Driving ranges have seen a huge increase in popularity over the last few years. With the post-Covid golf boom still very much apparent. Ranges around the world are now becoming much more intuitive, accessible and have a range of technology available that can provide you with data about how well you're hitting each shot.
While, in most cases, there is no dress code for a driving range, it is still important to wear an appropriate pair of shoes to make sure you have plenty of grip when swinging the golf club to prevent injuries and simulate on-course scenarios. While most will wear a causal pair of trainers to the driving range, the increase in popularity of spikeless, casual golf shoes means these golf shoes are a great option to wear to the range.
This type of golf shoe still has a casual, sporty look to it, but offers much more grip and support than a normal shoe might. They are obviously much more appropriate for a golf course than a casual trainer too, so buying a pair of golf shoes that work great at the range and on the golf course means you're getting more for your money with your next golf shoe investment. Of course, if you don't have a pair of the best golf shoes yet, going to the driving range in a standard pair of sneakers or trainers is absolutely fine too. Below, we've listed some of our favorite golf shoes that we think are ideal for wearing down at the driving range as well as on the golf course.
The Quick List
Our top pick for the driving range, the Ultraboost golf shoe from adidas looks great and has to be one of the most comfortable and versatile shoes on the market.
A shoe with stunning looks that performs very well on the course. Immensely comfortable and good grip too whilst the versatility speaks for itself.
A stunning looking shoe which comes in at a great value price, the Fusion Classic performed excellently during testing in terms of comfort, grip and of course, aesthetics.
An excellent sneaker-style golf shoe that offers the ample comfort and stability. The versatility of the Air Max 270 G golf shoe is hard to beat.
Featuring plenty of cushioning for a comfortable fit and feel, the Ecco Street 720 shoes look great everywhere, and offer solid waterproofing and breathability. An excellent all-round model.
The Air Pegasus '89 is our choice for best golf sneaker thanks to the unmatched versatility as well as excellent levels of comfort, grip and traction. There are loads of sizes and colors to choose from as well.
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This performed very well in most areas like comfort and stability. The aesthetics look cool and aid versatility, whilst there are loads of colors to choose from.
Best Golf Shoes To Wear At The Driving Range
Top pick
Aesthetically, I instantly noticed an identical likeness to the Ultraboost running shoe, which is something that will no doubt go down well with admirers of the original sneakers. The materials are very similar too. It uses a Primeknit mesh upper - which is breathable and water resistant - as well as the sock-like material around the tongue of the shoe. There is plenty of padding around the ankle and there have also been some reinforcements around the toe area. The comfort from the Ultraboost is off the charts. Anyone who has worn the running sneakers will appreciate the softness and cushioning underfoot, and that has translated to this golf shoe.
Although not fully waterproof, it is water resistant, the Ultraboost has incredible breathability, with the mesh upper giving a supreme sense of comfort when I tested out on the course. What's more, I especially liked how the Ultraboost is not pretending to be something it's not. It’s not a shoe to play your 36-hole club championships in, but it is perfect for a casual round. With a silhouette so similar to that of the sneaker, they blend into pretty much any environment. Alongside the Cole Haan ZeroGrand Overtake, True Linkswear FS-01 and Air Jordan 1 Low G, they are the most versatile golf shoes I’ve ever worn.
- Read our full Adidas Ultraboost Golf Shoe Review
Best looking
As Cole Haan are one of the lesser-known brands in the market, I've had many playing partners asking me what these shoes are when Ive been wearing them out on the course. That's how visually stunning these shoes are, and if you're the type of player who likes to wear golf gear that's a little less well known. These are perhaps some of the best golf sneakers in the game, simply for their versatility and stunning aesthetics. I felt really comfortable wearing these both on and off the golf course and they also kept our feet both warm and dry on the golf course thanks to their 100 percent waterproof outer.
Equally, having tested these shoes out on the golf course, I think they are one of the best spikeless golf shoes in the game, offering up ample traction and support on wet ground, thanks to the many rubber lugs that line this shoe's sole.
I also really loved how comfortable they were to wear with the padded and thick sole being a great addition and support to your feet during a long day on the golf course. The GrandPro AM comes in three color options and I had it in the white, with the lovely yellow detailing and sole. The all-black also looks superb.
- Read our full Cole Haan GrandPro AM Golf Shoes Review
Best value
From a value perspective, it is hard to beat the Puma Fusion Classic golf shoes. It is an understated shoe which looks fantastic everywhere. The versatile all white or all black design means they can be paired with almost any outfit and the subtle Puma Cat logo at the top of the heel adds to this versatility.
I was a bit concerned with grip and stability in this spikeless shoe but it performed well. Grip wise, the tacky rubber nubs at various depths on the outsole provide ample grip in dry and even slightly dewy conditions to provide a firm footing from which to swing. Admittedly for proper wet conditions on the course, you would be better off going for a spiked model but the performance is still solid here.
From a comfort perspective, there are softer shoes available within the spikeless shoe market, but few can find the balance between of walking comfort with performance like these can.
Overall the total performance of the shoe is excellent, and when you consider you can find a pair of these less than $100 in some places, the value is undeniable here.
- Read our full Puma Fusion Classic Golf Shoe Review
Most versatile
Perhaps one of the best golf sneakers in the game, the Air Max 270 G shoe is a sporty and stylish option that can be worn both on and off the course. It comes in three different colorways with each delivering a clean and crisp aesthetic, that looks great paired up with some of the best golf trousers or even a pair of the best golf shorts.
The shoe certainly appeals to a younger audience, and do look great worn on and off the course, but there is no mistaking that the Air Max 270s are great for those looking for more comfort too. These shoes fit fairly snug so you may want to order a size up if you want a non-restrictive feel. As you'd expect from a sporty-looking pair of sneakers from Nike, they are also extremely breathable and offer up plenty of ventilation, thanks to the mesh covering that wraps around your foot in the 270's upper. It's worth noting too that this is water-resistant and very easy to clean which is water-resistant and easy to clean.
Akin to many of the best spikeless golf shoes out there, the Air Max 270 delivers plenty of traction on the turf thanks to the rubber ridges and bumps on the sole of the shoe. I felt pretty stable in damp conditions and that also adds to the versatility of the shoe, which we felt could be worn in almost any situation, from the course to the shops.
- Read our full Nike Air Max 270 G Golf Shoes Review
Best cushioning
Another ideal model for the driving range, and just about anywhere else is the Street 720 shoe from Ecco. I think Ecco has done the right thing by eliminating almost all the branding and keeping it subtle. They aren't dull shoes however, because there are some nice little design touches which give a modern look.
I then have to mention the comfort here. These performed outstandingly well in this regard, especially in terms of cushioning. Compared to other Ecco shoes, and other shoes in this area of the market, the 720's felt as if they had a lot more cushioning where needed. Ecco's FLUIDFORM technology has been used here to deliver fabulous levels of comfort that I felt almost immediately once I tried them on. The comfort isn't just felt on the course as these shoes proved to be one of the comfiest street shoes I've worn.
This ten out of ten comfort is combined with a fully waterproof upper, thanks to the GORE-TEX SURROUND, a really valuable feature that not all casual golf shoes have. It is worth saying these aren't the most grippy golf shoes on the course but they still perform very well for a spikeless shoe.
- Read our full Ecco Street 720 Golf Shoe Review
Best sneaker
I absolutely love these shoes because my testing showed them to be a worthy addition to this guide thanks to the blend of comfort and retro looks. I like how they barely look like golf shoes at all, rather offering a more casual design.
Comfort was top-notch thanks to the underfoot cushioning as well as the hidden Zoom Air unit towards the heel. Admittedly it gave a springy feeling when walking but it does make you feel slightly higher than other golf shoes so this does take a bit of time to get used to.
The grip was solid thanks to the rubber traction outsole and it will perform well in damp conditions but for proper deluges we would recommend a spiked shoe instead. Additionally, while synthetic leather overlays give the shoes full waterproof protection, we would recommend spraying some protector on the suede areas before you start using them.
- Read our full Nike Air Pegasus '89 Golf Shoe Review
Best unique design
The G.112 golf shoes from G/FORE are a versatile and comfortable model that offer up superb aesthetics as well as plenty of performance. Having put these to the test on the golf course, I really enjoyed what this package delivered with the G.112's being some of the best casual golf shoes on the market. Similar to many of the best G/FORE golf shoes they boast a unique design that sets them apart from many of the other fantastic options on this list. The spongey midsole pairs nicely with the leather upper to deliver a great looking shoe.
The shoe's outsole also offers plenty of traction in damp and dry ground. We think it'd be a great sneaker to wear in the summer, with the internal mesh lining offering up plenty of ventilation. And don't worry if you do get caught in the rain either! This shoe is 100% waterproof, akin to many of the best waterproof golf shoes in the game right now.
Lastly, the comfort on offer is worth highlighting. The interior is cushioned and feels superb, whilst the built-in mesh lining on this shoe also means they offer plenty of ventilation, making the G.112's a great option to wear during the summer months.
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Read our full G/FORE G.112 Golf Shoes Review
How we test
Our golf shoe testing methodology revolves around putting models to the test over a number of rounds and in different conditions. This is so we can gain a better idea of overall performance in terms of factors like grip comfort, grip, stability, waterproofing, and how they actually look on the golf course. This is the best way of testing a golf shoe as using it in the real world over a number of weeks allows us to see how they perform when variables change like weather, ground conditions, different stances and lies, and so on. We think this also gives us information on the little details as well like which brands come up small or large, which models start to rub a bit too much after 36 holes, and which designs can be used off the golf course and for the drive home.
Specifically for testing, shoe guru Dan Parker oversees all golf shoe testing and has amassed quite the collection of models! Dan has been testing golf shoes and other golf gear for years and has become an expert in the field.
As a team we are very comprehensive in our tests to the point where we will regularly attend product launches and meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to understand the new technology. That isn't to say manufacturers can buy a good review though, as all our reviews are made by golfers, for golfers.
How to choose golf shoes
There is a lot to consider when purchasing your next pair of spikeless golf shoes. Modern golf shoes feature a ton of technology that can make picking the right golf shoe for you a difficult decision. But that's why we're here to help.
Comfort
As you would expect, comfort is king when it comes to golf shoes because if a golf shoe is uncomfortable, then this can compromise your performance, cause you pain, and you won't want to use them again. Whereas if golf shoes are comfortable, your feet will feel better and you can focus on your golf shots.
Some models have specific design features which are all about comfort, such as foam technology, but what is comfortable to one golfer, may not be to another, sow we always recommend trying on several models and walking around in them to gauge how your feet feel in them.
Grip/Stability/Traction
Spikeless shoes are a lot better in the grip department these days. That being said if you view grip and stability as one of the most important factors we would always recommend a spiked golf shoe because the performance is usually outstanding in models like the adidas Tour 360 or Under Armour Drive Pro Golf Shoe.
But as we mentioned, many of the models we picked above are spikeless shoes that actually give good grip as well because most of them have specifically designed traction patterns and lugs to make sure your feet don't slip.
Looks
Looks is a subjective point and as such we always recommend doing a bit of research to see which shoes you like the look of. There are models for all types of fashion sense right now, ranging from the traditional, to the modern, sporty designs that stand out a bit more.
Waterproofing
Most golf shoes these days offer a degree of waterproof protection but some are better than others so if you see yourself playing in the rain, be sure to check out some of the models featured in our best waterproof golf shoes guide.
Sizes
One thing we always try and make clear to people is some brands have slightly different golf shoe size charts. For example shoes from brands like Payntr and Nike can come up small, large, wide or narrow, which just shows how important it is to look at size charts, and try shoes on to see how they fit.
Price
The last factor to consider is price. With the models selected above, we have included shoes at different price points to suit any budget. Therefore have a think about how much you want to spend, and then choose accordingly.
While there are some fantastic spikeless golf shoes on the market, you should also check out some of our other guides on the best golf shoes for walking, best golf shoes for seniors, and our guide to the best spiked golf shoes.
FAQs
What should you not wear to the driving range?
Avoid wearing sandals or suit shoes to the driving range. Both of these types of shoes will offer little to no grip while also not supporting your ankle through the golf swing.
What shoes do you wear to the driving range?
Any sporty style sneaker or trainer is appropriate. However, as we have outlined here, wearing a spikeless, casual golf shoe is a great option for the driving range as it gives you a solid amount of grip and plenty of ankle and foot support throughout the swing. While sneakers and trainers work fine, they are not built specially like golf shoe to support your feet through the swing.
Can I wear headphones at the driving range?
Yes you can wear headphones to the driving range and they are a particularly good way to stay focused if you're practicing in a particularly noisey area of the range.
