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Whatever form of golf you plan to play, a pair of shoes is an essential part of the game, whether you’re playing at a driving range or on a golf course for the first time.
No one can argue that golf shoes are the most obvious and standard choice when it comes to what to wear when playing golf. However, if you are just trying out the sport for the first time, you probably won’t want to spend money on those expensive shoes when still undecided whether you’ll enjoy the game or not.
Fortunately, if you’re looking for the best substitute for golf shoes, chances are you already own a pair of them that can get you started right away.
So, what to wear if you don’t have golf shoes?
Check Out The Best Substitutes For Golf Shoes
Below we have listed six options for you to take into consideration. Let’s find out which option gives you the best support, comfort, and grip without damaging the greens.
Studs Cricket Shoes
The mention of cricket shoes in this list may cause many eyebrows to furrow as many golfers find their design infamous due to the metal spikes they commonly have.
However, that’s not always the case; some cricket shoes come equipped with studs that provide adequate grip on golf courses without damaging the grass. And they can efficiently serve as the best non golf shoes for golf.
In contrast to spikes, studs cricket shoes have rubber studs added to the outsole. The shoes are also versatile, allowing you to go straight from your car to the golf course to the clubhouse without changing.
Essentially, you’d be glad to know the fact that they also make these shoes for proper cricket swings as well as protecting the pitch, in a pretty similar way golf shoes do for golf swings and golf courses, respectively.
These days, the newer versions of these spikeless shoes are even going beyond the originals, providing better grip, comfort, traction, support, and flexibility. They also offer extra stability on wet greens and downhill slopes. You can therefore wear them on the golf course with no trouble at all.
Trail Running Shoes
Trail runners also make great golf shoe alternatives because they combine the support and comfort of traditional running shoes with soles more appropriate for the course.
You will notice how much better your balance will be when you wear a trail running shoe with a good grip. Intricate patterns on the soles provide maximum stability and keep you steady, even on damp courses. In terms of cushioning and support, trail running shoes are your best regular shoes for golf.
These shoes are gentle enough not to be evidently damaging to the course, too. Besides keeping your feet happy, they’re also a good choice for keeping the greenskeeper in good spirits.
Turf Ground Soccer Shoes
You may be skeptical that a golfer would ever turn to soccer for any reason. But when you’re looking for alternative shoes for golf, soccer shoes, or, more specifically, turf-soccer cleats can indeed be a great option.
A turf soccer boot has more studs than a traditional firm ground shoe. While the added studs eliminate pressures on the individual studs, the rubber soleplate (unlike typical TPU cleats) maintains your balance on the sands and smooth greens without harming them.
The short stubble rubber cleats could even easily pass you on wet outfields. These shoes with rubber sole plates are particularly more comfortable for older players because they are less strenuous on joints.
However, these shoes mostly come without an ankle cover, which might cause a bit of a problem if you’re yet to become steady on your stance and foot control.
Golf Sandals
Despite sandals being seen as an undesirable option for golf on the course in the past, these days, you can buy sports sandals intended for use on a golf course.
Golfers playing in hot climates or the summer months may find these open-toed shoes to be an excellent choice.
You may also consider these for temporary use when your feet are healing from an illness or condition, and they need some extra room. These sandals are available in a range of soft spiked and spikeless options.
Choosing soft spiked shoes means you can only wear them on the course. In contrast, if you opt for a spikeless option, it will be perfect for wearing away from the course and afterward in the clubhouse or anywhere you go.
Tennis Shoes
Tennis shoes may not be anywhere near as great as the rest of the options we’ve covered so far, but they can still be a decent temporary solution, given the course you’re playing in is considerably dry and rigid.
These shoes usually have a flat baseline, with no studs or spikes at all. Instead, they come with complex, labyrinthine patterns, which may be sufficient for a good stance and casual movements.
In tennis shoes, the soles have more stretch, which means that walking several miles is less taxing and damaging on the joints, making them a good option as regular golf shoes for women and seniors.
Nonetheless, we recommend you try other alternatives before trying tennis shoes as they don’t allow for the best movements needed for longer shots.
Going Barefoot
Even though barefoot golfing isn’t a widespread practice, you can occasionally see some people playing and enjoying themselves this way. Pro golfer Rocco Mediate is a notable example of a player who often kicks his shoes off on the course.
The benefits of golf, in this way, are numerous. The first advantage is that you can walk naturally throughout the day, without anything restricting your natural movement. Your joints can benefit from this significantly since shoes can often cause fatigue if they interfere with your natural mobility.
As far as your golf stance is concerned, it does not differ either. You can get into a perfectly natural position in the absence of shoes, ensuring an uninterrupted alignment. In addition, your feet will also give you a better sense of the course’s conditions, allowing you to gauge the hardness of the ground, the state of sand, or anything else you walk on.
However, this style could be allowed in certain clubs, but it won’t necessarily be permitted in all. At your local club, it might not be an issue, but you may be barred from getting on the course if you proceed in this manner. If such an option is not available, you should have a backup plan in mind as an alternative, just in case.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What can I use if I don’t have golf shoes?
As you can see from our above discussion, you have at least six potential options for golf shoes. If you haven’t made a decision yet, go over them again and consider your current situation.
Can I use running shoes for golf?
Yes, you can. Casual runners and sneakers with patterned treads and good grips can be great alternatives to golf shoes as they provide superior comfort with more control. However, it’s best not to try to play golf in fashion sneakers.
Do I really need golf shoes?
Technically, no. Although golf shoes are essential for your swings and movements, they aren’t mandatory when you’re out for a few rounds.
The majority of golf courses do not typically have a strict policy regarding golf shoes. You can even play wearing flip-flops or go barefoot if you wish. But since golf shoes are designed to give you the very best experience on the course, it’s always the wisest choice to wear them instead of anything else.
Can you use baseball turf shoes for golf?
No. Neither metal nor molded baseball cleats are suitable to wear on the golf course. This type of cleats is harmful to the greens and not appropriate for driving range mats made of astroturf.
Can you wear any shoes to golf?
You can. Very few clubs require golfers to maintain a strict dress code, including wearing golf shoes. But just like we said, you can wear whatever you want on the rest. However, we still don’t recommend it.
On a Final Note…
When you are just getting into golf or wish to try it out, there’s no need to purchase expensive golf shoes right away. It’s likely that you already have a pair of these alternative options, as we have seen in our discussion.
So long as your footwear does not harm the greens and suits your needs, you are free to choose whatever you wish. Just confirm the course you’re headed to allows you to wear these shoes; you can check their website or give them a call.
But remember, while studs cricket shoes and the other options make great substitutes, you should think of nothing but a pair of quality golf shoes if you’re taking the game seriously.
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Daisy is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Golfs Hub. She is associated with Golf for more than 20 years. She got the inspiration from her father. She is a very private person & doesn't like to be photographed. She's worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking. Now she is enjoying her retirement from day job... but not from Golf! Daisy lives in southeasternmost part of New York state with her family.
