Budget-friendly golf shoes for men

We appreciate that ‘friendly’ to one budget can still be rather ‘unfriendly’ to others. With this in mind we have rambled through our definitive guide to the best golf shoes to pull out some of the highest-performing pairs from the best golf brands that retail at the lower end of the price scale.

Bear in mind, however, that even these models are a significant investment of cash. A golf shoe should deliver protection, comfort and grip as non-negotiables in our opinion and it would be remiss of us to suggest models that don’t meet these expectations just to save a few extra bucks.

After all, cheap and cheerful is not necessarily budget-friendly if you end up replacing them because you don’t trust your stance, or you are regularly finishing your round with wet or aching feet.

So, let’s crack on and reveal our shortlist of the best budget-friendly golf shoes for men.

Under Armour Charged Draw 2 Golf Shoes – £95 / $110 RRP

The Under Armour Charged Draw 2 is a great-looking fully waterproof shoe that provides comfort and superb traction and sits at a very attractive price point. It has nine cleats with the RST 2.0 spikes securing the foot and stopping lateral movement when swinging. It has a microfiber upper and a TPU outsole, and so far, we’ve found that makes the shoe breathable, durable and flexible. The ‘Charged Cushioning’ sole is uber comfortable and responsive. It also comes with a one-year waterproof warranty just for your peace of mind.

Skechers Go Golf Pro 5 Hyper Golf Shoes – £140 / $155 RRP

Sketchers Go Golf Pro 5 Hyper model has a Major-winning pedigree having been worn by Matt Fitzpatrick during his US Open victory. It features a removable comfort insole with high-performance cushioning, an ultra-lightweight cushioned midsole, and a dynamic traction plate with replaceable cleats for maximum grip. The waterproof synthetic upper offers excellent protection, especially for those of you in North Europe! For the price, the Pro 5 is competing with some of the biggest models in 2023.

Adidas CodeChaos 22 Golf Shoes – £140 / $160 RRP

When Adidas unleashed the Codechaos range the styling caused a bit of a stir. But beneath all the razzle-dazzle, is a shoe that does a really good job. The sole reminds us of a trail or climbing model and provides exceptional levels of grip, while the upper, despite its looks, is completely waterproof. CodeChaos is among the most comfortable Adidas shoes and uses the Boost cushioning system which we have long sung the praises of. It’s a great multi-use shoe, that comes in a huge array of colors, retailing at a surprisingly reasonable price.

FootJoy Fuel Golf Shoes – £135 / $130

When you think of FootJoy, chances are that you picture the more traditional-style shoe the brand is renowned for, but they are superb at making the more sporty models too. Their Fuel model certainly fits the bill here with its dynamic design, streamlined styling, bold colors, and a price that represents excellent value. It delivers enhanced grip, increased traction, and superb stability while proving totally suitable for wearing off the course. The synthetic uppers are waterproof and proved easy to clean, making this an ideal waterproof golf shoe, available in men’s, women’s, and junior models.

Puma GS Fast Golf Shoes – £110 / $130

Puma have made some of our favorite golf shoes over the past couple of years and the GS Fast is another standout at a reasonable price. Having worn several pairs of Puma’s Ignite golf shoes and last season’s RS-G model, we can vouch for the comfort and versatility of their recent products. The GS Fast takes its inspiration from the RS line and has a seam-sealed design that is fully waterproof. The molded TPU heal piece gives support to the low boot construction and kept our feet perfectly stable on the course.

How to choose golf shoes

Once you have established your maximum budget for a new pair of golf shoes, you can start to build a shortlist of potential models by keeping the following key considerations in mind:

Stability – Sufficient traction is fundamental when playing golf, particularly when swinging on soft and unstable terrain. Spiked shoes excel in this department but the grip of spikeless models have improved significantly. Ensure any shoe you are considering provides you with the stability required to swing confidently in any conditions.

Comfort – Keeping feet fresh and comfortable throughout your round should be a breeze for a quality pair of golf shoes. Aside from being soft and spongy underfoot, a golf shoe should provide sufficient heel and ankle support so you don’t reach the 18th green feeling like you need to go for a lie down in the bar with your feet up.

Protection – You will be lucky to get through a year of golf without getting wet at least a couple of times (particularly in the UK). Golf shoes should have adequate waterproofing to keep your feet dry in downpours, whilst being sufficiently breathable to allow excess heat to escape which can prove equally uncomfortable.