How to Clean Golf Shoes?

One of the best things you can buy to boost your golf game is a good pair of golf shoes (click here for the top 10). They improve comfort, support, and stability, making every minute on the course more enjoyable. But playing a round of golf can get them dirty pretty quickly and chances are you spent a decent amount of money on your pair of leather or synthetic golf shoes.

That’s why it’s a good idea to clean them regularly. By properly cleaning your golf shoes, you can maximize their performance while extending the life of your shoes.

How to Clean Your Golf Shoes After Playing a Round?

The easiest way to maintain your golf shoes and ensure they last as long as possible is to clean them after every round you play. While this might seem a bit tedious, it will only take few minutes to do and will add considerable mileage to the life of your shoes. The first thing to do is prep your shoes by removing the laces and taking out the insole if it’s not glued into your shoe. Then it’s time to clean the uppers of your golf shoe.

Use a shoe cleaner or mild soap and water to clean your leather or synthetic shoes, removing any dirt, grass, and residue. For white leather, you can use a white shoe cleaner to get rid of unsightly scuff marks while dark leather shoes can be cleaned with a shoe cleaner and a shoe cream of the same color to ensure that it is properly conditioned. Once clean, simply allow your shoes to air dry at room temperature.

If you own a pair of mesh shoes, add a small amount of liquid dish soap or laundry detergent to warm water and let your shoes soak in the mixture. Then use a soft brush of cloth to scrub the mesh, removing any residue and dirt. Next, blot the mesh with a cloth dipped in cold water to get rid of any soap residue. Then simply let your shoes air dry indoors or in an area without direct sunlight.

Next, move onto the outsoles of your shoes. Check to make sure that all of the cleats are tightened and undamaged. Then use a damp cloth to remove any dirt or debris from the outsoles. One thing to consider is if your shoes are soaked from playing in the rain or in very damp grass. In this case, clean them immediately and then simply put some crumpled newspaper inside of them for 8 to 10 hours to help absorb all of the water.

Then simply put your shoes on a pair of shoe trees, preferably made of cedar, in order to maintain their shape and absorb any remaining odor and moisture. An important thing to remember is that excessive heat or direct sunlight can damage the uppers and outsoles of your shoes, breaking down the materials and reducing their lifespan. This is why you should let them air dry in a dry, shaded place and avoid direct heat or sunlight.

How to Waterproof Golf Shoes?

If you are planning on golfing in the early morning or in poor weather conditions, you want to make sure that your feet and shoes are protected from excessive water. Thankfully, many shoes today are designed to be water-resistant or, even better, come backed by 0, 1, or 2 year waterproof guarantees. This kind of shoe is perfect since they are breathable but ensure that your feet remain warm and dry, even in damp conditions.

But if your shoe isn’t waterproof or you simply want to give it an extra layer of waterproof protection, there are some terrific products on the market, designed specifically to give your shoes a waterproof seal. One great product is Nikwax.

This water-repellent elastomer is based on EVA, the same material found in many of the flexible soles you’ll find on the market today.  The polymer is elastic, resilient, and can be used to coat fabric and leather materials, making the shoes water-repellent while still allowing them to be flexible and breathable.

The good thing about Nikwax compared to other similar products on the market is that the polymer is fairly durable, allowing it to withstand several washings before you need to reapply it. This is a major time-saver compared to other products that need to be reapplied after every wash.

What are Soft Spike Golf Shoes?

For years, when you wanted good grip and traction in a golf shoe, your only option was metal spikes. These spikes delivered great traction, even on wet grass. But the downside to metal spikes is that they’re notorious for tearing up fairways and greens. That’s why plastic spikes are the most popular style of golf spike today.

Soft plastic spikes are lighter and much less likely to destroy the green compared to their metal counterparts since the greater width of the soft spikes spread the golfer’s weight across a larger area. Soft spikes are perfect for tough summer weather since they don’t weigh you down as much while delivering the same or more traction that traditional metal spikes.

Plus, they’re more comfortable to walk on since the spikes are more flexible. Best of all, with the right tool, soft plastic spikes are very easy to swap out. All of the reasons explain why you’ll find the soft spike on a majority of the new golf shoes released each year.

How to Replace Soft Spikes on Golf Shoes?

So you’re thinking about buying a pair of soft-spiked golf shoes but are wondering what’s involved when it’s time to replace the plastic spikes. The downside to soft spikes is that they’re more prone to wear and damage compared to traditional metal spikes. And if you want to maintain proper traction and increase the life of your shoe, you’ll need to replace spikes at the first sign of breakage or wear.

Luckily, they’re so easy to remove that you can replace your worn out plastic spikes in just a few minutes. Spikes need to be replaced as soon as one breaks off or if most of them show a decent amount of wear. Even one missing spike will cause you to be imbalanced, lose traction, and will have a negative impact on your game. The first thing you need to do is purchase a golf spike wrench or divot tool.

They’re normally sold with replacement spikes though you can also purchase one of these tools separately. You should also have a pair of pliers, a soft-bristled brush, and a hand towel. The first thing that you need to do is wet the brush and scrub the bottom of your shoe to remove any dirt or debris. Then dry the soles with your hand towel, making sure that there is no dirt left on the outsole.

Then put the wrench or divot tool on a spike and turn it in a counter-clockwise direction. While most spikes will twist off easily, some spikes can be rather stubborn. Thankfully, most wrenches have a durable handle grip that allows you to apply the right amount of force. Once loosened, use your pliers to remove the spike from the bottom of the sole. Use a brush to get any dirt out from within the spike chamber, dry the chamber, and then insert your replacement spike.

Put each spike in by hand, one by one. Then use the wrench or divot tool to tighten the spike into place. While golf shoes are invaluable when it comes to delivering optimum comfort and improving your game, you need to maintain your shoe if you truly want to reap all the benefits your shoe has to offer. By cleaning your golf shoes regularly and replacing the spikes of your shoe at the first sign of damage or wear, your shoes will deliver great performance for years.