How to Know When You're Ready for Golf Shoes (And Which Pair Is Actually Right for You)

A few weeks ago I finally retired my very first pair of golf shoes.

Not because they were worn out. They still had plenty of tread and life left in them. I got them in early 2023 when I was still figuring out this whole golf thing, and they served their purpose: they gave me more stability on the course than my regular sneakers ever did, and honestly, that alone was a win at the time.

But here's why I let them go: they weren't waterproof.

And the longer I play golf, the more I understand that waterproof isn't a nice-to-have. It's the whole thing.

What I Got Wrong About Golf Shoes (And When You Actually Need Them)

For a long time, my advice to women asking about golf shoes was: you don't really need them until you're playing regularly. Wait until you're committed. Wait until you've got a league. Wait until you know golf is going to stick.

I've changed my tune on that completely.

Here's what I didn't fully appreciate until I'd been playing for a while: the golf course is almost never fully dry. Even on days when it hasn't rained, the grass holds moisture. Morning dew. Irrigation. A course that got soaked two days ago and is still saturated underneath. You step onto a slope or lean into a shot and your feet need to be anchored to the ground.

When they're not … when you're in regular sneakers or non-waterproof shoes and the ground is soft beneath you … you slip. Maybe just a little. Maybe just a slight shift in your stance. But in golf, every quiver in your body matters. Your foundation is everything. When you trust that your feet are planted and stable, it frees up everything else in your swing. When you don't, your whole body is compensating in ways you don't even realize.

That's the case for golf shoes. Get them sooner than you think you need them.

What to Look For

Let's keep this simple. Here's what actually matters when you're shopping:

Waterproof. Non-negotiable. I cannot say this strongly enough after retiring my first pair for exactly this reason. Look for shoes that are specifically labeled waterproof — not water-resistant, not water-repellent. Waterproof. There is nothing worse than your feet soaking wet inside your shoes, squelching with every step. Also it’s just so gross after a round when you’re peeling wet socks off your pruny wrinkled feet.

Stability and traction. This is what separates a golf shoe from a regular sneaker. The sole is designed to grip the turf and keep you grounded through your swing. Spikeless soles are the most popular for women right now … they look like regular athletic shoes, they're comfortable to walk in, and they can transition from the course to the clubhouse without clunking around in cleats.

Comfort for the full round. You are on your feet for several hours. This is not the place to compromise on comfort. If it doesn't feel great in the first five minutes, it will not feel better on hole fourteen.

Style. Yes, this counts. You'll wear these every single time you play. Find a pair you actually like looking at.

These styles are classic and comfortable:

For a traditional look, go for the Gflore Gallivantar.

For a sneaker style, go for the New Balance golf shoe.

For the utmost comfort on the course, go for the ECCO casual look golf shoe.

My Current Favorites

I will tell you exactly what's in my trunk right now.

My absolute favorite pair at the moment is the G/FORE MG4. I have them in navy and in light turquoise — because when you find a shoe you love, you get it in two colors, that's just the rule. What sets these apart for me is the insole. It has this bumpy, massaging texture that makes them genuinely feel good from the moment you slip them on. I notice it every single time. After a long round my feet feel better in the G/FORE than they do in almost any other shoe I own.

My other go-to is my Sketchers Women’s Drive relaxed fit golf shoe — white with white laces. They are so clean looking and so comfortable. Different vibe from the G/FORE, a little more classic, but they are reliable and I love how they look with basically every golf outfit.

If you're just getting started and want something more budget-friendly before committing to a higher-end pair, Skechers is a genuinely great entry point. You don't have to spend a lot to get a good waterproof, stable golf shoe.

Don't Forget the Socks

Small detail, big difference: the socks you wear inside your golf shoes matter.

I prefer a crew-length sock that comes up high enough in the back to cover my Achilles. A low-cut sock that slips down even a little can rub and chafe right at the back of your heel, and after a few holes that becomes very unpleasant very fast. Save yourself the blister. Wear the sock that stays put.

My go to: Features Elite Max Cushion no-show socks for women.

The Post-Round Swap

This is my favorite part of every league night, and I've mentioned it before but it belongs in this post too.

I keep my golf shoes and my Birkenstock sandals both in my trunk. When the round ends, I stop at my car, take off my golf shoes, clap them together to knock out the grass clippings and any mud, and slide into my sandals. My feet get to breathe on the walk back to return the cart to the cart barn. And then I head to the patio — because after a league round there is usually a drink and a sandwich waiting, and other women swapping stories about their round, and that is honestly one of my favorite parts of the whole evening.

The shoe swap is a small ritual. But it signals something to your brain. Round over. You can relax now.

Golf shoes go back in the trunk. Sandals go on. And just like that, it's a good night.

The Short Version

Get golf shoes sooner than you think you need them. Make sure they're waterproof — not water-resistant, waterproof. Prioritize comfort because you'll be in them for hours. And find a pair that makes you feel good when you look down, because that matters too.

Your foundation affects everything. Invest in it.