pair of shoes? I know I have had more unpleasant golfing related blisters due to poor fitting shoes than I care to remember. To help golfers everywhere avoid the trap of poor fitting shoes I have put together a few things to remember when choosing your next pair of golf shoes.
The Perfect Fit
Before selecting a size, measure both feet. If you get different measurements, then choose the size that fits the larger foot.
When you try new golf shoes, wear the kind of socks that you intend to wear with your shoes. This one might sound obvious but I have been caught out by this once.
Test your shoes by standing on one foot at a time. Wiggle your toes and stand on your tiptoes.
Shoes should bend at the same place where your foot naturally bends.
Golf shoes should fit tighter in the middle portion of the foot than other shoes. This area offers the most support while swinging. The middle portion of the shoe will stretch over time.
Be sure that you have one-half inch of space from the end of your big toe to the tip of the shoe.
Keeping your feet warm and dry
Depending on the conditions you play in, you may want to consider a waterproof shoe. Waterproof shoes are more expensive, but they are much more comfortable in wet conditions. Look for a good warranty; some manufacturers offer a 2 year warranty. Leather uppers are the best for providing support and waterproofing. Shoes made of synthetic
leather are less expensive but do not breathe as well nor do they offer as much waterproof protection.
Style
Last, but not least, choose the style of shoe you feel most comfortable wearing. Golf shoes come in more options today than ever before and include traditional saddle, trendy styles, athletic styling and even golf sandals for those that take the laid back approach to the game.
Darren
