The best golf sneakers will take you from the course to the clubhouse in style

Golf sneakers are now well and truly the accepted norm out on the course, but not all are created equal.

08 Sep 2025

The rise of the golf sneaker in the last 15 years has done more than perhaps any other trend to change golf's relationship with fashion.

With a younger, more tuned-in generation of golfers taking cues from other sports and wider street style in shaping their own sense of on-course fashion, both seasoned tour vets and everyday hackers have gravitated towards more casually-styled golf shoes in the past decade.

In 2025, there are as many sneaker-style golf shoes on the market as there are specialist spiked and spikeless shoes, with sneaker giants like Nike, Adidas, Puma and Reebok having all bringing their retro models to the course to varying degrees. More specialised shoe brands like Ecco, FootJoy and G/FORE have all gotten involved to some extent as well. And while all of these will do a job for casual rounds, only a select few channel true on-course performance and comfort while maintaining the street-ready looks golfers love them for.

Here, then, are our favourite golf sneakers of 2025, combining good looks, comfort and grip to keep you feeling at your best both out on the course and in the clubhouse.

The best golf sneakers for 2025

New Balance 997 Golf

Price: £159.99

Key Features:

Waterproof Microfibre Leather Upper: delivers style and protection in equal measure
Abzorb Midsole & CUSH+ Insole: lightweight cushioned midsole provides comfort and responsiveness
Spiked or spikeless options

Pros:

One of the most stylish golf shoes of the year
Immediate out of the box comfort
The only spiked golf sneaker on this list

Cons:

The slightly boxy design might not suit every golfer's eye

The New Balance 997 Golf Shoes draw inspiration from the iconic 997 range of trainers, aiming to blend style and performance.

Looks-wise, they maintain the classic New Balance design with subtle modifications for golf, seamlessly transitioning from streetwear to the course. The grey, white, and blue colour scheme, along with suede panels, adds a touch of luxury to their appearance.

In terms of performance and comfort, they offer immediate comfort with ample cushioning and solid arch support. The CUSH+ insole moulds to the foot for enhanced comfort over time. Traction is reliable in both the spiked and spikeless options, with rubber nubs and in the former, the SoftSpikes Fast Twist 3.0 delivering long lasting traction, comfort and stability even in wet conditions. Plus, they're waterproof, ensuring dry feet in rainy weather.

For those who appreciate the aesthetic of athletic trainers but seek the performance of spiked golf shoes, the New Balance 997 Golf Shoes are an ideal choice. Their durable construction and timeless style make them suitable for year-round wear, especially for style-conscious golfers.

READ OUR FULL NEW BALANCE 997 GOLF SHOE REVIEW

ECCO Golf Street 720

Price: £180

Key Features:

E-DTS TWIST outsole: delivers multi-directional traction both on and off-course
Perforated ECCO leather construction: elevates the luxury design, adding style and protection
GORE-TEX Surround: for protection from the elements and breathability

Pros:

Timeless style
Premium leather feels and looks great
Excellent stability and traction

Cons:

No notable cons

Designed to be worn straight from the course to the club, the Street 720 golf shoes from ECCO boast a functional and stylish design that incorporates premium leather, GORE-TEX and a E-DTS Twist sole in order to deliver performance on the course.

The full white upper takes a page out of the fashion bible with its clean lines, smooth paneling and discreet perforations, more commonly seen on the runway than the links.

We're huge fans of the look of these shoes, and they're ideal for everyday wear. They also deliver excellent comfort, with a midsole and insole that team up to deliver a soft and sturdy ride, that also provides plenty of structure and stability through the golf swing.

While we would suggest these golf shoes are best worn in the winter, they also feature a GORE-TEX surround, that will keep your feet dry if the weather does decide to turn.

In terms of grip, these shoes feature a full sole of rubber lugs that deliver multi directional, and during testing we noticed no loss of footing or grip during our round.

An excellent spikeless golf shoe that performs as well as it looks.

Shop now: £180 from Ecco

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF THE ECCO STREET 720 GOLF SHOES

G/FORE G.112

Price: £185

Key Features:

Seamless synthetic upper: constructed for premium performance in any conditions
High-performance rebound Eva midsole: features an outsole with a lateral wrap for superior stability
Single rubber outsole: ensures maximum mobility and stability on the course
Low drop shoe: for additional turf traction and extra steady footing
TPU shank: for superior lightweight arch support
Heel-to-toe turf traction: allows for a smooth and steady swinging motion

Pros:

Massaging inner sole is genuinely innovative
Fashion-forward look that remains casual
Fantastic traction

Cons:

Looks will definitely divide opinion

G/FORE has never been a brand afraid to push golfing style in bolder directions, and the G.112 might be their most radical looking shoe to date. Drawing on high fashion sneakers as a source of inspiration, the G.112 is notable for its classic tennis shoe silhouette distinctive spiked outsole, which wraps around to provide both traction and an eye-catching look.

The outsole looks striking and delivers fantastic grip out on the course, while the G.112 also offers oodles of comfort by way of an engineered foam midsole and the brand's signature massaging inner soles. They're among the most comfortable shoes on this list, leaving your feet feeling fresh and ready for more even after 18 holes.

The looks of the G.112 will of course divide opinion, but that's just how G/FORE like it. Either way, they're among the most comfortable and well-made shoes on this list, and well worth the investment if you want to turn heads in comfort.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF THE G/FORE G.112 GOLF SHOES

New Balance 480 SL Golf

Price: £119.99

Key Features:

Synthetic Leather & Mesh Upper: soft and supple design also provides protection from the elements
Foam midsole & Zoom Air Unit: designed to provide long-lasting comfort on and off the course
Integrated Traction Pattern: to deliver grip and stability on any terrain

Pros:

Excellent comfort despite the minimal cushioning
Great grip
PU Upper is easy to maintain
Very stylish

Cons:

Might not be cushy enough for some

Just like all good retro sneakers, New Balance's 480 SL Golf packs plenty of old-school practicality into a timelessly stylish package.

Designed initially for the basketball court in the '80s but repurposed for the course, the 480 SL carries plenty of retro charm, with clever updates like a waterproof PU upper and a spikeless lugged outsole for lots of grip without losing that street-derived silhouette.

The 480 SL is among the most minimally engineered shoes on this list outside of that, and you'd be hard-pressed to tell it apart from its normal sneaker counterpart. As such, if you truly want a shoe that'll go effortlessly from the course to running your daily errands in, this should be at the top of your list.

READ OUR FULL NEW BALANCE 480 SL GOLF REVIEW

Nike Air Pegasus 89 G

Price: £109.99

Key Features:

Synthetic Leather & Mesh Upper: soft and supple design also provides protection from the elements
Foam midsole & Zoom Air Unit: designed to provide long-lasting comfort on and off the course
Integrated Traction Pattern: to deliver grip and stability on any terrain

Pros:

Trainer like comfort
Golf shoes don't come much more stylish
One-year waterproof warranty

Cons:

Stability could be better

Nike's Air Pegasus 89 G golf shoes combine retro charm with modern comfort to meet the growing demand for trainer-like golf footwear.

Following in the footsteps of classic designs like the Air Jordan 1 and Nike Air Max 1 86, these shoes offer an ideal balance of on-course performance and off-course styling that few other brands can match.

Tested at the London Club, the shoes boast a timeless design, with the iconic Nike tick taking centre stage and quality synthetic leather panels providing structure and texture. Despite being marked easily, they offer comfort with a Zoom Air unit in the heel and generous width, preventing any unwanted rubbing.

Their soles provide excellent grip even in wet conditions, though stability may be an issue for bigger golfers or those with intense swings. Nevertheless, for most golfers, they offer impressive comfort and performance.

These shoes are ideal for summer rounds, transitioning seamlessly from the course to other activities while offering fantastic value at just over £100. If you seek versatile golf footwear with timeless appeal, excellent comfort, and traction, the Air Pegasus 89 G is a top contender.

Shop now: £109.99 from Nike

READ OUR FULL NIKE AIR PEGASUS 89 G GOLF SHOES REVIEW

J. Lindeberg Vent 500

Price: £199

Key Features:

Ortholite insole: provides a cushioned ride
Seam-sealed construction: protects your feet from rain
Laminated bridge logo: adds a stylish touch to the design

Pros:

Traction is excellent for a spikeless shoe
JL branding is big but beautiful
Ortholite+ insole provides a lovely, cushioned ride

Cons:

Run half a size small
Creasing in the midfoot may cause some discomfort on the first wear

J. Lindeberg's Vent 500 shoes feature a bold design with a chunky sole, mesh upper, and a large JL bridge logo.

The logo blends into the shoe’s silhouette, giving it a modern and structured look. Available in white, blue, black, and green, these shoes boast a sporty silhouette and a trendy chunky sole, aligning with contemporary streetwear. Despite typically disliking big branding, the design team at JL has successfully made it work.

These shoes run small, so consider sizing up. Initially tight around the toe and with a stiff mesh upper, they benefit from being worn around the house before hitting the course.

The panel above the midfoot may crease, causing initial discomfort, but this should ease as the material softens. The Ortholite+ insole offers excellent cushioning and energy return. Pronounced TPU nubs provide effective traction on both dry and moist grounds, ensuring stability throughout the golf swing. Despite the forefoot crease and small sizing, the Vent 500s perform well, particularly in terms of traction.

Stylish, waterproof, and offering excellent traction, the J. Lindeberg Vent 500s are worth trying. Suitable for on and off-course wear, they provide versatility and a cushioned ride. Ensure to try them on for the correct size.

Shop now: £200 from J.Lindeberg

READ OUR FULL J. LINDEBERG VENT 500 REVIEW

Reebok Club C Golf

Price: $100

Key Features

Water-resistant leather upper
Classic sneaker-inspired look
Lugged spikeless outsole

Pros

Sturdy upper
Minimalist platform gives good feedback
Surpisingly good grip
Easy to style

Cons

Long-term comfort is lacking

The latest big release from a brand that's only just re-entered the market (albeit in a big way), Reebok's Club C Golf Shoe captures the aesthetic of the classic '80s sneaker while tweaking a few engineering points to cater to the modern golfer.

The Club C provides an experience pretty typical of what we've come to expect from a retro sneaker re-made for the course. It has a sturdy leather upper, sleek looks and fairly minimal cushioning.

The rubber outsole has also been upgraded with lugs for enhanced traction — an area of the shoe we found performed surprisingly well throughout our test at JCB Golf & Country Club.

Where we found the Club C disappointed somewhat, however, was in the cushioning. While as a traditional trainer it's by no means uncomfortable, compared to some of the more cushioned shoes on this list it could prove tiresome to wear over a full day walking the course.

Even so, at just $100, there are few better looking shoes on the market - making it an enticing option for the golfer who values style as much they do substance.

Shop now: $100 from Reebok USA

READ OUR FULL REEBOK CLUB C GOLF REVIEW

Nike Air Jordan 1 Low G

Price: £134.99

Key Features

Water-resistant leather upper
Classic sneaker-inspired look
Lugged spikeless outsole

Pros

One of the best looking shoes on the market
Air bubble in heel cushion provides excellent comfort and support
Looks just as good on and off the course
Genuine leather gives the shoes a premium feel

Cons

Traction slips a little in the wet

Most commonly seen on the feet of sneaker-loving Nike ambassador Tony Finau (although Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson are also noted fans), the Air Jordan 1 G has been around for a while now, but continues to set the bar in bringing classic retro sneaker style to the course.

Performance-wise, the Jordan 1 Low G is a fairly low-key option, with minimalist heritage traction on the sole and light cushioning included by way of the Jordan 1's air bubble in the heel. The shoe, however, keeps you feeling low and planted to the ground, while the premium leather upper looks clean and classy as all retro Jordan sneakers should.

Being based on a shoe now approaching 40 years old, the Jordan 1 Low G is not a shoe that'll overwhelm you with technical features. But it remains one of the best-looking golf shoes on the market, and one that'll play well in dry conditions and look blend in seamlessly to any casual outfit off the course.

Shop now: $134.99 from Nike

READ OUR FULL NIKE AIR JORDAN 1 LOW G REVIEW

Brad Nash is Reviews Editor at GolfMagic, having joined the team in June 2025 to look after all things reviews, soft goods testing and equipment alongside Equipment Editor Tom. Primarily a writer, you may see him pop up in videos or on the GolfMagic socials from time to time.