Why You Should Wear Spiked Golf Shoes

Average Driving Distance Increases by 5 Yards, Consistency Improves by 46%
90% of Tour Winners Wear Spiked Golf Shoes
Enhanced Grip, Stability, and Control Performance

Golf shoes are equipment that determine the quality of play. They also serve as an aid for achieving the best possible shot. Golf shoes are largely divided into spiked and spikeless types. If you choose based on performance, the answer is clear: spiked golf shoes.

According to Golf Monthly, a U.S. golf media outlet, about 80% of players on the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour in the United States wear spiked golf shoes. Among last year's male and female tour winners, 90% chose spiked golf shoes.

It is extremely rare to see players wearing spikeless golf shoes on the tour. All four men's major tournament winners wore spiked golf shoes, and among the five women's major winners, three played in spiked golf shoes. Power hitters such as Charley Hull (England) and Brooke Henderson (Canada) also insist on wearing spiked golf shoes.

Spike golf shoes are worn by 80% of male and female tour players in the United States. Provided by Golf Monthly

The functional differences can be confirmed with numbers. Spiked golf shoes increase average driving distance by more than 5 yards compared to spikeless shoes, improve shot consistency by 46%, and reduce dispersion by 60%. They also demonstrate clear superiority in grip, stability, and control.

In the past, spiked golf shoes were mostly made of metal. The noise generated when the spikes hit the ground was considered a drawback. However, recently, with more diverse materials used for outsoles and spikes, noise has been reduced and turf damage has been minimized. Concerns about slipping or losing balance have also been greatly alleviated.

The strength of spiked golf shoes is that they simultaneously enhance both distance and accuracy. Amateur golfers with powerful swings tend to have unstable lower bodies. In these cases, spiked golf shoes provide stable propulsion from downswing to impact, helping to deliver power accurately.

The strengths of Spike golf shoes include increased distance, consistency, traction, and stability. Provided by MyGolfSpy

For golfers with low handicaps, wearing spiked golf shoes is effective. In particular, golfers with swing speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour (about 145 km/h) will notice a significant difference. On the other hand, golfers with slower swing speeds are less likely to feel a significant performance gap between the two types of shoes.

The course environment is also an important factor in choosing golf shoes. On hilly courses, muddy winter conditions, or slippery terrain, spiked golf shoes help ensure stable play. For female golfers with a higher upper body weight ratio or golfers who lack a strong sense of balance, the added grip is a definite advantage.

Spiked golf shoes can be replaced when worn out. It is generally recommended to replace the spikes every 15 rounds. While many golfers avoid this due to the hassle, the recent popularity of soft spikes has made replacement much easier.