Best Cheap Golf Shoes — (The Golf Instructor’s Buying Guide)

best cheap golf shoes by tell me more golf reviews from our expert instructors

As the leader of the Golf Instructor team here at Tell Me More Golf, I write this buying guide to help you make a more informed buying decision; getting you the best cheap golf shoes on our review list!

Our expert review guidelines are used by Tell Me More Golf’s review team in order to complete this research:

  • Comfort
  • Traction
  • Durability
best cheap golf shoes by tell me more golf reviews from our expert instructors

#1. FootJoy FJ – Best Golf Shoes for the Money


Best Quality
FootJoy Men's Fj Originals Golf Shoes, White/Brown, 13

The Footjoy FJ Original has a classic golf shoe design that harkens back to the days of Hogan and Snead.

We’ve reviewed them in terms of comfort and performance.

The Benefits:

The Footjoy FJ Original is a comfortable all-around golf shoe. They are waterproof and perfect for dew-sweepers and other golfers who play in wet conditions. In addition, the soft spikes provide excellent traction on all surfaces.

In addition, the FJ Original has an EVA cushioning footbed that gives your feet plenty of support and comfort.

They don’t breathe well, so it might take time for them to dry out after you play a round if your feet sweat a lot.

Pros

  • 100% Waterproof Protection
  • Soft Spikes Provide Great Traction
  • EVA Cushioning Fit-Beds Provide Excellent Comfort

Cons

  • Aren’t Very Breathable

#2. Adidas Men’s Tech Response – Best Golf Shoes Under $50


Most Popular
adidas Men's Tech Response Golf Shoes

When you see those three stripes, you know you’re looking at a pair of adidas shoes, as you know the brand is large and has plenty of money in research and development for shoes; no matter what sport. We reviewed these shoes in terms of their advertised benefits and traction:

The Benefits:

The adidas Tech Response golf shoe mesh design is lightweight and breathable, so it’s the perfect shoe for playing in hot, dry weather. 

It has a low-profile thintech sole that provides excellent feel and comfort. In addition, the six-spike outsole ensures you’ll have all the traction you need on any surface.

The breathable mesh upper is great for playing in dry conditions but not so great when playing in wet conditions.

Pros

  • Mesh Uppers Make Them Extremely Lightweight
  • Thintech Sole Gives a Great Feel
  • 6 Soft-Spike Design for Superior Traction

Cons

  • Mesh Uppers Provide Little Protection From Water

#3. Puma Golf Grip Fusion – Best Budget Crossover Golf Shoes


Best Budget
PUMA GOLF Men's Grip Fusion Sport 2.0 Golf Shoe

Golfers who like spikeless golf shoes with the look of athletic trainers should try out these Puma Grip Fusion 2.0 golf shoes. We review these Pumas for their traction and comfort.

The Benefits:

The mesh uppers make the Puma Grip Fusion 2.0 lightweight and breathable to keep your feet dry for a sunny afternoon round of golf. 

The spikeless soles give you great feel and traction around the golf course and are great for everyday use. Additionally, the new fusion foam midsole provides excellent support and comfort right out of the box

Our testers loved playing a round of golf with these shoes in dry conditions. But unfortunately, mesh-uppers provide very little in the way of water protection.

Pros

  • Stylish Mesh Uppers Are Lightweight and Breathable
  • Spikeless Soles Provide Great Feel and Traction
  • Fusion Foam Midsole Makes Them Comfortable On and Off of the Course

Cons

  • Mesh Uppers are Great for Dry Days, Not So Much for Wet Ones

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#4. Nike Roshe Tour G – Best Budget Women’s Golf Shoe


Nike New Womens Golf Shoe Roshe Tour G

Its synthetic leather uppers and microfiber waterproofing keep your feet dry in the wettest conditions. In addition, these Nike golf shoes have a Lunarlon midsole which makes them highly supportive and comfortable. 

The Benefits:

Their 7-spike sole gives the Roshe Tour G excellent bite and traction on any surface.

Our testers love these shoes but found the lack of breathability a little stifling on their feet on hot, dry days.

Pros

  • Microfiber Waterproofing and Synthetic Leather Uppers Give Waterproof Protection
  • Lunarlon Midsole For Amazing Comfort and Stability
  • Come In Many Different Color Options

Cons

  • Not The Most Breathable Golf Shoe On The Market

#5. Callaway Men’s Balboa TRX


Callaway Men's Balboa TRX Golf Shoe

When most people think about golf shoes, Callaway isn’t a brand that comes to mind. However, the Callaway Balboa TRX might change that with this review of its combination of understated style and traction.

The Benefits:

The stylish microfiber leather uppers are so good it comes with a one-year waterproof warranty. 

Its 7-spike Balboa TRX system has outstanding bite and traction while providing a good feel on different surfaces. In addition, it has an Opti-Soft EVA midsole for plenty of support and comfort for your feet during a round.

The Opti-Soft EVA midsole felt firm to some of our testers and not as comfortable as some of the other shoes they tested. That being said, we think that these are still overall comfortable shoes that we recommend highly!

Pros

  • One-Year Waterproof Guarantee
  • Balboa TRX System Has Great Bite and Traction
  • Opti-Soft EVA Midsole Provides Firm Support and Comfort

Cons

  • The Midsole Was a Little Too Firm for Some of Our Testers

Other Notable Budget Golf Shoes


The Tell Me More Golf testers tested a lot of really good golf shoes. Here are some we liked but didn’t make the best budget shoes list.

Notable Budget Golf Shoes

How to Choose the Right Cheap Golf Shoes – Buying Guide


Even if you ride in a cart, you’re still going to walk around on a golf course. So we’ll look at some of the options you’ll have when purchasing and how to find the right ones to fit your style and game.

Find the Perfect Fit

People have differently shaped feet, and not every golf shoe will be a perfect fit for every golfer, but you want to look for the most comfortable fit.

Here are some tips when trying on golf shoes:

  • Try on similar sizes of the same shoe to see which one fits best.
  • Walk around in the shoes to see how comfortable they feel.
  • Practice your golf swing to see how they respond.
  • Look for a snug-fitting midfoot and heel.
  • Where the shoe bends should align with the natural flex of your foot.
  • Don’t Be Afraid to Use Insoles To Improve Comfort.

You can also check online to see how “true” a size of a brand of shoe is to a standard size. For example, specific brands of shoes tend to run a half-size or so smaller or larger than stock shoe sizes.

Style

Golfers have plenty of styles to choose from when purchasing a pair of golf shoes. First, we will look at the four main styles of golf shoes available.

Traditional Golf Shoes

Traditional golf shoes look, well, traditional, like dress shoes. They are often made of natural leather and are durable and waterproof. They are usually modeled after a classic look like wingtips or saddle shoes. 

You might have to spend a little extra time taking care of them, treating and cleaning the leather, or replacing the spikes. 

You typically can’t wear them off the golf course, but a good pair can last you for a couple of seasons if you take good care of them.

Modern Spiked Golf Shoes

Modern spiked dress shoes look more like athletic shoes than traditional golf shoes. Modern spiked golf shoes are typically made of lightweight, synthetic materials designed for performance

Modern spiked golf shoes usually come with replaceable soft spikes for when they wear down over time. However, depending on the material of the uppers, they may or may not be waterproof. 

These are the golf shoes typical on the PGA Tour with players who like a more contemporary, modern style of golf shoe.

Modern Spikeless

The best spikeless golf shoes, sometimes called crossovers, have a low profile and look more like casual streetwear than other golf shoes. 

They are typically really comfortable and can give a golfer a lot of feeling through his feet that can be helpful when reading greens. However, you’re not going to get the same level of traction that you get with spiked golf shoes. So be careful in hilly and wet conditions. 

The cleats will wear down over time, so if you play a lot, they might not last as long as shoes with replaceable spikes. However, you can wear them on and off the golf course and look cool.

Golf Sandals

Golf sandals look like athletic or hiking sandals and can have cleats or spikes in the soles. Unfortunately, they are open on top, offering little protection from the sun, water, sand, etc.

However, they are comfortable, and you can wear them on and off the golf course.

Spikes or Cleats

As golf shoe technology has improved, spikes aren’t the only option any longer, and spikeless shoes have grown in popularity.

Let’s look at the benefits of both styles:

Spikes
  • Can Typically Be Replaced
  • Provide Traction on Wet Ground and Hills
  • Better Foot Support
  • Better Lateral Stability
Spikeless (Cleats)
  • Can Be Worn Off of the Course
  • Have a Lower Profile
  • More Comfortable
  • Offer Better Feel Through the Feet

Materials

Golf shoes come in three types of materials: natural leathers, synthetic leathers, and breathable fabrics.

Natural Leathers

  • Naturally Waterproof
  • Extremely Durable
  • More Expensive
  • Mold to the Foot Well

Synthetic Leathers

  • Lighter & Thinner Than Natural Leather
  • Water Resistant Not Waterproof
  • Easier to Clean and Maintain
  • Cost Less Than Natural Leathers

Breathable Fabrics (Performance Mesh)

  • Very Lightweight and Flexible
  • Great For Warm, Dry Conditions
  • Easy to Clean
  • Least Expensive of the Three Options

It’s a good idea to consider the conditions you will be playing in when picking the suitable material for your golf shoes.

Leather shoes are the best waterproof golf shoe option if you play in wet conditions.

For playing in versatile conditions, look for synthetic leather options.

In warm, dry conditions, breathable fabrics, like performance meshes, keep your feet cool.

Tell Me More Golf – Frequently Asked Questions


What is Proper Footwear for Golf?

There is no proper footwear for golf, except that you shouldn’t wear shoes that could damage the golf course, like boots.

If you’re comfortable, you can wear running shoes or cross trainers when you play golf.

The best spiked and spikeless golf shoes will be comfortable, give your feet plenty of support, and provide you with traction to walk safely around the course during a round.

Golf shoes come in various colors and designs, so they are a great way to showcase your style when you play.

Do Golf Shoes Make a Difference?

Yes, golf shoes make a difference when you’re playing a round of golf. They provide stability and traction during the golf swing, which prevents your feet from slipping. Slipping can cause poor shots and bad injuries to the lower body and back.

How Many Pairs of Golf Shoes Do You Need?

How many pairs of golf shoes you need depends on where and how much you play the game. For example, if you play in warm, dry weather once a week, you can easily get by with only one pair of golf shoes.

However, if you play more than once a week or in different types of weather, having one pair of shoes for dry days and one for wet days is not uncommon.

Every one of our testers has at least three pairs of golf shoes that they rotate. They wear different pairs to account for the weather, what else they are wearing, comfort, and even to let other shoes dry out after rounds. 

For example, one of our testers loves wearing spikeless golf shoes because he’s too lazy to change out of them after a round.

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Golf shoes are an essential piece of golf gear that a golfer shouldn’t overlook. No other golf equipment takes the wear and tear from round to round that golf shoes do.

There are a lot of so-called cheap golf shoes that golfers can choose from to complement their game in any weather conditions.

Style is important, but the fit is critical when selecting the right golf shoe. You won’t want to play in a stylish shoe that hurts your feet and gives you blisters.

You’ll also want to find golf shoes that mesh well with the type of weather the day you play. It’s not fun having wet feet after dew-sweeping for a few holes in the morning.

Do your research and find the golf shoes that you like and that like your feet. Once most golfers find a brand and a model they want, they stick with them for a reason.

Patrick Corley Tell Me More Golf Instructor and Coach
Patrick Corley
From a golf scholarship to a Southern California University, to a private golf coaching career and an instructor position at a nonprofit organization, I’m here to help you get better at golf! With my 50+ years of golf experience; I bring you Tell Me More Golf. A golf coaching website that helps your game with instructional golfing content that’s ultimately geared toward making you a better golfer and having more fun!
Our golf instructor team brings it all to you, so enjoy!

6 thoughts on “Best Cheap Golf Shoes — (The Golf Instructor’s Buying Guide)”

  1. I was pleasantly surprised to see Puma mentioned in this article on Best Cheap Golf Shoes. The expert golf instructors’ research and comparisons of affordable golf shoes are impressive, providing valuable insights to find the perfect pair without compromising on quality or performance.

    1. Patrick Corley

      Hi Maki, Pumas are my daily drivers other than my Nikes.
      Glad you enjoyed our research to get you the best cheap golf shoes!

  2. I just had to express my love for your article on the best cheap golf shoes! Your expert insights and detailed comparisons provided invaluable information to help me make an informed decision. It’s a game-changer for golfers like me looking to improve without breaking the bank. Keep up the inspiring work, team!

    1. Patrick Corley

      I’m thrilled to have found this resource as it ensures we can step onto the greens with confidence and comfort without breaking the bank!👟

  3. Thank you so much! Your site has become one of my favorites, and I’ve gained valuable insights, particularly regarding affordable golf shoes. I never knew there were so many options available! I’m looking forward to exploring more topics and learning even more from your well-crafted content. Keep up the excellent work!

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