I wondered whether you guys thought that the shoes you wear improve your performance, if so, which ones? Or are they just for show?

Thanks for any reply.

Its funny I should come across this topic, as I am in the same perplexing situation.

Here is my story...and why I believe that shoes are (or should be) based on performance rather than aesthetics.

2 week ago I was playing in a local men's open. I know the course and was playing a pretty decent round and I felt like I had a legimate shot at winning (winner ususally -1 or -2). For the last three seasons I've been wearing only Puma spikes and have had nothing but great feedback from the Concordes (traditional spikes). Well, one pair gave up on me after a good run and I decided to pick up a pair of the new Tippers with smart quills. These spikes just looked sharp! On the tenth tee, on a relatively dry day, my back foot cleat lost traction and I nearly injured myself, monster hooking my tee shot into a hazard. Long story short, I doubled the hole. Happened again on the 15th! I just could never get comfortable after the slip. Bottom Line, a shoe's performance is important!

Puma smart quills look sharp, but the technology isn't!

FootJoy here I come!!!!

I used to think "no" until I put on the Adidas Performance line. I feel more stable and less "twisty" when I wear them. I'm also a little lower than the ball, so I have more solid shots. Love my shoes!

They are the very basic need for a golfer bad shoes bad shots bad temper worse golf it really is simple if you have good fitting comfortable shoes and a good tequnique you will play better golf believe me I went after so called pro endorsed tour shoes and they nearly killed my feet I could not play for nearly 10 days you can't beat adidas tour or footjoy classics. shoes are like clubs if you don't feel good you will play badly I have 4 pairs of good quality golf shoes and I alternate a pricy policy maybe but I can play 7 days a week and have no foot complaints there are plenty of excellent quality golf shoes on the market for less than 100 dollars and less if you are not choosy about the colours beware my friend bad shoes bad everything ..................

Wow, great examples of run-on sentences!

Nope - shoes are for show only.

If you have small feet like me, design can make a difference in stability.

IMO, a golf shoe won't directly help you lower your score, but it could well raise your score.

Most important is being comfortable and supported throughout your round. I can absolutely say from experience that a poorly fitted pair of golf shoes can ruin your round.

The various looks are just for personal preference, IMO, but if you are not comfortable you can't be expecting to play your best.

I used to buy inexpensive shoes but my feet hurt and that was all I could think about which means I wasn't thinking about my game, swing or positive thoughts. I finally broke down and bought a pair of FJ's on sale and thought about all the years I wasted on killing my feet. I won't tell you they make me hit my driver farther, but my feet feel better and I'm not worrying about my feet which is important those last 3 or 4 holes, know what I mean

why don't the shoe manufacturers, make a club with a raised lip on the right side of the
shoe to aid in stability?

I have Puma Smart-Quills and never had an issue like the 1st reply.

Not bashing Puma in the least....

They are...
Durable
Stylish
Comfortable

But, based on my experiences the smart quill tech is lacking traction. Essentially, shoes won't improve your game, but they are more than just for show. You need to have confidence in your equipment, whether that be clubs, balls, or spikes.

not directly in my opinion. if im wearing uncomfortable shoes, then i'm uncomfortable, and then my swing gets all over the placed because Im distracted by the discomfort. BUT, If im wearing good shoes and I'm comfortable, then it is a lot easier to make good swings because I'm not focused on my feet hurting.

Well a little while back I thought they did! I have a pair of Adidas powerbands which are really comfy, however, I recently bought a pair of Snake Eyes $39 shoes at golfsmith and so far they are SUPER comfy. I guess you HAVE to try the shoe on. If it feels good then great! Regardless of my $150 shoes vs. my $39 shoes they feel comparable. So I guess it really doesn't matter... Just my $0.02.

I don't want to admit it, but it's true. I have a friend who qualified for 3 USGA's in one summer with the $50 Adidas and a bag full of clubs that was worth no more than $500. It makes me feel like I need to practice my wedges and putting every time I try to justify a club/shoe/other golf purchase.

The manufacturers have to be careful not to infringe the 'building a stance' rule. I remember years ago there was a brand called Swing Rite that were designed to slope inwards (presumably to prevent swaying) that got banned.

Disclaimer: I could have just dreamt this.

I don't think they matter that much unless there's moisture involved. If it's dry outside, I can wear tennis shoes and shoot just as well as when wearing golf shoes.

I heard the same thing.

I agree with you, and sometimes I do play in tennis shoes because they are so very comfortable. Golf is tough enough as it is, why have to deal with 'foot issues' on top of all the other stuff, IMO.

I feel like I swing better in FJ Classics than my tour 360s , but I'm not sure why.

I'm with you on that one!

I've never felt as "well connected" to the ground and as stable as when I was wearing Classics with metal spikes.

Unfortunately being a 10EE means that I couldn't find them in Australia as they didn't bring that size into the country or let you custom order it

Soft spikes are junk, nowhere near the same performance as metal spikes as far as I'm concerned.

Anyone try these black widow soft spike, they claim with the correct spike configuration
you can prevent a sway. True?

http://thesandtrap.com/bag_drop/softspikes...our_golf_cleats

Yes, I put them in my new Adidas Powerband 2s. Traction is great. The only problem I see is their two-piece construction lets grass get in between the two pieces and deforms the black center piece. Usually seems to happen on the spikes closest to the toe for me. Then i have to take them apart and clean the grass out. Not sure its a well thought out design. Maybe its just me.

no! ive played some of my best rounds in sperry top sider originals, ha shot a 69 and a 70 with those.

Gunga,

I am a high capper, with a big sway - and slice. Is this a game changer? Do you know what
shoes might have these in a brand new shoe?

Aslan

Thanks for the reply guy, I might buy a cool looking, but comfortable pair next time, and not go with the dearer they are, the better!

I'm amazed at the crap inserts that even the most expensive shoes have in them...I've resorted to a $30-40 insert for all my shoes to make them more comfortable...if you use what the manufacturers have in the shoe, you are truly playing a shoe that's less comfortable and potentially performs substandard.