The best golf shoes for common foot problems

Golf might not look like the most demanding sport from afar, but ask anyone who’s walked 18 holes, and they’ll tell you a different story about foot pain. You’re on your feet for hours on end, on uneven ground, repeating the same twisting motion round after round.

That’s a lot to ask of feet that already may be dealing with a foot condition, whether that’s something as common as flat feet or something more specific, like plantar fasciitis or Morton’s neuroma.

The right golf shoe won’t fix an underlying condition on its own, and if you’re managing ongoing pain, it’s always worth having a chat with a podiatrist or GP about what’s going on. But the right combination of fit, support and cushioning can make a genuine difference to your comfort.

Here’s our guide to the best golf shoes for some of the most common foot problems golfers face.

Golf shoes for wide feet 

If your feet are wider than average, a standard-fit golf shoe can leave you dealing with pinching, rubbing and blisters, regardless of how supportive the shoe is.

Wide fit golf shoes are built on a broader last, giving your toes and the ball of your foot the extra room they need, without you having to size up and lose out on heel support elsewhere.

Our dedicated wide fit golf shoes collection is stocked with wide and extra-wide options from brands like FootJoy, so you can find a proper fit without compromising on style, waterproofing or performance.  

Golf shoes for plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis, the straining or irritation of the band of tissue running along the base of your foot, is a common complaint among golfers who spend hours walking the course.

Shoes with strong arch support, generous cushioning and a stable heel counter can help take some of the strain off the plantar fascia with every step, while a roomier fit avoids adding extra pressure to an already sensitive area.

We’ve put together a full breakdown of the best options – including specific models and the technology behind them – in our guide on the best golf shoes for plantar fasciitis, so if this is affecting your game, that’s a great place to start. 

Golf shoes for flat feet

Flat feet, where the arch sits low or disappears entirely under load, can throw off your natural gait and put extra strain on your ankles and knees as you walk the course. 

Look for golf shoes with built-in arch support or structured midsoles that help guide your foot through a more natural stride, rather than letting it roll inward unchecked.

Brands like New Balance have built their reputation on precisely this kind of structured support, drawing on decades of running shoe technology to build golf shoes that keep your foot properly aligned from tee to green.

Golf shoes for high arches

At the other end of the scale, high arches often mean your foot doesn’t absorb shock as naturally as it should, which can leave you feeling every step through your heels and the balls of your feet.

Extra cushioning is your friend here, particularly shoes with soft, shock-absorbing midsoles that do the job your arch can’t. 

The FootJoy Hyperflex range is a strong option, built around dual-density cushioning designed to soften impact without feeling mushy or unstable underfoot, so you get comfort without losing your connection to the ground.

Golf shoes for bunions

A bunion, where the joint at the base of your big toe becomes enlarged and pushes outward, can make even a well-fitting golf shoe feel unbearably tight around the toe box.

Wide fit golf shoes are well worth considering here, too, giving that bony joint the breathing room it needs, while a soft, flexible upper avoids rubbing against the affected area.

Shoes with Boa fastening can help as well, letting you fine-tune the fit across the rest of the shoe without needing to tighten laces directly over a sensitive bunion.

Golf shoes for overpronation

Overpronation, where your foot rolls inward excessively as you walk, is common among golfers and can lead to knee, hip and lower back discomfort if left unaddressed by the right footwear.

Stability shoes with a firmer midsole along the inner edge help guide your foot into a straighter position with every step, reducing that inward roll.

The New Balance 997 is a great example, built with the kind of structured support more commonly associated with running shoes, translated into a golf-specific design that keeps you properly aligned during your swing and your walk.

Golf shoes for diabetics

Diabetes can affect circulation and sensation in the feet, which makes protecting them properly on the golf course particularly important, since minor rubbing or pressure points can go unnoticed until they become a bigger problem.

Look for golf shoes with soft, seamless interiors, roomy toe boxes and breathable uppers that help manage moisture and reduce the risk of irritation. A wide fit and a secure, adjustable fastening also help you achieve a snug fit without tight pressure points anywhere on the foot.

Our wide fit golf shoes range is a sensible starting point, though it’s always worth checking in with a podiatrist about your specific footcare needs before choosing a new pair of shoes.

Golf shoes for Achilles tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis, inflammation of the tendon connecting your calf muscle to your heel, can make every step uncomfortable, particularly on uneven ground.

A slightly raised heel can help reduce tension on the tendon by shortening its range of motion, while a cushioned, supportive heel counter keeps your foot stable and helps prevent movement that could aggravate the area further.

Our golf boots collection, with its supportive ankle coverage and structured heel design, is worth exploring here, offering more built-in stability than a standard low-cut golf shoe.

Golf shoes for arthritis

Arthritis can make even simple tasks like tying laces or bending down to adjust your fit genuinely painful, on top of the joint discomfort it causes as you walk the course.

Boa fastening systems are a sensational solution here, letting you achieve a snug, secure fit with a simple twist of a dial, rather than fiddling with laces. Combined with a soft, flexible upper and plenty of cushioning underfoot, they can make a real difference to your overall comfort.

Our Boa golf shoes collection includes options from Ecco, adidas and more, all designed to make getting your shoes on, and keeping them comfortable all round, that much easier.

Golf shoes for Morton’s neuroma

Morton’s neuroma, a painful thickening of tissue between the toes, is often aggravated by tight, narrow footwear that compresses the forefoot with every step.

A wide toe box is essential here, giving your toes the room they need to spread naturally, while a spikeless sole can help distribute pressure more evenly across the forefoot rather than concentrating it at specific points.

Our wide fit golf shoes and spikeless golf shoes collections are both worth browsing if this is a condition you’re managing.

Golf shoes for heel pain

General heel pain, whether from bruising, fat pad atrophy or general overuse, calls for serious cushioning underfoot, particularly around the heel strike zone.

Look for golf shoes with memory foam insoles or dedicated heel cushioning technology that absorbs impact before it reaches your heel.

The Skechers Go Golf range leans heavily on this kind of cushioning, borrowing memory foam technology from Skechers’ famous comfort trainers to help take the sting out of every step. 

Golf shoes for hammer toes

Hammer toes, where one or more toes curl downward at the middle joint, need a deep, wide toe box that doesn’t force the toes into an unnaturally flat position.

Soft, flexible uppers matter more than ever here, since a rigid or narrow toe box can rub uncomfortable against the raised joints.

Our wide fit golf shoes collection, alongside soft leather options from Ecco, offers the kind of room and flexibility that makes a real difference for hammer toes.

Golf shoes for bad knees

If your knees are giving you trouble, the priority is reducing the impact travelling up through your legs with every step you take across the golf course.

Lightweight, well-cushioned golf shoes help absorb that shock before it reaches your knees, while a spikeless sole allows for a slightly softer, more natural stride than traditional metal spikes.

The Nike Air Max range, with its visible cushioned air unit in the heel, is designed with exactly this kind of shock absorption in mind, while our spikeless golf shoes collection offers plenty of other lightweight, joint-friendly options. 

Find the right golf shoes for your feet at GolfShoes.co.uk

Whatever you’re dealing with, the right pair of golf shoes can really make a difference to how you feel on the course. From wide fit and Boa fastening to extra cushioning and structured support, our full range of men’s and women’s golf shoes is built to help you find comfortable golf shoes that offer a supportive fit, whatever your feet need. Whether you prefer spiked shoes, spikeless shoes, something traditional or something trendy, we've got plenty of proper golf shoes to complement your golf swing and offer all the comfort you need.

Browse our full collection today, or get in touch with the GolfShoes.co.uk team if you’d like a hand finding the right pair for you.