Junior Golf Shoes in South Africa: Finding the Right Pair

Our son started playing golf in ordinary tekkies. For lessons, driving range sessions and his first rounds, they worked perfectly well.

Proper golf shoes became more useful once he started playing regularly. They’re designed to grip the grass during a swing, and some offer waterproofing that comes in very handy during those wet Western Cape mornings.

But with junior golf shoes ranging from around R800 to well over R2,000, it’s worth thinking about what your child actually needs.

Comfort, grip and the right fit matter far more than having the latest model. Especially when those growing feet might need a different size before the season is over!

When should your child start wearing golf shoes?

There’s no particular age when children need to switch from regular sneakers to golf shoes. It depends on how often they’re playing, the conditions and whether their current shoes are doing the job.

Here’s how we’d approach it.

For a child who’s just learning, there’s no reason to rush out and buy golf shoes.

But if they’re playing regularly, particularly on wet or uneven ground, the extra grip becomes useful.

Golf clubs and tournaments may also have their own footwear requirements, so check before turning up in ordinary trainers.

What if you can’t find golf shoes in your child’s size?

One problem with junior golf shoes is that the selection gets much smaller when you’re shopping for younger children.

Many dedicated junior models available in South Africa start around UK size 1 or 2. That doesn’t help much if your child has smaller feet!

Even when a manufacturer produces smaller sizes, finding them in stock can be difficult.

Could hockey or football turf shoes be an alternative?

This is an interesting suggestion we’ve come across from other golf parents.

We read junior golf discussions on Facebook where parents have suggested hockey- or football turf shoes as an alternative when proper junior golf shoes aren’t available in smaller sizes.

Both types are designed to provide traction on artificial playing surfaces, often using lots of small rubber grips underneath the sole.

They’re available in smaller children’s sizes and come in some great colours and designs.

Although they’re not designed specifically for golf, some may work for beginner lessons, driving range practice and occasional rounds in relatively dry conditions.

There are a few things we’d check:

• Look for outdoor turf shoes. Football turf shoes are often labelled TF. Hockey shoes designed for artificial turf may also have suitable rubber traction patterns.
• Avoid indoor court shoes. These generally have flatter, non-marking soles intended for indoor surfaces.
• Check the sole. Avoid traditional football boots with long studs or aggressive grips that could damage putting greens.
• Consider the conditions. Turf shoes may not provide reliable traction on wet natural grass.
• Don’t assume they’re waterproof. Some hockey shoes offer water resistance, but that doesn’t mean they’ll keep feet dry throughout a wet round.
• Check with the golf club. Alternative sports footwear may not be permitted everywhere.

For a younger child who’s still learning, a comfortable pair of hockey or football turf shoes could be a practical option.

We wouldn’t automatically choose them over properly fitting golf shoes for regular competitions, but they’re worth considering when dedicated junior sizes aren’t available.

What’s actually underneath a golf shoe?

This is where golf shoes differ most from ordinary trainers.

Golf involves rotating your body and shifting your weight during a swing. Your feet need enough traction to stay stable, particularly when the grass is wet.

You’ll come across two main types: spiked and spikeless golf shoes.

Spikeless golf shoes

Despite the name, spikeless shoes aren’t smooth underneath.

They have moulded rubber grips, ridges or small lugs built into the sole.

Many look almost identical to ordinary trainers, which makes them particularly appealing for children.

They’re generally easy to maintain, comfortable to walk in and don’t need replacement cleats.

Models such as the Adidas S2G and Puma Junior Gruve fall into this category.

Spiked golf shoes

Spiked golf shoes have separate cleats attached to the sole, usually made from soft plastic.

These can provide additional traction in certain conditions, particularly when the ground is slippery.

Some spiked shoes also allow worn cleats to be replaced.

The FootJoy Junior Traditions and Slazenger Junior V Series are examples worth looking at.

The downside is that spikes can wear down or collect mud, so they need a little more attention.

Which is better for junior golfers?

For a first pair, we’d start by looking at spikeless shoes.

They’re practical for lessons, club competitions and walking the course.

But spiked shoes are worth considering too, particularly for children who regularly play in wet conditions or prefer the additional traction.

Neither type is automatically better. The sole design, fit and conditions all matter.

Three things we’d prioritise when buying junior golf shoes

There are plenty of technical features listed on golf shoe boxes, but these are the three we’d pay the most attention to.

1. Comfort for the whole round

A pair of shoes might feel fine for five minutes in a shop. But how will they feel after walking 18 holes?

Look for cushioning under the heel and forefoot, a comfortable fit around the ankle and enough flexibility to walk naturally.

Weight matters too. Younger children may find heavy or stiff golf shoes uncomfortable.

Have your child walk around in the shoes before buying. If possible, ask them to stand in their golf stance and make a few gentle practice swings.

A shoe that’s uncomfortable before the round is unlikely to improve by the back nine.

2. Grip on grass

Turn the shoe over.

The sole should have a clear traction pattern designed for use on the golf course.

This is particularly important if your child regularly plays early-morning competitions, when the fairways may still be damp.

Some golf shoes look almost exactly like trainers, but their soles are designed differently.

It’s worth paying attention to what’s underneath rather than choosing purely by appearance.

3. Waterproofing

This is something we’d put fairly high on the list for a child playing year-round in the Western Cape.

Even on a sunny morning, the fairways can be soaked with dew.

And during winter, children may spend several hours walking through wet grass.

Some junior golf shoes are waterproof, while others are only water-resistant.

Water-resistant doesn’t mean waterproof.

A water-resistant shoe may cope with light moisture, but it isn’t necessarily designed to keep feet dry during prolonged wet conditions.

Check the manufacturer’s description, particularly if waterproofing is one of the reasons you’re choosing a more expensive pair.

Some models also come with a waterproof warranty.

For children who mostly play afternoon lessons during summer, waterproofing may be less important.

Growing feet: Getting the size right

This is probably the most frustrating part of buying junior golf shoes.

You find a pair your child loves, spend a fair amount of money on them, and a few months later their toes are touching the front.

Unfortunately, buying shoes several sizes too big isn’t a particularly good solution.

Golf shoes need to hold the foot securely during a swing. If your child’s feet slide around inside them, they may develop blisters or feel unstable.

Should you buy half a size bigger?

Possibly, if the smaller size is too snug and the larger size still holds the foot securely.

But don’t automatically size up just to make the shoes last longer.

A little growing room is sensible. Shoes that are noticeably too big aren’t.

What about adult golf shoes for kids?

Once your child starts fitting into smaller adult sizes, you’ll suddenly have a much bigger selection.

This can be particularly useful for older kids.

For example, some Adidas adult golf shoe models are available from around UK size 1.

Just remember that adult shoes may be wider or shaped differently.

Some manufacturers also recommend sizing differently for specific models, so it’s worth checking the individual product’s fitting advice.

Is it worth spending more?

That depends on what you’re getting.

Waterproofing can make a real difference for a child playing early-morning tournaments in winter.

Good cushioning is useful for anyone walking 18 holes regularly.

And features such as BOA fastening might make getting ready for golf a little easier.

But you don’t necessarily need all of those features.

We’d choose a pair based on fit, comfort and how often our son plays, rather than automatically buying the most expensive model.

Before spending R2,000 on golf shoes…

It’s worth checking a few other options before paying full price.

Look for previous-season models

Golf brands regularly release updated designs, but that doesn’t mean last year’s shoes have suddenly become unsuitable.

If you find an older junior model in the right size, compare its features with the newer version.

We’ve seen discounts of several hundred rand on junior golf shoes, so there’s a good reason to shop around.

Try factory outlets and golf pro shops

Factory shops and sportswear outlets sometimes stock previous-season golf shoes at reduced prices.

Junior sizes can be difficult to find, though.

Golf pro shops are also worth checking, particularly if your child needs to try on different brands.

Some retailers offer member pricing too, so it’s worth checking the conditions before buying.

Would you buy secondhand golf shoes?

We’re all for passing on junior golf gear, but we’d be more careful with shoes than with kids golf shirts or bags.

Shoes can look perfectly fine on the outside while the cushioning and support have already worn down.

Before buying secondhand, check the condition of the soles, heel support and inside of the shoes.

Look for uneven wear, damaged stitching and signs of water damage.

If the shoes have removable spikes, check whether replacement cleats are available.

And if they’re advertised as waterproof, don’t assume the waterproofing is still as effective as when they were new.

You can also look for preloved junior golf shoes in our Secondhand Junior Golf Gear Facebook group.

How to make junior golf shoes last longer

A little maintenance goes a long way, especially when you’re hoping to get as much use as possible out of an expensive pair.

Clean the soles after a round

Grass, sand and mud can collect underneath golf shoes.

Use a soft brush to clean the tread, particularly after wet rounds.

For spiked shoes, check around the cleats too.

Let wet shoes dry properly

Don’t leave damp golf shoes inside a closed golf bag or in the boot of the car.

Remove the insoles if the manufacturer recommends it, and let the shoes dry naturally in a well-ventilated place.

Avoid placing them directly against a heater, as excessive heat may damage the materials.

Check the grip

Spikeless soles gradually wear down, particularly if the shoes are regularly worn on hard surfaces.

Spiked shoes may need replacement cleats.

Once the sole has lost too much grip, the shoes may no longer be suitable for wet conditions.

FAQ’s about Junior Golf Shoes