How to Clean and Care for Golf Shoes So They Last

Golf Shoe Care: The Short Answer

Golf shoes are an investment, and simple care makes them last for years. Clean off mud after every round before it dries, dry them naturally away from direct heat, and reproof the waterproofing when water stops beading off. Keep spiked shoes freshly cleated and store them somewhere cool and dry. Do this and your shoes keep their grip, comfort, and waterproofing far longer than shoes that get thrown in the boot and forgotten.

Below is exactly how to look after your golf shoes. If you are shopping for a new pair, see our guide to the best golf shoes and browse the shoes we stock.

Why Golf Shoe Care Pays Off

Golf shoes take a beating: wet grass, mud, and miles of walking every round. Neglect them and the waterproofing fails, the materials crack, and the grip wears smooth, leaving you with cold, wet feet and no traction. A few minutes of care after each round protects the three things you paid for: dryness, comfort, and grip. Given how much a good pair costs, looking after them is easily worth the small effort.

How to Clean Golf Shoes After a Round

The key is to clean them before the mud dries and sets. A quick routine after each round keeps them in good shape.

• Knock off loose mud: tap the soles together outside and brush the worst off the uppers and sole.
• Wipe with a damp cloth: use a soft, damp cloth or brush and, if needed, a little mild soapy water to clean the uppers. Avoid harsh detergents that can damage leather and membranes.
• Clean the sole and spikes: clear mud and grass from between the lugs or around the cleats with a soft brush, so they grip properly next time.
• Wipe dry: finish with a dry cloth before setting them to dry properly.

How Should You Dry Golf Shoes?

This is where most golf shoes are ruined. Never dry them on a radiator, in front of a fire, or with a hairdryer. Direct heat cracks leather, warps soles, and degrades the waterproof membrane, undoing exactly the protection you want to keep. Instead, dry them naturally at room temperature, away from heat sources.

• Stuff them with newspaper: to absorb moisture from inside and help them hold their shape as they dry.
• Remove the insoles: so both the insole and the inside of the shoe dry fully.
• Loosen the laces and open them up: to let air circulate.

Let them dry slowly and completely before the next round or before storing them.

How to Keep Golf Shoes Waterproof

Waterproofing is not permanent, and it wears with use and washing. When you notice water no longer beading on the uppers and starting to soak in, it is time to reproof. Use a spray or wash-in waterproofing product suited to the shoe material, applied to clean, dry shoes, following the product instructions. This restores the water-repellent surface and extends the life of the waterproofing considerably. Doing this once or twice a season keeps British weather where it belongs, on the outside.

Looking After the Spikes and Soles

Grip depends on the soles and spikes being in good condition. On spiked shoes, replaceable soft spikes wear down over time and become slippery, so check them regularly and replace worn cleats, which is cheap and quick. On spikeless shoes, clean the lugs so they grip and keep an eye on wear, since worn-smooth lugs lose traction. Fresh spikes and clean soles are the difference between confident footing and slipping through your swing on a wet slope.

How Should You Store Golf Shoes?

Storage matters as much as cleaning. Keep golf shoes somewhere cool and dry, never left damp in a hot car boot where heat and moisture degrade the materials and breed odour. A shoe bag protects them in your golf bag and keeps mud off your other kit. Use a shoe tree or the newspaper trick to hold their shape between rounds. Clean, dry, and well stored, a good pair of golf shoes stays comfortable and waterproof for many seasons.

The Fayrway Take

Golf shoes reward a little care with years of dry, comfortable, grippy golf. Clean off mud after every round, dry them naturally and never on a radiator, reproof the uppers when water stops beading, and keep the spikes fresh. It takes minutes and protects a real investment. If your current pair is past saving, see our guide to the best golf shoes and browse the shoes we rate.