Best Golf Shoes for Links and Wet Parkland: What to Check

Your shoes are the only part of you that touches the ground, and since in Britain the ground is often wet. Links turf is firm in places and soft in others, and parkland can turn to mud. This guide covers what to check in a golf shoe: waterproofing, grip, spikes or spikeless, fit and the footwear rules at the clubs you visit.

We have not tested any shoes, and we do not rank products or quote prices. Specifications and prices change, so check the maker’s own description for any shoe you are considering. This page contains Amazon affiliate links, which are marked as sponsored. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Waterproofing

Read the maker’s wording carefully, because water-resistant and waterproof are not the same. Water-resistant and waterproof are not the same, and many makers describe their protection in their own terms. Look for:

• A statement about the upper material and the seams.
• Information about the tongue and ankle area, where water often gets in.
• Any warranty or time limit on the waterproofing.

You can browse waterproof golf shoes on Amazon to compare styles. Our winter golf kit guide covers the rest of a wet-weather outfit.

Grip: spikes or spikeless

Soft spikes and spikeless soles are the two main styles. Soft spikes bite into turf, which helps on slopes and wet grass, while spikeless soles suit flat ground. Spikeless soles use patterns or small lugs, and many golfers like them for comfort and for wearing to and from the course. Grip varies between models, so check the maker’s description of the sole.

Think about the ground, because conditions drive grip needs. A steep, wet, hilly course asks more of your grip than a flat one. Links courses can be firm underfoot, though wind and rain change that. Our guides to links golf and coastal golf describe the conditions you may meet.

Fit and comfort

A round of golf is often five miles or more on foot, so comfort matters, although fit is personal. Try shoes on in the afternoon, when feet are slightly larger, and wear the socks you play in. Check the following:

1. Is there room for your toes without slipping at the heel?
2. Is the shoe stable when you swing?
3. Does it feel comfortable after a short walk?
4. Is the width right for your foot?

Return policies matter, because fit is hard to judge online, so read them before you buy online.

Weight and flexibility

Lighter shoes feel easier on a long walk, while a firmer shoe may feel more stable in the swing. There is no single answer. Compare the stated weight on the maker’s page and judge the feel yourself.

Spikes and club rules

Rules about footwear vary, so check ahead. Many clubs have banned metal spikes, and some have dress codes that include footwear. Check the club website before you visit. Our guide to golf courses open to visitors explains what visitors usually need to know, and our golf breaks guide helps if you are travelling.

Care and drying

Wet shoes need drying, since damp shoes wear out faster. Remove insoles, stuff the shoes with paper and let them dry away from direct heat. Clean the soles before you drive home. Waterproofing can wear off, so follow the maker’s care guidance. You can browse shoe care products to see what is available.

Socks and layers

Although waterproof shoes help, dry socks make a difference too. Pack a spare pair. Our guide to women’s golf covers kit choices for players building a first set.

Where to play in wet conditions

Different courses need different shoes, because the ground varies. Our guides to Pembrokeshire and Cornwall cover coastal courses, and heathland golf covers sandy courses inland. For beginners, our guide to golf courses for beginners lists welcoming places to start. You can browse clubs on our course finder, or look at courses in Wales.

A quick checklist

• Read the maker’s waterproofing wording.
• Choose soft spikes or spikeless to suit your courses.
• Try shoes in the afternoon with your golf socks.
• Check club footwear rules.
• Dry shoes properly after wet rounds.

Common mistakes to avoid

Buying a size too small. Feet swell on a long walk, so leave room. Leave room, and try shoes with your usual socks.

Wearing them to death. Soles and waterproofing wear out, therefore check them now and then. Check the grip and the uppers now and then, and replace shoes that no longer hold.

Trusting the box. Waterproof wording differs between makers, so compare carefully. Read the actual claim, and look for details about how long it lasts.

Forgetting the clubhouse. Some clubs ask for footwear to be changed in the car park or locker room. Check the rules before you visit.

Looking after your feet

Good shoes help, but so do good habits, because damp feet cause problems. Wear dry socks, change out of wet shoes as soon as the round ends and let them dry slowly. If you play often, consider a second pair so each has time to dry. That simple routine protects both your feet and your investment.

Buying online or in a shop

Both routes work, although each has trade-offs. A shop lets you try the fit and walk about in the shoes, which is hard to beat. Buying online gives more choice, so check the returns policy and keep the box until you are sure. Whichever you choose, wear the shoes around the house first, on a clean floor, before you take them on a course. A shoe that rubs on a short walk will rub for eighteen holes.

Try your kit on a course near you

Once your kit is sorted, find somewhere to use it. Our directory lists golf courses near Cardiff, golf courses near Swansea and golf courses near Wrexham, and you can browse every course we list in Wales by county.

Where to compare

These links go to Amazon search results:

• Waterproof golf shoes
• Spikeless golf shoes
• Golf shoe care

Our terms page explains how affiliate links work on this site. They never change which courses we list or how we describe them.