Golf shoe care: How to keep your shoes in top shape for a long time

Golf shoes are more than just a stylish accessory on the green; they are a crucial part of your equipment. They offer stability during the swing, guarantee grip on different terrains and contribute significantly to your comfort over many hours. But precisely because they have to perform so well on the golf course - exposed to dirt, moisture and intensive wear and tear - proper golf shoe care is essential. If you look after your shoes regularly and correctly, you will not only extend their lifespan considerably, but also maintain their functionality and flawless appearance.

In this article, you will learn how to take optimum care of your golf shoes so that they accompany you reliably round after round.

The basics of golf shoe care: the routine after every round

The best care starts right after the game. A consistent routine ensures that dirt and moisture do not settle and damage the material. This consistent golf shoe care routine is your first step to long-lasting shoes.

Immediate cleaning is the be-all and end-all

Take a few minutes immediately after every round:

• ‍Remove coarsedirt: gently brush grass, soil and other coarse dirt off the shoes. A soft brush or even an old toothbrush is ideal for this.
• ‍Clean the soles: The soles also deserve attention. With a damp cloth or a special sole brush, you can easily remove stuck-on grass residue and mud. Pay particular attention to the spaces between the cleats or Spikes.

Dry golf shoes properly - but how?

Wet or damp golf shoes should never simply be thrown into the bag or trunk. Proper drying is crucial to prevent material damage and odor build-up:

• Air dry at room temperature: place your shoes in a well-ventilated area at room temperature.
• Beware of heat: Never use heaters, hair dryers or direct sunlight for drying. The heat can make the material brittle, loosen adhesives or shrink the leather.
• Remove moisture and retain shape: Stuff damp shoes with crumpled newspaper. The paper effectively absorbs the moisture. Shoe trees made from untreated cedar wood are best suited to effectively absorb moisture and odors and to maintain the shape of the shoe. Ideally, these should remain in the shoes permanently when they are not in use.

Ventilate for fresh air

To prevent unpleasant odors and the formation of bacteria, air your shoes thoroughly:

• Open and loosen: loosen the laces completely and pull out the tongue. This allows air to circulate.
• Remove insoles: If your shoes have removable insoles, take them out and let them dry separately. This speeds up the drying process and prevents odors.

Material-specific golf shoe care

Golf shoe care varies depending on the material in order to optimally preserve the specific properties and maximize the service life of your shoes.

Leather shoes: maintaining suppleness‍

Leather is a natural product and needs special care to remain supple and water-repellent:

• Cleaning: After removing coarse dirt, you can wipe leather shoes with a damp cloth and a little mild soap solution.
• Care: Regularly massage a high-quality leather cream or leather balm into the clean, dry leather. This nourishes the material, prevents it from drying out and gives it a new shine.
• Waterproofing: Even if many leather golf shoes already have a waterproof membrane, additional waterproofing does no harm. It protects the upper leather from moisture and stains.

Synthetic & microfiber shoes: Robust and easy to care for‍

These materials are often less complicated to care for:

• Cleaning: A damp cloth is usually enough to remove dirt. A mild soap solution can be used for more stubborn stains.
• Drying: Simply leave to air dry.
• Waterproofing: Although many synthetic materials are naturally water-repellent, a waterproofing spray can provide additional protection, especially at the seams.

Nubuck & suede shoes: Sensitive and stylish‍

Nubuck and suede are particularly sensitive and require special products:

• Dry cleaning: For dry dirt, use a special nubuck or suede brush.
• Damp cleaning: Special foam cleaners or erasers are available for stains. Proceed carefully and brush the surface again after drying.
• Impregnation: Regular impregnation is essential here, as these materials absorb more moisture.

White golf shoes: stay shiny and clean
White shoes are stylish, but also susceptible to stains:

• Special cleaners: use white shoe cleaners or a very gentle scouring milk with a soft cloth for cleaning. Always test such products on an inconspicuous area first.
• Repair scratches: Small scuffs or scratches on the edges of the soles or on the upper material can often be touched up with special white color touch-ups or sole edge paints.

The often forgotten details: soles, Spikes and laces

The inconspicuous parts of your golf shoes are just as important for performance as the upper material.

Spikes & cleats: The grip guarantor

Spikes are crucial for optimum grip and safety when swinging:

• Regular check: check for loose, worn or damaged Spikes after every round.
• Cleaning and care: Thoroughly remove dirt from the threads. In the case of screw-in spikes, it is advisable to unscrew them at least once a year, clean the threads and possibly treat them with a little leather grease or Vaseline. This measure prevents the Spikes from getting stuck in the thread.
• Replace if necessary: Worn or damaged Spikes should be replaced immediately so as not to jeopardize your grip.

Shoelaces: support and appearance

Shoelaces can also get dirty and wear out:

• Checking and cleaning: Check the laces for wear and tear. If necessary, they can be washed by hand in soapy water.
• Replace: If they are frayed or tear easily, replace them immediately.

Insoles

• Regular airing and cleaning: If the insoles are removable, they should be aired regularly and cleaned as needed to minimize odors. They can also be replaced in the event of heavy wear or persistent odor problems.

Additional tips for longevity and comfort

These other aspects of golf shoe care can further extend the life of your shoes and increase comfort:

• Use shoe horns: This may sound trivial, but a shoe horn protects the heel counter from treading in and prevents tearing and deformation of this important area.
• Shoe rotation: If you play golf regularly, it's worth alternating between two pairs of golf shoes. This gives each pair sufficient time to dry completely and "recover". This extends the life of both pairs.
• Professional care products: Don't be afraid to invest in high-quality cleaning and care products that have been specially developed for golf or sports shoes.

The golden rule: Never wash your golf shoes in the washing machine and never put them in the tumble dryer! This is because the high temperatures and mechanical stress can damage the sensitive materials, adhesive joints and waterproof membranes.

Conclusion

Golf shoe care is not rocket science, but it does require regularity and knowledge of the right techniques. With the tips presented here and a little attention, you can ensure that your golf shoes not only look good for many seasons, but also retain their full function and comfort. Invest a few minutes in maintenance after each round and your shoes will thank you with durability and performance on the turf.

AI tools were used to create this article.