Spikes or spikless?

[Alan Scalzi]

I own a pair of Nike spike golf shoes not bad but comfort is ok , was looking to get the Nike Air max 270 as they are comfortable ( have not tried them on) just worried about traction for the price $150!

[cnosil]

9 hours ago, Alan Scalzi said:

I own a pair of Nike spike golf shoes not bad but comfort is ok , was looking to get the Nike Air max 270 as they are comfortable ( have not tried them on) just worried about traction for the price $150!

There is always a trade off.   Spiked shoes typically provide a little more grip and stability and spikeless tend to provide more comfort.   Traction will be dependent on how much twisting you do with your feet and how damp/wet the conditions are when you play.   Many people play with spikeless shoes and have no complaints.  
 

i’d shop around since the air max 270 is on close out and seems to be available for about $100.   I looked at the soles of the shoes and in my opinion they don’t seem to be the best configuration for traction.  

[TylorJudd]

Both! Spikes when it's wet

[tony@CIC]

I've switched 100% to spikeless here in Florida. But our Fl. course is relatively flat compared to our course in Ohio. I've found  Dicks generally doesn't have a wide selection of shoes. Their sister store Golf Galaxy might be a better bet for you to find the 'right' shoe. 

[JakeSmith2316]

I personally am a spikeless guy when it is nice out. I switch between the few Jordan 1 Low’s I have. (Huge Jordan 1 fan) Only use them for when I am in a cart or walking 9. When I am in for more than that walking I go with my Roshe G. When it is wet I have a pair of Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tours that grip fantastically for me, even being molded ‘spikes’

Edited April 14, 2023 by JakeSmith2316

[GolfSpy_APH]

Spikeless all the way. I love comfort and not to say spiked aren't comfortable, but have always gone towards the spikeless route as they seem to feel better walking and I rarely have issues with grip. 

[GolfSpy_KFT]

I’ve had pairs of both styles. Currently wearing the FJ Hyperflex which is a spiked shoe, and they are the most comfortable golfing shoe I’ve ever owned.

The pair before were Adidas Adipower S Boost 3 which were spikeless and also very comfortable. On wet course conditions, I would find myself slipping on occasion but it wasn’t frequent enough for me to not consider a spikeless pair again when I’m in the market for new shoes. 

[Lee Stanek]

I have worn both before.  I currently have FJ Flex XP spikeless and I like these a lot.  Very comfortable and give good stability.  I don't typically play in really wet conditions but I could see these might be less effective. 

[Pvicary]

For some crazy reason I have 22 pair of golf shoes. That is what my wife told me. Could be the Fl sunshine and having 50 courses at my disposal. Anyway I checked and 7 of them are Spikeless .  I usually play early and my feet move quite a bit so I will normally play spiked. Golf Galaxy probably your best bet.

Edited April 14, 2023 by Pvicary

[TJ1975]

As I've gotten older, I don't tend to go at the ball as hard anymore.  I've switched to almost all spikeless and have noticed no difference in stability.  If you walk a hilly course and the conditions are wet, I would definitely wear my spikes though.   

[berkeleybob]

I go spikes with weather and spikeless mostly in the summer. 

NOTE: "Spikeless" gets autocorrected to "spineless." My iPad is judging me.

[mharr]

Spikeless are good. If you slip while swinging, the problem is your swing or balance, not the shoes.  Sam Snead, one of the smoothest swings and longest hitter for his time, would practice barefoot so that he would not get in bad habits with his balance.

[Always Ping]

I wear both. Spiked FJ Hyper Flex when it is wet. Spikeless FJ Flex when it is dry. Both are real comfortable. i walk a majority of the time. I just bought a pair of FJ Spiked Hyper Flex Carbon. Walking in the house and yard. Great grip and comfort. The carbon Piece in the sole takes care of the lack of support in the old Hyper Flex. I order primarily online from Carl's or TGW.

[DoubleBogie33]

Quote

I wear spiked shoes in the morning and if I play in the afternoon, spikeless.  Reasoning is... our course in SoTex is always wet from sprinkler runs at night but dries up mid-day.  So its very common to have slippage with play early but not later in the day.

 

[Robi]

Depends on conditions and the course. Wet course spikes, hilly course spikes, flatter course spike less. I forgot my other pair at the house whatever is in the bag then. 

[dlm]

Spike less are so convenient, you should have some (I use 3 rotating).  But, with some playing conditions and courses, I am glad to have on my one pair of spiked golf shoes.  I think comfort is a matter of price points and fit on various brands, as is the effectiveness of waterproofing.

[TSauer]

I picked up two pair of Pumas last year because the deal was too good to pass up, one spikeless and one spiked. I have yet to wear the spikes. I think I just prefer the comfort of the spikes and the fact that I don't have to change out of them if I want to run some errands afterwards. 

[Guest PeterR]

Some courses don't allow spiked shows any more.  I've gotten used to spike less

[dback]

I'm in Michigan so plenty of wet play, so I need spiked shoes but love to walk when possible and love spikeless for that. A bit more money to have a pair of each but they don't wear as quick that way either.

[TheFonzzz]

Merrel hiking sneakers , done! $80-150 for waterproof! 

Edited April 14, 2023 by TheFonzzz

[Preeway]

I love the comfort of spikeless and I don’t really feel much difference between the two. I tend to buy shoes based on fit and comfort and sometimes a spiked version fits better. 

[Eric K]

Both. Spiked when it’s wet. No question. I had a pair of Sketcher mesh running style spikeless that had a sole that was way too slick. They were only good in absolutely dry conditions. I did recently grab a pair of Adidas CodeChaos 22 spikeless where the soles are a much harder “spike” that in damp conditions still grabs pretty well. 

[ChiefMikeOfficer]

On 4/12/2023 at 9:37 PM, Alan Scalzi said:

I own a pair of Nike spike golf shoes not bad but comfort is ok , was looking to get the Nike Air max 270 as they are comfortable ( have not tried them on) just worried about traction for the price $150!

I have both spiked and spikeless... but it depends on the round. Normally I'd go spikeless for walking, spiked for riding (and especially wet days). When going spikeless, brand and style are both important -- you need to find the right traction for you, and I went through quite a few before finding the ones I like best. My quick rundown that I just sent a buddy (note that none of these are the new 2023 releases -- I have enough golf shoes as it is): 

Favorites are G/Fore MG4+, New Balance Fresh Foam Contend, and Adidas Codechaos. All are very comfortable and have traction that works well for me. 

Works fairly well (again, for me): Asics Gel Kayano Ace (great comfort, OK traction), True Linkswear Knit (traction OK, mostly lacking support in the uppers, seems more like a casual or range shoe than on-course shoe to me). 

Did not work: Puma Ignite (specifically because of traction -- the Ignite has a very specific sole, and it slipped all over the place for me). I think other Puma spikeless soles are different, so might work better, but I'm jaded. Other G/Fore athletic styles didn't work either, but more because of fit, which was surprising because of how well the MG4+ fits me (goal was to dabble in Speedgolf, and wanted a golf shoe that I could run in, rather than a running shoe I could golf in). 

Special Shout-out: New Balance Minimus SL. Loved them. But they're a few years old now. Might be able to find them on clearance somewhere. 

Notably missing: Nike, which is what you were asking about (sorry). The last time I tried Nike, I could not get a good fit, so haven't tried them in the last handful of years.  

[Guest Genes]

Hello Ha,

I’ve been a spiked guy for 50 years. A couple years ago I switched. Went with a pair of Skechers. Cost me a couple hundred but well worth it. No slippage and lasted 2 years at 100 rounds per year. 
I decided a month ago to try out the latest Ecco brand, biom c4 cost around 250. Holy smoke, this pair was really nice. Comfortable and supportive kinda like the wife. 
Plus, without the spikes you can drive with them on and go to stores and restaurants and not worry about slipping or looking like you are wearing something weird on your feet. 

[JohnnyU]

I was wearing a high end pair if spiked golf shoes and was experiencing ankle and achilles tendinitis. I was really worried about something terrible happening. I switched to Puma spikeless golf shoes. The tendinitis has went away and my ankles feel great. I have since purchased several more pairs (different colors) and I love them. I can put on my shoes before I leave the house (because they are spikeless) and wear them all day through post round dinner. I swing pretty hard and have not had any grip issues. I will never switch back to spiked shoes or for that matter wear anything other than Puma's. When I find something that works I stick with it. Good work Puma!

[Guest Chris Yourdan]

I’ve switched from the 270 to the next % almost exclusively. I will throw in the Jordan 1 low on occasion. The next % are comfortable (for me) and grip great. I did have to go up a half size.

[NoRebound]

I'm strictly a spiked guy.  I just bought two pairs of Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 2 shoes from Carl's Golfland for less than $200 including shipping and I love them.  They are a little tighter than the Nikes they replaced but they grip WAY better than the old models did,

I tried the 270s last year and they lasted a round.  Sure, they were more comfortable than spiked shoes but even on a slightly damp course I was slipping all over the place (actually fell trying to hit a shot below my feet).  I lost 10 yards off of my drives because I couldn't dig in and pivot.  I gave the shoes to someone who works at a local course and needed something more waterproof than anything else.  

Look beyond Dick's or Golf Galaxy.  Their shoe selection is poor for spiked shoes and their prices are on the higher side.  

[Hey Arnold]

I own 2 spikeless Jordan’s and 2 spiked Jordan’s and have 0 issue with any of them. I have found them all to be extremely comfortable and provide great traction on the course. As others have mentioned, i use the spiked ones when the course is a little bit more wet or when playing early in the morning. 

[KCEE]

Our course drains really well so I rarely wear spiked shoes any more.  I have a pair of Nike Roshe that are really comfortable, but I can slip at times in them.  My favorite shoes have been the Adidas Code Chaos I've had for several seasons.  They are comfy, grip well and clean up pretty easily.  I paid too much in our pro shop for them a few years ago, but I bought the same pair this winter at DSG for only $40.  I still see them for $60-$80 which is a bargain IMO.  Also have a pair of Trues which I love, but the near zero drop is not for everyone.

[Merlin1313]

On 4/12/2023 at 9:37 PM, Alan Scalzi said:

I own a pair of Nike spike golf shoes not bad but comfort is ok , was looking to get the Nike Air max 270 as they are comfortable ( have not tried them on) just worried about traction for the price $150!

I've got both and nothin but Eccos- wouldn't have anything else. GREAT comfort/durability/traction(but I also have a really wide foot). You can go to any number of websites and find them for a comparable price.  

Edited April 14, 2023 by Merlin1313