Do Golf Shoes Make a Difference?

There is a lot of debate over whether golf shoes are really worth the price or not. Some people swear that they are absolutely necessary, including many professional golfers. However, there are also many people who feel that any lightweight pair of shoes that fit comfortably work just as well. If you are part of the other group of people, those who are undecided, perhaps you should check out why others feel that golf shoes are a great thing when it comes to playing a good game or a bad one.
A lot of people do agree that if you will be playing golf on a course that is wet, golf shoes and spikes are a definite bonus. The spikes are there to help ensure that your feet stay planted firmly in the position they need to be in, no matter what type of ground you are standing on. This ensures that your weight transfer stays consistent throughout the entire rotation of your body. However, there are just as many people who say that in dry, hot weather you may be a little happier if you are wearing running or walking shoes that are designed to be cooler.
Golf shoes are also designed to be much more flexible than other types of shoes and to be flexible in a different way than normal shoes. A regular tennis shoe or even shoes that are designed for other sports and have spikes, provide more support around the ankle than any other area of the foot. Golf shoes are designed to give you the ability to move so that when you are standing in a difficult area, you still have the freedom of movement required to swing. The other side of this is the fact that there are golf shoes that are designed to hold your foot more firmly in place. This seems to be a contradiction to some.
The sole of a golf shoe is also designed for the way your feet need to stand while you are taking a big swing. They are raised more than standard athletic shoes to keep your heel and toe in line the way it should be from the backswing, to impact, and the follow through. This keeps every part of your foot comfortable and gives you a more solid base to stand on. For many people who love playing golf, this alone makes their golf game improve as well as their ability to remain comfortable through a full 18 holes.