How long do you keep a pair of golf shoes?

[JP Balajadia]

My friends and I play ~100 rounds a year and walk most rounds. If an average round of golf is 5 miles of walking that is 500 miles of use on your golf shoes. I play with recreational and competitive runners that swap out running shoes every 200-300 miles of wear and wondered if anyone has found suggestions on how much mileage to put on golf shoes before they start to lose their grip/structure/comfort? My shoes are 2-years old and in good shape (exterior) even though by my calculations I should have well over 500 miles of walking on them (I swap out wet weather shoes and a third pair that are spikeless). Any thoughts on how often to swap out shoes for comfort, and if this has any effect on performance?

[GolfSpy_APH]

I have a tough time throwing out and of my golf shoes. I do normally get a new pair each season, but often rotate around. 

My current go to footjoys are probably at the 100 round mark now and are good, I will be changing out the insole however other than that they still perform. 

Part of my issue is they are my best wet weather shoe and since I essentially only play early mornings I it is wet and damp so my mesh shoes just don't cut it.

[JP Balajadia]

I play FJ Dry-Joys for my wet weather shoes…probably 4 years old and still in great shape and still very waterproof. My dry weather gamers are soft spike Adidas which are still supportive ,  it I’ve noticed the material in the heel cup starting to deteriorate probably from the twisting motion that the golf swing requires. It’s a much different wear pattern than my running shoes. The exposed leather in the heel cup is starting to wear through my socks, so probably going to buy a new pair and track over time, with number of rounds played to see when this becomes a noticeable issue. 

[No3PuttLaLa]

I’m in the shoe business and shoes are by the dozen for me, however, when I find a pair to game that are comfortable… I wear them until they either aren’t water proof anymore or they start causing blisters.

I am also a bit of a diva and swap shoes based on my outfit. My gamers right now though are ASICS Gel Course Duo BOA and they are hands down the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn golfing. 

[jlconnolly11]

I typically stick with spikeless, so I tend to keep mine for yardwork and other uses even after I buy new ones for golf. After that, I use them til the soles fall off.

[WillRowland]

Hi, I play early mornings with heavy dew.  And on normal days my home course is a bit on the wet side anyways.  This obviously calls for water tight shoes.  I am currently using three pairs (normally two) of Foot Joy Classic, spikeless.  They are not “water proof” but are guaranteed to be “weather proof” for two years.  Well, one pair came up short and started to leak after one year.  I returned it to Foot Joy and received a replacement pair “no questions” asked!.  Hence I am swapping out three pairs; brown, black & white.  I play between 100 and 80 rounds a year and 85% of it is walking.

[cnosil]

I am not a huge golf shoe person.  I keep and wear the same pair until they wear out.   That could be comfort, condition overall, or they aren’t waterproof anymore,   I typically play once a weekish so 52 rounds a year and I’d say my last shoes lasted 4 years before I switched this year.   

[GolfSpy_APH]

55 minutes ago, cnosil said:

I am not a huge golf shoe person.  I keep and wear the same pair until they wear out.   That could be comfort, condition overall, or they aren’t waterproof anymore,   I typically play once a weekish so 52 rounds a year and I’d say my last shoes lasted 4 years before I switched this year.   

Shhh! Don't let @GolfSpy_Connor hear that! hehe

[Josh Parker]

1 hour ago, cnosil said:

I am not a huge golf shoe person.  I keep and wear the same pair until they wear out.   That could be comfort, condition overall, or they aren’t waterproof anymore,   I typically play once a weekish so 52 rounds a year and I’d say my last shoes lasted 4 years before I switched this year.   

I'm right there with you on this one!  As long as they are comfortable and no holes, I'm wearing them.  

[KC Golf]

For me a year or two at most.  Usually the heels wear out or the spikeless traction disappears from wear.

I am definitely not getting style points with my cleats!  Shocking right?

[Byrnzee]

I'm ashamed to say I've been wearing the same golf shoes for probably close to 6 years. I wish I could say they were expensive FootJoy premier shoes or something that justified the prolonged tenure, but they weren't. They are the Under Armour Jordan Spieth shoes (I'm fairly sure the first edition). 

They've surprisingly lasted all this time and are still in fairly good shape. The back right heel has worn out a bit inside the shoe, but the outside has remained relatively stable. Earlier this year I purchased some Air Jordan 1 lows to use as a spikeless option during the summer or at the driving range. I've been a big fan of the Jordans both in terms of look and feel.

I also recently purchased a new pair of FootJoy Traditions that I'll be receiving later this week. Time to retire the old Spieths and move onto to something new and fresh!

[cnosil]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Shhh! Don't let @GolfSpy_Connor hear that! hehe

They already know.   I am constantly picked on when I go testing because i always wear the same pair of shoes.  The last pair I bought because they were giving me so much grief about the soles almost being worn though.   I did right thing, bought a new pair and made the old pair to my lawn shoes.   HQ definitely feels like I should have more shoes.  

[EMacK1961]

I keep a pair of shoes until the uppers give out. I walk 3 times a week, 6 miles a round, 18 miles a week. I usually get about 2-3 years out of a pair. I keep the spikes changed, uppers clean as possible, and rotate shoes (I use two pairs). So if I only used one pair, I'd have to say I get around a year and a half out of a pair +/-.

[Shlax]

I feel that quality and properly fitted golf shoes will last long enough that most people will change them before the shoes are worned out or that they are forced to (simply for the sake of having nice new shoes for example, at least that’s it for me, or when I land on a deal so good that I can’t hold back ).

Provided that proper care is performed (e.g., changing spikes each season, standard minimal cleaning and letting them air dry after a round, not dragging feet on asphalt, etc), most quality golf shoes could last multiple seasons (easily 2 to 5+). Of course, shoes worn during wet rounds or shoulder seasons would not last as long, which is normal due to more difficult usage conditions, but a bare minimum of 2-3 busy seasons seems perfectly reasonable IMO.

I rotate 4 pairs (a bit excessive, I know) so they all last quite a long time.

1) 4 years old spikeless shoes for range sessions, par 3 rounds and some 9-hole rounds here and there.

2) 2 years old nice clean and crisp white shoes for dry summer rounds (excluding morning dew sweeping rounds).

3) 2 years old standard dark shoes. All-rounders.

4) Just bought waterproof shoes for shoulders seasons and wet rounds.

Edited September 19, 2023 by Shlax
Rotation

[NubianRugby]

4 hours ago, cnosil said:

I am not a huge golf shoe person.  I keep and wear the same pair until they wear out.   That could be comfort, condition overall, or they aren’t waterproof anymore,   I typically play once a weekish so 52 rounds a year and I’d say my last shoes lasted 4 years before I switched this year.   

This the way. I got a pair of old school Footjoys a couple of years ago when I wasn't playing nearly as much as I'm playing now. After a long season of being worn constantly, they're still comfortable and water tight. I won't get rid of them until they start leaking, then maybe I'll indulge in some golf shoe silliness.

[GolfSpy_APH]

I think I'm going to start retiring most shoes after a season. Maybe bring them out for wet or fall but my feet while okay do get more sore the longer I have worn most.

[Preeway]

I’d say it depends on what your feet are telling you. I’ve had pairs last multiple seasons but I’m almost 50 rounds in this year and my feet are telling me it’s time to go shoe shopping soon. 

[Golf2Much]

I play about 150-160 rounds of golf a year (one advantage of being retired and living in Key West).  As others, I typically wear a pair until they fail (e.g. sole starts to separate, spike less traction starts to give or I get a noticeable loss of lateral support in my right foot).   My previous pair of Adidas BOA shoes, I actually adhered the sole back on the shoe twice before I had to toss them.   A metric that seems to hold true for me is that I typically get about two changes of golf spikes in a shoe before it's time to replace them.  Since I play almost exclusively first thing in the morning, getting wet feet during a round is also a message it's time for new shoes.  I still keep my most recent pair of spikeless for when I go for a fitting or hit inside on a mat as they seem to still grip enough and I don't drag in dirt or grass inside.

I used to always have a pair "in waiting" so that when one pair would fail, I immediately have a pair that could go into service. However, in many cases, the waterproof warrantee would expire before the pair got any use.  As other have mentioned, I've started to rotate the two pairs to try and even out the overall wear.  This also helps keeping the waterproof warrantee still viable if one pair should start leaking.  

[DannyDarts]

My Adidas with Boa were awesome and vey waterproof. My sole started to fall off from the front and I had to use shoe goo to save them. They were $74 last year and now adidas charging well over $100. 
Lasted ~40 rounds.

Dissappointed. I will by a higher quality shoe with replaceable spikes next round. I wore my old spikes and noticed I had more power/ground force with them compared to spikeless but I’m a big guy. I also highly recommend a cheap pair of orthotics off Amazon. They do wonders for stability.

[mizunoman2017]

Outdoors until they ceased to be waterproof and then they become the driving range or studio shoes - so probably around 5 years .....

[6 Million Dollar Man]

Basic rule is two pairs of white and two pairs of black-all Skechers.  Play 100 rounds but I ride.  After playing, I always spray a squirt of Dr. Scholl's inside.  Every few months I put some leather conditioner on them.  Seem to last until I get bored with them before they wear out.

[frazzman80]

I go until they lose support or until I can’t replace the spikes anymore. My last pair that I moved on from got to where I could feel the spike lug underneath my left foot on the right side and once I could feel that pressure, I couldn’t get it out of my head that I could feel it if that makes sense. So out they went.

[Headhammer]

Usually until the sole come unattached from the upper. Have a had a number of golf course blowouts over the years.

[King Cobra]

I play around 80+ rounds a year and have 5 pairs of Puma on rotation dependent on course conditions and outfit .

My Puma Titan Tour Ignite soft spikes are used mainly for special away days etc.  I also have Puma Proadapt soft spiked ,Puma Ignite Pro spikeless ,Puma Alphacat leather spikeless and a pair of Puma original G's .  All are leather and cleaned and polished / balmed after use. most of my shoes will last 3/4 years minimum due to rotation .

Once they lose waterproofing or crack then they become my range pair etc. All my pairs are either solid black or white as that's my golfing outfit colours on the course.

 

[YamYam]

For me the question isn't how long I am prepared to keep wearing a pair of golf shoes, but more a case of how long they will last in storage.

I have long been a devotee of FootJoy DryJoys, like many of you guys.  They used to be of the highest quality and were worth spending the extra.

I had to quit golf for a few years because of health problems.  Up until then I had stockpiled a few pairs bought in pro shop sales fully intending to wear them when my current pair(s) gave in, which of course because they are so high quality didn't happen very often.  Those old pairs were so good compared to the ones I had stockpiled. 

The "new" shoes when retrieved from the dark cupboard were worn once and then had to be thrown away.  The soles had totally disintegrated.  FootJoy didn't want to know, which is a reflection on their worsening customer service.  They didn't even answer my emails.

I've still got a few pairs of FJs but now I wear them in rotation.  It means several pairs being stored in my locker or car and decision on the day as to whether, depending on the weather and which trousers I'm wearing, if I wear black, white or saddles.

The compounds they use in the manufacture of FJs are by definition of poor quality.  If I could find good alternatives I would.

I have included photos of one of the pairs.  I have several other pairs, (or rather had as they were binned), which display similar deterioration.

When I bought these, I wasn't aware there was a "use by date".  I understand that there are others who have experienced the same problems, so it's not just me.  

[Shrek74]

I think there are several factors involved in golf shoes, especially compared to running shoes. Although you say you walk and wonder if the same mileage rules apply, I'd say no. Running shoes take a huge pounding from the impacts of every stride, especially knowing they are being used on either pavement or treadmills. So their cushioning will go away much faster than just walking on grass, regardless of how much extra cushion the running shoes usually start with.

I'd look at 3-4 factors when deciding if golf shoes need replacing.

1. If spikeless, are the spikes still viable with grip or are they low enough that any type of dampness has or might cause slipping? Slipping in dry conditions is a definite issue to consider replacing the shoes. If spiked, continue to replace them until the other factors become issues or the threads in the slots strip.

2. Interior wear - heel and ball of the foot area specifically. Has the heel area worn down such that a hole is there now or has it started causing blisters on your heals? Has the insole worn down such that there is a hole in any location (ball of foot tends to be the first place it happens)? Insoles can be replaced easily enough if they are too worn to keep and are causing foot pain. But the heel area once worn is hard to "fix" in any meaningful way.

3. Exterior wear. Has any part of the upper separated from the lower? Are there any holes in the exterior? Has the waterproofing/protection failed, especially after the warranty period? Have any lace holes broken? Has any part of the shoe become uncomfortable for your feet or caused any blisters?

4. Lastly, what are you feet telling you? Are they sore or really tired after a round? Are there any blisters anywhere? Do they just not feel as quality under foot as they once did?

There can be one, two, or all 4 issues that come up that will tell you to consider replacing them. Or perhaps you just don't like how they look any more. It really comes down to how they are wearing against and under your feet and how they are feeling. Yes, there are telltale signs with holes or broken spikes etc.. But only you can decide their fate once you notice any issues or potential issues. Make your call and don't second guess it, especially with all the rounds you play.

[PJVicary]

Well, as you can see, I might have a problem. I keep them until they start to fall apart. And then I try to repair them. It’s the one golf related item my wife remains silent about.

[Richard Fahrney]

I walk my course and my Apple Watch says it’s 6.7 miles each round. I have logged my 100th round so far this year and will probably get to 125 EOY. What I have learned is do not by on price and use the MGS evaluation of golf shoes for quality. Wait for them to go on sale at year end and buy 2 pairs. Thank you MGS for doing the hard work for me. 

[JAXON DE VILLAIN]

I have a Short Par4 subscription, and they were on a shoe kick for a while.  I got two pairs from them in the span of three months.  So right now I am wearing the pair that they sent six months ago, and have two more in the closet waiting until this pair gets worn out.  Or until I go on another golf trip - I take a fresh pair of golf shoes if I can so that I don’t get grass in my suitcase. 

[GolfSpy_KFT]

I wear the FootJoy Hyperflex and got the newest pair this year after the waterproofing wore out on my prior pair. the OG Hypers I wore for almost two full seasons. Can't say enough about FJ's customer service as they have a 2 year waterproof warranty and the waterproofing went out on my first pair after 22 months. Called them up, submitted a claim and they sent me a replacement pair. Comfort is top notch and with the level of customer service I got, I don't plan on wearing another shoe as long as I am playing golf. 

As long as the waterproofing holds and they are still comfortable, like others said, I keep wearing them.