subject: Selecting the Right Pair of Shoes for Golf [print this page] Selecting the Right Pair of Shoes for Golf
Nothing is more important than a good pair of shoes for golf. If one stops to consider that they are going to be on their feet for hours on end while playing this sport, the need for a good pair of golf shoes becomes readily apparent. When one considers swing mechanics of the golf swing, again few items are as important as obtaining a good stance and that simple fact starts with the quality of your golf shoes on up. Although there are many, many factors that carry significant weight when trying to improve your golf game, the stability of your stance is certainly one of the key items to address. A good pair of golf shoes will lead to a solid stance; and a solid stance is critical to a good swing at the ball.
Two key areas of concern come to mind when thinking of the importance of a good pair of golf shoes - fit and function.
Fit - shoes for golf should fit like a glove, yet be comfortable. With the average length of a golf course at around 6,800 yards, an 18 hole round will mean, at a minimum, that you are going to take a 4 mile walk. You are going to want a lightweight, waterproof, sturdy yet flexible pair of shoes for this journey. Golf shoes that create fatigue or soreness in your feet will negatively impact your swing mechanics.
In addition, some of the higher end shoes for golf offer an internal bladder that can be pumped up to give you a very tight, yet comfortable fit around your feet. If you are at all serious about your game, then this style of golf shoe is a must buy.
Function - shoes for golf, like any other sport, are custom designed for specific purposes. Whereas track shoes are designed for speed, golf shoes are designed to promote stability in your stance and to minimize slippage of your feet during the golf swing. A number of grippers, or "spikes," are positioned around the soles and on the heels of golf shoes to grab hold of the turf underneath your feet. It is very important that the golfer, once purchasing a quality pair of golf shoes, maintain these replaceable spikes when they become warn. Most golf pro shops, sporting goods stores, and on-line retailers offer replacement spikes and installation tools for purchase.
One last area of concern about shoes for golf that must be mentioned, but is much more incidental, is fashion. Yes, there is a certain style that tends to go along with the game of golf and there are some social desires to "look well" to "play well." Golf shoes come in a wide variety of styles today from classic to athletic. You are going to want to pick up a pair of shoes for golf that matches the preferred clothing styles that you elect to wear while playing the game.
Golf is a game that is played from the ground up, so never underestimate the importance that a quality pair of shoes for golf can have on creating a good foundation for your game.
