The skies opened up as I rounded the eighth hole the other day; just a quick downpour on what would turn out to be a totally playable 18 holes despite that setback. But it was enough to
make things damp.

As I splashed my way through a soggy spot, I thought one thing: I’m glad I have decent golf shoes.

Here’s the thing: Decent golf shoes – as in ones that work best for you, fit you properly and
just plain feel good – are about way more than keeping your feet from feeling swampy. You might say the right pair of golf shoes is your true foundation for building a solid game.

I didn’t know this, and until I learned more, tended to want shoes that had cute accents or
looked nice with my golf outfits (there’s no shame in dressing natty for the game!). No surprise
they never quite felt right and were (I didn’t know this then) actually a deterrent to better play,
since they were not just right for me.

As a skier, I should have realized that what goes on your feet and how that feels impacts
everything about that sport.

Good news. Golf shoe technology is evolving at a fast clip. Just like ski boots have over the past 15 years, golf shoes now not only have way more options – from brands to styles within brands – and ways to make sure they feel and work just right.

Here in New England, we were and are kind of the pioneers of golf shoe technology. After all,
FootJoy (https://www.footjoy.com) has been providing shoes to golfers around the world to
everyone from the everyday golfer to the PGA and LPGA pros (they’re said to be the number
one provider of golf shoes to the tours since 1945), since 1923, having celebrated their 100th
birthday a year ago.

Their understated Brockton headquarters along with their intimate group of 12 designers (for
perspective, Bauer Skates has a team of more than 80 designers) is ground zero for shoe
evolution and how it translates to player performance.

They have a “pyramid of influence” they lean on: Pros, PGA players, collegiates and everyday
players are all called upon to test product, give input and guide the company in creating shoes
that better games.

So what do we all need to care about (other than a snappy look?) The “Three C’s” of golf shoes focus on climate, comfort and control.

Climate is the easy one – and the one I was thankful for that soggy round. You want a shoe that keeps you dry but still breathes – it can get hot out there on the course, of course.

Comfort is more than just feeling generally good: you want a shoe that supports you but lets
you move; just not so much that you shift in a swing. Fit is what it’s about. Like ski boots, it’s
estimated that as many as 70 percent of golfers are in the wrong size – and usually they need a smaller size. Getting a good fitting from a golf shop that understands the nuances is worthy of your time.

And control is where it is all at – and the part I really didn’t comprehend until now. Your swing
may come from your hips and upper body, but it radiates from the sole of your foot. If you’re in
a shoe that allows you wiggle room or squeezes too tight and fights you? It’s going to impact
your play, and not in a good way.

FootJoy is now beta testing a new technology that it hopes to debut in 2025. It works like this
You step barefoot into a box that goes up to about your mid shin, and a camera system scans
every part of your foot, exposing arch variances, length, toe shape and often evidence of two
completely different sized feet. FootJoy will staff these with technicians able to pick out just the
right shoes (many players use different shoes for different conditions) for you.

For now, golfers should take their time choosing the right shoe. And if your feet are feeling
off, set aside time and spend the money to get a pair that’s right for you.

There’s a lot to think about out on the course. Find the shoe – FootJoy or otherwise – that’s just right for you and you’ll not need to even ponder if your foundation is solid.

But I still want them to look great, too. With my current level of play, looking good is one
constant I can control. No shame in that game.

In wet conditions, having a dry pair of shoes is a godsend for golfers. (Ken Mello photo)
Sometimes golfers don’t put enough emphasis on what kind of shoes they’re going to wear. (Ken Mello photo)