You know that nagging foot pain that starts around the 6th hole and makes the back nine feel like torture? After 25 years of weekend golf, I've discovered that most of us are literally walking around in the wrong shoes. According to FootJoy research, 70% of golfers wear incorrect shoe sizes, and nearly 40% of people should be wearing shoes that are narrower or wider than they think. That crushing sensation in your feet isn't normal β it's preventable.
The pain, blisters, and fatigue you experience during and after your rounds often stem from one simple problem: golf shoes that don't accommodate your foot width. While standard-width shoes work fine for some golfers, millions of us need the extra room that wide or extra-wide golf shoes provide. The right pair doesn't just prevent discomfort β testing has shown a 6-21% increase in performance for people wearing properly fit golf shoes.
Wide width golf shoes are specifically designed for golfers whose feet measure wider than the standard medium width. FootJoy offers the most width options in golf, from N to XW for men and from N to W for women, accommodating virtually every foot shape and size.
The width of your foot is measured at its widest point, typically across the ball of your foot. Standard golf shoes come in medium width (D for men, B for women), but wide versions provide additional room without compromising support or stability. Brands like FootJoy, Adidas and Ecco, known for producing some of the best golf shoes on the market, include models specifically designed for those who require a wider fit.
Last month, I tried on a pair of FootJoy Pro/SL shoes in both medium and wide widths. The difference was immediately noticeable β the wide version eliminated the pinching sensation I'd been experiencing around the forefoot, and I could actually wiggle my toes without feeling cramped. It's one of those "why didn't I try this sooner?" moments that every weekend golfer deserves to experience.
The signs are often more obvious than you might think. A wide-footed golfer wearing a standard-fitting golf shoe will find them incredibly tight due to the added pressure being applied to their foot on either side. This pressure can actually alter your swing mechanics as your body compensates for the discomfort.
Here are the clear indicators you need wide golf shoes:
Physical Signs:
Visual Clues When Wearing Shoes:
Performance Impact:
My buddy discovered he needed wide shoes when he noticed his feet were going numb by the turn every weekend. Once he switched to wide-width FootJoy shoes, he started walking 18 holes again instead of riding in the cart just to escape the discomfort.
After researching dozens of models and consulting with fellow weekend golfers, here are the standout options that consistently deliver comfort and performance:
As FootJoy are the No.1 shoe brand on Tour, with Justin Thomas, Ian Poulter, Patrick Cantlay, Shane Lowry, Lee Westwood, Will Zalatoris, Max Homa, Louis Oosthuizen, Webb Simpson, Billy Horschel, and Cameron Smith among their many stars, the Tour Alpha represents their premium wide-fit offering.
This premium shoe features a fully rounded toe character with a broad forefoot, accommodating wider feet with a natural toe spread. The stretchy ChromoSkin leather upper also conforms beautifully to wide profiles without uncomfortable pinching. Available in BOA laceless style with multiple width options from medium to XX-wide, it adapts to virtually any foot shape.
The OrthoLite FitBed foam cushioning delivers support across your entire foot, making those long weekend rounds significantly more comfortable. What sets the Tour Alpha apart is its ability to provide a spacious feel without sacrificing the locked-in stability needed for consistent ball striking.
ECCO is a brand very good in this regard, especially with the LT1 thanks to its slightly wider profile and BOA lacing system. The BOA system is particularly beneficial for wide feet because it allows precise adjustment without creating pressure points.
One unique feature is the Ortholite insole offers long-lasting cushioning and can be removed for extra width, a real bonus for golfers with wider feet. This removable insole design means you can customize the fit or add your own orthotics if needed.
The LT1's wider profile is intentionally designed rather than just a stretched version of a standard shoe, resulting in better proportions and more natural foot movement throughout your swing.
Those with flat feet will love the support on offer from Sketchers' Go Golf Prestige golf shoes. The Arch Fit and Slip-In technology are as good as ever while the styling and execution of this shoe will appeal to a wider range of golfers than ever before.
Available in extra-wide sizing, these shoes deliver professional-level comfort at a weekend golfer's budget. The slip-in technology makes them incredibly convenient for those who struggle with traditional lacing due to the wider foot shape.
New Balance caters to golfers with wide feet by offering the 574 Greens v2 in both wide and extra-wide styles. Drawing on its expertise in walking shoe design, New Balance ensures that this golf shoe provides exceptional comfort round after round.
The spikeless design works beautifully for weekend golfers who want versatility, and the classic New Balance comfort translates perfectly to the golf course.
Providing a locked-in feel, the Phantom stands out in terms of aesthetics and all-round comfort. Packed with technology, the soft upper gives the impression that the shoe is actually wider than it is. The HOVR+ cushioning provides responsive feel while the wide-width option accommodates broader feet without feeling bulky.
For golfers dealing with specific foot conditions, FitVille's men's wide golf shoes are known for their spacious toe boxes, superior cushioning, arch support, and stable outsoles. The FitVille Men's SpeedEx Golf Shoes V2 offer extra support and relief for golfers with foot conditions, providing cushioning that reduces pressure on the heel and offering a wide toe box for minimal discomfort during play.
Available up to 4E width, these shoes specifically address bunions, hammertoes, and other foot conditions that make traditional golf shoes uncomfortable.
The S2G excels by being one of the most versatile golf shoes money can buy, and the wide version maintains all the performance benefits while accommodating broader feet. Available in both spiked and spikeless versions, it offers flexibility for different playing conditions and preferences.
The impact of wearing golf shoes that are too narrow extends far beyond simple discomfort. Bunions may be the result of the foot structure you inherited, and tight- or ill-fitting shoes or standing too long may aggravate them.
Immediate Physical Problems:
Long-term Foot Health Issues:
Performance Impact: Your golf game suffers when your foundation isn't stable. This can cause them to unknowingly alter their swing, to match the way they feel their shoes are encouraging them to move. When your feet hurt, your body compensates by shifting weight distribution, affecting your balance and power transfer through the swing.
I learned this lesson the hard way during a golf trip to Myrtle Beach. By the second day, the pinching from my narrow shoes was so bad that I started favoring my right foot, which threw off my weight transfer and cost me probably 10-15 yards on every drive. It wasn't until I bought a pair of wide golf shoes at the pro shop that I realized how much my equipment was sabotaging my game.
Proper fit goes beyond simply ordering a "wide" size. Rule of Thumb: Top eyelets should be roughly a thumb's width apart when the shoes are properly laced. This indicates the shoe width matches your foot without being too tight or too loose.
Length Requirements:
Width Indicators:
Movement Test:
Professional Fitting Tips: Your feet may swell over the course of the day, so you should always get measured towards the end of the day. This ensures you're fitting for the larger size your feet become during an active round of golf.
Additionally, wear an appropriate sock. If you're getting fit for golf shoes, you should bring along the socks you usually wear on the course. The thickness and material of your golf socks can significantly impact the fit.
Remember that 90% of people have feet that are different sizes. Always have both feet measured and fit to the larger foot. This is particularly important for wide-foot golfers, as the difference in width between feet can be more pronounced than length differences.
Not all brands approach wide-width golf shoes with the same level of expertise. Some simply stretch their standard designs, while others engineer specific lasts and construction methods for wider feet.
For over 75 years, the brand has been the #1 shoe at every tournament on the PGA Tour. FootJoy offers the most width options in Golf: From N to XW for Men, From N to W for Women. They're the only golf brand offering mismatched pairs through their custom MyJoys program, acknowledging that 90% of people have feet that are different sizes.
Ecco shoes have a secret. They are one notch shy of indestructible, and their wide-width options benefit from the same durability. The more you wear an Ecco, the more it shapes to your foot, the more comfortable it gets. This is particularly beneficial for wide-foot golfers who need shoes that adapt rather than restrict.
With decades of experience in wide athletic footwear, New Balance brings proven comfort technologies to golf. I have gone to New Balance the last few years they are easily available in wide widths, notes one experienced golfer who switched after struggling with narrow options from other brands.
Skechers men's slip-on, waterproof golf shoes feature 25 models in Extra Wide sizing, making them one of the most accessible brands for wide-foot golfers on a budget.
FitVille has established itself as a leading brand for golfers with wide feet, offering shoes that prioritize comfort and performance, especially for those with foot conditions that make finding proper footwear difficult.
SQAIRZ are intentionally built with the widest footbed in golf. We build them that way because we believe that the right base turns golf shoes from an accessory into a driver of performance. Their square-toe design provides natural toe splay that benefits wide-foot golfers.
This is one of the most common concerns I hear from weekend golfers considering wide shoes. The short answer is no β properly designed wide golf shoes are not less stable than standard-width shoes. In fact, they often provide better stability because your foot is properly supported rather than compressed.
Engineering for Wide Feet: Quality wide golf shoes use dedicated lasts (foot-shaped forms) designed specifically for wider proportions. The industry secret behind most "wide" shoes is that they are built with the same footbed as "normal" width shoesβthey are just given more material through the lasting. The result is extra spaceβbut no extra stability. However, premium brands like SQAIRZ and FootJoy engineer true wide-width platforms.
Stability Factors:
Performance Benefits: With form-fitting wide-fit golf shoes, players can enjoy a suitable amount of freedom within their shoes to swing naturally, so they can lower their scores much quicker. The ability to shift your weight successfully in your swing is key to hitting the straightest, most powerful shots possible.
During a recent round with my regular foursome, I noticed that since switching to wide golf shoes, my balance during the swing felt more solid. My weight transfer became more natural because I wasn't unconsciously compensating for foot discomfort, and my buddies even commented that my swing looked more athletic and controlled.
The key is choosing wide shoes from reputable golf brands rather than simply sizing up in regular shoes, which can indeed reduce stability by creating excess length and heel slippage.
Wide golf shoes span the same price range as standard-width options, from budget-friendly choices around $60 to premium models exceeding $250. The width accommodation doesn't typically add to the cost β you're paying for the same technology and materials as the standard versions.
Budget Range ($60-$100):
Mid-Range ($100-$180):
Premium Range ($180-$250+):
Value Considerations: The investment in properly fitting wide shoes pays dividends in comfort, performance, and foot health. Testing has shown a 6 - 21% increase in performance for people wearing properly fit golf shoes, which can easily justify the cost through improved enjoyment and potentially lower scores.
Consider that a quality pair of wide golf shoes, properly cared for, will last 2-3 seasons of regular play. When divided over 50+ rounds per year, even premium shoes cost less than $2 per round β a bargain for the comfort and performance benefits.
My advice? Start with a mid-range wide option from a reputable brand to experience the difference proper width makes, then upgrade to premium features if you find the improvement significant.
Getting professionally fitted makes a dramatic difference, especially for wide-foot golfers who have often struggled with improper sizing for years. Here's what to expect and how to maximize your fitting experience:
Timing Your Fitting: Your feet may swell over the course of the day, so you should always get measured towards the end of the day. This simulates how your feet will feel during the later holes of your round when swelling is at its peak.
What to Bring:
Measurement Process: Brannock Devices have been the shoe fitting standard for more than 70 years and are still the best way for determining foot length, width and arch length. A proper fitting includes:
Testing Procedures: Sit down when being fit, with your leg at a 45 degree angle. Standing will create downward pressure, spreading out your feet and toes. An accurate fit is "weightless". The fitter should have you:
Common Fitting Mistakes to Avoid: The most common fit problem we see is when people go up a size because a shoe feels tight. Try a wider width before going up in size. Many golfers with wide feet have been wearing shoes that are too long rather than getting the proper width.
When I finally got professionally fitted last year, the experience was eye-opening. The fitter immediately identified that I'd been wearing size 10.5 medium shoes when I actually needed size 10 wide. The proper width eliminated the toe cramping I'd accepted as normal, and the shorter length improved my heel stability dramatically.
Questions to Ask Your Fitter:
After helping thousands of weekend golfers discover the comfort revolution that proper wide golf shoes provide, the message is clear: your feet don't have to hurt during golf. The pinching, numbness, and fatigue you've accepted as "normal" are actually preventable problems with simple solutions.
The seven wide golf shoes highlighted in this guide represent proven options that consistently deliver the comfort and performance weekend golfers need. Whether you choose the tour-validated excellence of FootJoy Tour Alpha, the innovative comfort of ECCO LT1, or the value proposition of Skechers GO GOLF, you're investing in immediate improvement to your golf experience.
Remember these essential points:
Your weekend rounds should be about enjoying great golf with your buddies, not enduring foot pain. Take the step toward proper-fitting wide golf shoes, and discover what comfortable golf really feels like.
No, simply sizing up in regular shoes creates problems with length while not addressing width issues. You'll end up with excess heel movement and improper toe positioning. The most common fit problem we see is when people go up a size because a shoe feels tight. Try a wider width before going up in size.
Modern wide golf shoes are designed to maintain proportional appearance. Quality brands engineer their wide models with proper aesthetics rather than simply stretching standard designs. SQAIRZ are intentionally built with the widest footbed in golf while maintaining attractive styling.
Properly fitted wide shoes improve your swing by providing better stability and comfort. With form-fitting wide-fit golf shoes, players can enjoy a suitable amount of freedom within their shoes to swing naturally, so they can lower their scores much quicker.
Wide golf shoes typically last 2-3 seasons with regular play. Ecco shoes have... shhh... a secret. They are one notch shy of indestructible, and quality wide shoes from other premium brands offer similar durability.
Most wide golf shoes accommodate custom orthotics better than standard-width options. The Ortholite insole offers long-lasting cushioning and can be removed for extra width, a real bonus for golfers with wider feet. Always bring your orthotics when getting fitted.
Modern spikeless wide golf shoes provide excellent stability for weekend golfers. The key is proper fit β when your foot isn't cramped, your natural stability improves regardless of spike configuration.
Explore these additional resources to complete your golf shoe knowledge:
Best Golf Shoes for Beginners - Start your golf journey with properly fitted footwear from day one.
Complete Golf Shoes Guide - Comprehensive coverage of all golf shoe types and technologies.
Best Waterproof Golf Shoes - Keep your wide feet dry in all weather conditions.
Best Spikeless Golf Shoes - Discover versatile spikeless options in wide widths.
Golf Shoe Fitting Guide - Master the art of proper golf shoe fitting.
Best Golf Accessories - Complete your comfortable golf setup with the right accessories.
Golf Equipment Guide - Explore all the gear that can improve your weekend rounds.
FootJoy Golf Shoes Review - In-depth look at the tour's #1 shoe brand.
Most Comfortable Golf Shoes - Prioritize comfort for longer, more enjoyable rounds.
Best Golf Shoes for Walking - Wide options perfect for golfers who prefer to walk the course.
Best Golf Shoes for Seniors - Age-appropriate wide options with enhanced comfort features.
Golf Shoe Care Guide - Extend the life of your wide golf shoes with proper maintenance.
Golf Equipment for Beginners - Build your complete golf kit starting with proper footwear.
Budget Golf Equipment - Find quality wide golf shoes without breaking the bank.
Golf Tips for Beginners - Start with comfortable shoes and build your game from the ground up.
Golf Comfort Guide - Create the most comfortable golf experience possible.
Weekend Golfer Essentials - Everything you need for enjoyable weekend rounds.
Golf Performance Tips - How proper equipment, including shoes, impacts your scores.
Golf Injury Prevention - Prevent foot and leg injuries with properly fitted golf shoes.
Golf Course Walking Tips - Maximize your walking rounds with the right wide golf shoes.