No brand returning to golf better symbolises the rise of casual golf shoes quite like New Balance. Known primarily for its street sneakers and shoes from other sports like running, football and tennis, the brand has now been making golf shoes for a couple of years. Its latest offering, the 480 SL, blends a classic silhouette with a golf-specific outsole that is aiming to be one of the best spikeless shoes of 2025.
It's worth noting that shoes like this, which are a street sneaker style taken to golf, are purpose-built golf shoes, and not just a street shoe with a golf outsole slapped onto the bottom. I could tell this straight away with the 480 SL, especially with how impressive the outsole is. It uses multiple different-sized and shaped nubs to offer traction laterally during the swing and plenty of grip while you're walking.
