How Should Golf Shoes Fit to Improve Performance

When buying a new pair of golf shoes, it’s crucial to know how should golf shoes fit. Remember, while navigating the course, you will take thousands of steps throughout to go from one area to another.

For this, you will need a winning pair of golf shoes that can effectively support you.

How Should Golf Shoes Fit

Above all, comfort is the first thing you should keep in mind when choosing a golf shoe.

Before going through brands and designs of shoes, you must first answer the question, how should my golf shoes fit?

Remember, the correct fit and size of shoes can significantly enhance your game performance.

On the contrary, a golf shoe that is too big or too small can negatively impact your stance. It can result in intolerable pain and discomfort and even in sustaining blisters.

Hence, knowing how are golf shoes supposed to fit can help you beat these odds. Fortunately, whatever the size of your feet is, there is a golf shoe that will fit you comfortably.

But before that, here are some guidelines to remember how should golf shoes fit when making a purchase:

Wear Your Golf Socks

How should my golf shoes fit when trying out shoes would highly depend on the socks you wear on the course.

And so, you have to wear the golf socks you wear on the course when shopping for your golf shoes.

Otherwise, you may end up buying a shoe with an inaccurate size as socks are vital in precise golf shoe fitting.

Measuring Your Foot Size

Among other things, the most important thing about knowing how should golf shoes fit is having a proper shoe fitting. They typically use foot-measuring devices in golf shoe stores.

Think of it just like club fitting. Professional golf shoe fitting can provide you with valuable information on what type of golf shoe would best suit you.

We’ll dive in more later on the procedure of foot using a foot-measuring device.

First, here are some basic guidelines on measuring length and width on how are golf shoes supposed to fit:

• Length

When fitting, check if your second toe is longer than your big toe. It is the standard in knowing how should my golf shoes fit. If it is, then it is advisable to buy a shoe one-half size up.

• Width

For the width, you have to measure the ball of the foot. Make sure that your feet are flat on the surface when measuring your shoe size.

Check Your Shoe Insoles and Cleats

Your worn shoe’s insoles and cleats can be a good starting point of how are golf shoes supposed to fit. It can tell you what exact type of shoe your feet need that will provide the maximum comfort.

Here are some guidelines for shoe insoles:

• Your shoe insole would tell you about which part of your foot is having excessive contact against your shoe.
  
• If your current feet impresses deeply onto your current shoe, you might need a golf shoe with an extra cushion.

Here are some guidelines when it comes to shoe cleats:

• If it feels tremendously worn inside the heel, you might need a shoe with an extra arch assist.
  
• On the other hand, if it feels excessively worn outside the heel, you might need a more flexible shoe.

Opt for a Wider Shoe

Your shoes’ toe box must have enough space for you to move your toes.

Generally, how should golf shoes fit is better when it has a broader size. This characteristic helps you move more comfortably while walking and standing on the course.

Tip for Buying Women’s Golf Shoe

Women’s golf shoes slightly differ in how are golf shoes supposed to fit compared to men’s golf shoes.

While it is considerably narrower, it shouldn’t be as narrow as the regular dress shoes.

It’s crucial to have a shoe that does not constrict your movement and performance on and off the course.

With that, a shoe with a deep toe box allows for improved comfort compared to wearing narrow shoes.

Golf Shoe Fitting Tips

As mentioned, most golf shoe stores have a foot-measuring device that can provide an accurate measurement of your golf shoe size.

This device, along with the help of an expert, can help you find a golf shoe that perfectly matches you.

Here are the typical steps of sizing your feet using a foot-measuring tool:

• Shove your heel into the left or right cup in the device until your feet snug perfectly.
  
• Glide the device’s width bar until it touches the edge of your foot. The number at your big toe’s tip will tell the measurement of your feet. (It typically falls under three categories, such as thin, average, or wide size.)
  
• Using the other foot, repeat the process making sure your other foot are not slightly different in size. (When doing the procedure for your other foot, make sure that the measurement is not far from the other foot’s measurement.)

Here are some crucial guidelines that you should keep in mind during a shoe fitting:

• Schedule your shoe fitting appointment at the end of the day when your feet are already well-rested. Try not to get your shoe measured in the middle of the day.
  
• During your shoe-fitting, sit down and position your leg at a 45° angle. Measuring while standing creates pressure that causes the feet and toes to spread.
  
• Wear the golf socks you wear while playing on the course.
  
• Note that you will need to change your shoe throughout your golfing career. As you age and as your body changes, your feet can widen or change in size as well.
  
• Don’t trust the shoe size that you see on the box.

Trying on Golf Shoes

Next, here are the things you need to remember how should golf shoes fit when initially trying them on:

• Lacing

When it comes to lacing, there must at least be a 16mm eyelet distance when the shoes are tied on how should golf shoes fit.

When there is an excess in this measurement, it means that your shoe is too narrow. On the contrary, when there is less space between them, it means that your shoe is too broad.

• Forefoot

When measuring your forefoot, there should be at least 13mm of space between your shoe end and your longest toe.

Furthermore, your shoe’s forefront must be smooth and does not appear rippled when you tie it. When it’s rippled, it means that the shoe is too snug.

To test this, try to walk around while wearing the shoe and see if your heel slides.

When this happens, there is a potential for your heel and toe to sustain blisters. Also, try to flex it to see if the shoe break would fall flat on your forefoot’s flex.

• Test Your Swing

When trying on your shoe, try your basic swings to see if it feels too compressed or too loose.

Since this is your shoe’s primary purpose, how should golf shoes fit should be according to your swing and shots.

• Try Walking Around

Of course, aside from testing your swing, you should also try walking around while wearing the shoe.

It should feel snug enough and does not slide or slip with every step. There should be room around the toe area of the shoe where you can wiggle your toes.

Otherwise, the golf shoe is a smaller fit for you.

Importance of Proper Golf Shoe Fitting

Keep in mind that whether you utilize a golf car or not, you will still walk a few miles during a regular round.

Hence, you must not settle for a shoe that doesn’t fit your size. Proper shoe fit is a determining factor in the performance of most players.

Generally, a player who wears a properly fit shoe generally performs better compared to someone who doesn’t.

With that said, here are the reasons why it’s essential to know how should golf shoes fit properly:

• Comfort

Again, above all, you’re aiming for comfort with the golf shoe you’re buying.

Having a properly fitted golf shoe prevents friction, sliding, and blistering. It helps prevent unnecessary pain, which you can get from poorly fitted shoes.

• Performance

Unlike wearing a wrong shoe size, wearing a properly fitted shoe can enhance your swing performance. It also supports stability with every shot and movement in the course.

• Appearance

Finally, a shot that fits will last longer and look better in the long run as it is able to hold its shape efficiently.

Signs that You’re Wearing the Wrong Size

Poor shoe fitting can cause intolerable physical discomfort.

It can also cause back pain, leg pain, heel pain, and blisters after a certain period in the course.

Meanwhile, a good-fitting golf shoe allows you to concentrate on all your swings and shots.

With that, here are the telling signs that the golf shoe you’re buying is of the wrong size.

Size of your shoe is too big

• Shoe eyelets are too close.
  
• The shoe appears bunching.
  
• The heel pocket easily wears
  
• The shoe insole quickly wears.
  
• Even without unlacing, the shoe slips off easily.

Size of your shoe is too small

• Shoe eyelets are too far apart.
  
• The shoe stretches around the toe area.
  
• The shoe is difficult to remove.

You can easily spot these signs the moment you try on the shoes you’re interested in purchasing.

Hence, it is essential to have a keen eye to avoid buying shoes of the wrong size and fit.

Wear a Shoe that Fits

While it may seem like golf shoes look the same in appearance and specs, that is actually not the case.

It’s essential for every golfer to assess how should golf shoes fit.

By wearing a shoe that fits, you’re doing your feet and your game a big favor.

Last Updated on December 4, 2023 by Paul Roger Steinberg