2017 SPIKELESS GOLF SHOE BUYER’S GUIDE

Golf shoes are changing, and they’re changing fast. In 2017 golfers demand a shoe not only look good but also provide comfort, right out of the box. It must also provide stability in the right places and be able to handle the harsh conditions encountered on the course throughout the entire season.

The aim of this spikeless golf shoe buyer’s guide is to ensure you get the functionality of a spiked shoe with the comfort of your favorite sneaker.

The process of buying anything in today’s time has become stressful and time-consuming. We want to help solve that problem for you. The MyGolfSpy mission is simple: create the world’s most objective and comprehensive testing in the industry. We feel the best reviews are those that help you make the right choices and help you get the most out of your time and money.

This way you can buy with confidence and eliminate a lot of the guesswork. We are here to help show you how a product will perform before you buy.

One key to our testing protocols is testing products head-to-head. We select the top products from each category and put the products through detailed head-to-head testing. We test both in the lab and in the field. We score each product across a range of weighted categories. We then rank the products and explain why, and give awards to the best performing products in the category.

This year we approached spikeless shoe testing with more critical scoring and improved protocols. This was based on an intensive look at the market and feedback from consumers just like you. Several key findings from that research influenced the shoe testing process for 2017.

Our findings are based on many factors. This includes the stability provided by the shoe throughout the round. The comfort of the shoe a golfer gets straight from the box and during the swing. The ability of the shoe to resist golf course conditions without breaking down. The style of the shoe as deemed by the majority of consumers. And the overall fit of the shoe all the way from the heel to the toes.

 

THE METRICS

We’re always fine-tuning the process to make sure we’re collecting the best data possible. Continuing that trend we’ve updated and refined this year’s analysis to bring you the best buying advice possible.

We put in hours of testing utilizing data-driven protocols to test new metrics. The numbers are better than ever.

Over the course of the test, testers hit balls wearing each pair of shoes. For each pair of shoes, testers hit eight shots, and gave scores during and after the test. There were opportunities for breaks in the test both in attempt to limit sweat and tester fatigue. We also closely examined parts of the shoes without our testers present. We checked the insoles, midsoles, and outsoles for anything that could limit functionality or comfort.

Stability (20 points) – How much support does the shoe provide throughout the golf swing? Does the ankle feel stable? Does the ankle move and by how much and in which direction? We also test how far the ball of the foot and toes slide forward and laterally. We find that poor performing shoes allow the ankles and or balls of the foot and toes to roll and or slide instead of forcing them to turn. Shoes that performed well had effectively designed heel ‘cups’ helping lock the ankle into place. In these shoes balance feels improved because of the more stable lower body. We also notice shoes with either horizontal patterns and or slicker material on the insole allow the ball of the foot and toes to slide more during the swing.

It should be noted; a spikeless golf shoe should not trade stability for comfort.

Comfort (40 points) – Straight from the box do you feel like you can play 9? 18? 36? While many shoes were comfortable while standing or sitting they became uncomfortable when walking long distances. We noticed that some shoes had uncomfortable contouring of their insoles while others had unpliable outsoles. The most comfortable shoes felt light on the feet, yet provided the stability needed during the round.

Elements (15 points) – On the golf course, one faces a variety of different conditions. Therefore one of the main jobs a golf shoe faces is how it handles those conditions. From dew to mud to rain a golf shoe must be able to keep your feet safe from the elements. The best shoes in this category had well-designed midsoles, uppers, and outsoles that seal the shoe from the elements.

Style (10 points) – Score is established by considering what we believe the majority of consumers deem stylish, not whether the individual tester likes the look of the shoe. Survey questions provided to testers were developed to combat any brand-driven favoritism on the part of the individual respondent.

Fit (15 points) – We examined the length, width, ankle entry, toe box, midsection, and heel ‘bowl’ to ensure that each shoe provided a snug and comfortable fit. Shoes that finished poorly in this category caused discomfort that stemmed from the fit itself. On the other hand, shoes that performed well fit like a glove.

Final grades were awarded based on total scores. Best Overall is our highest overall scoring spikeless golf shoe, and awards are given to the top five shoes. Also, more specific Best in Class recognitions is awarded to shoes in certain categories (like fit, comfort, and stability) that push the industry ‘envelope.’

We also give an “Editor’s Choice” and a “Best Buy” award to those companies that provide value products that seriously compete with the bigger names.

THE BEST SPIKELESS SHOES OF 2017

2017 SPIKELESS SHOE BUYERS GUIDE

Name	Price	Stability	Comfort	Elements	Style	Fit	Score
SKETCHERS GO GOLF DRIVE 2	$85.00	2nd	1st	3rd	6th	2nd	93
FOOTJOY PRO SL	$149.99	1st	2nd	4th	8th	3rd	90.5
ADIDAS CROSSKNIT BOOST	$160.00	3rd	3rd	15th	4th	1st	86.63
NIKE FI IMPACT 2	$134.97	7th	4th	7th	2nd	4th	85.13
GFORE GALIVANTER IV.O	$185.00	6th	6th	9th	1st	7th	84.75
ECCO CAGE PRO	$210.00	5th	5th	8th	10th	5th	83.63
TRUELINKSWEAR ELEMENTS HYBRID	$99.99	8th	7th	4th	8th	6th	82.25
GFORE LONGWING GALIVANTER	$225.00	9th	8th	4th	3rd	7th	81.13
BIION	$99.99	12th	10th	1st	5th	7th	79.5
GFORE CRUSUADER	$250.00	4th	9th	9th	14th	11th	78.25
ROYAL ALBARTROSS CREW	$285.63	9th	11th	13th	12th	7th	76.5
ROYAL ALBARTROSS BROGUE	$285.63	9th	13th	12th	10th	11th	75.13
TRUELINKSWEAR TRUEMOTION	$79.99	13th	11th	9th	14th	15th	72.5
NIKE ZOOM 90 IT	$175.00	14th	15th	2nd	13th	13th	69
PUMA IGNITE SPIKELESS SPORT DISC	$120.00	15th	14th	14th	7th	13th	66