If you have just been into golf recently, chances are you do not know that you can actually make your own golf shoes. Yes, you heard it right. Read-on and will guide you on how to make your own golf shoes
It may sound complicated, but crafting a pair of golf shoes out of your sneakers or rubber shoes is highly doable, even for beginners.
How to Make Your Own Golf Shoes
Golf is an expensive sport, and it follows that the paraphernalia used in golf also come at hefty prices.
Now you might be someone who just plays golf casually so you do not want to spend a lot on your equipment.
In this case, you are better off with making your own golf shoes. There is no magic involved in doing this.
However, it takes a little bit of research and some craftsmanship in order for you to come up with a pair of shoes that is rightly appropriate for your sport.
Note that to make your own golf shoes, it is not necessary and practical to start from scratch.
What most people do is to look for a pair of sneakers or rubber shoes, then repurpose them so that they can be used for playing golf.
You just need to be a little careful in choosing your base shoes, because you might end up with a pair of do-it-yourself golf shoes that are not ideal for golfing.
That is why you need to do background research before digging into the creative part.
First, know the anatomy of golf shoes
A carpenter would not be able to build a house if he does not know the basic structures that make a house.
The same thing applies to making your own golf shoes. You must be familiar with the parts that make up a pair of golf shoes so that you yourself can produce one.
Upon doing a quick internet search, you will be able to infer that golf shoes are usually composed of the following basic parts.
- Outsole
This part of golf shoes is the one that is in direct contact with the ground.
Thus, it has to be able to withstand a lot of friction and the constant wear-and-tear incurred while playing.
The outsole actually determines whether a pair of shoes can be transformed into golf shoes. Footwear with thin and soft outsoles will not make effective golf shoes.
You should choose shoes that have thick and solid outsoles to support your weight and your movement.
- Spikes
Casual shoes can be differentiated from golf shoes because of the spikes.
These are protrusions underneath the outsole which “bite” into the ground to give players more stability and traction.
They prevent slippage when you are in a muddy course, and also keep you grounded on awkward slopes.
Spikes are either made of metal or polymer-based materials. They can also come built-in with the shoes or removable through screws or locks.
If you are planning to make your own golf shoes, then you should look for those spikes that can be easily attached to the outsoles of any shoes.
- Midsole
This part is responsible for ensuring that golf shoes fit you comfortably. Midsoles act as a bed wherein your footrests.
It is important for midsoles to be compatible with the contour of your foot because otherwise, it would feel unergonomic, and might cause poor performance and injury in the long run.
Midsoles can either be neutral, stability-type or motion control, depending on the materials that make it up.
- Upper
The most visible part of the golf shoes is the upper. Its main function is protecting your feet from dust, mud, and moisture while you play golf.
It is also the main part that is considered when talking about aesthetics because the design of your shoes is concentrated in the upper.
Among all the parts of golf shoes, it is safe to say that this one should be given the least amount of concern, although it would still be nice if the upper keeps your feet comfortable.
Knowing these basic parts of golf footwear will be of great help in the process of crafting your own pair of golf shoes.
However, aside from the anatomy of golf shoes, there is another thing to consider.
Second, know the materials needed
Not all shoes are created equal. You cannot just get any pair of sneakers and repurpose them into golf shoes.
The material of the shoes should also be given prime importance because it is directly linked to the effectiveness of your golf shoes fit.
- Outsole
For the outsole, it should be made with a high-quality polymer such as Dura-Rubber which exhibits high tensile and compressive strength.
This makes sure that the outsole can support your weight without crumbling.
Thermoplastic polyurethane is also a good choice because it provides rigidity without being too dense.
- Midsole
The midsole should be capable of cushioning your footwell, and ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) is a common material used for midsoles.
Polyurethane can also work well as midsoles because of its foaminess.
- Upper
For the upper, select the shoes with the mesh or knitted fabrics for breathability.
On the other hand, if you frequently play on wet and muddy golf courses, then water-repellent materials should be used for the upper to keep your feet dry.
- Spikes
Spikes are more controllable because they can be bought separately.
Metal spikes are durable, but several golf courses are starting to ban them because they cause significant damage to the grounds.
That is why plastic spikes, also called soft spikes, are recommended. Not only are they lighter, but they are also cheaper and more versatile.
Now that you know the materials that make up a good pair of golf shoes, you can rev up with your creative skills and gather your materials.
Time to make your own golf shoes
The first step towards crafting golf shoes is often the most frustrating one.
You have to select a base. This tends to be frustrating because looking for a pair of shoes that can be transformed into golf shoes is challenging.
Some shoes have nice outsoles but terrible uppers, while some have top-notch uppers but midsoles that are practically useless.
This step gets very difficult such that sometimes, people would rather buy new shoes that fit all their preferences.
But for those who are working on a tight budget, buying new shoes to transform into golf shoes can just be as costly as buying golf shoes directly.
Therefore, it is always nice to just work with what you have. Sound advice is to prioritize the quality of the outsole and midsole over the upper.
After selecting your base, you have to purchase spikes. This step is easier, as there is a wide array of choices laid out for you.
Here are two products that can help you put spikes into your shoe base.
- Quick Spikes. This is a rubber contraption with seven plastic spikes at the sole. You can just fit this contraption into your shoes before you play and remove it once you are done. The benefit of this product is that you don’t have to make big modifications to your sneakers to make your own golf shoes.
- These are metallic spikes that you really have to screw into the outsole of your shoes. However, the complication is that you have to mount the spikes yourself, and proper mounting of spikes is difficult. If you mount a spike incorrectly, you can either damage your shoes or injure you.
Aside from these two products, there are other built-in spikes in the market. The good thing is that you can get these products just by shopping online.
Numerous online shops sell golf equipment and accessories like these spikes, so you will never run out of options.
These spikes either come with a contraption or can be screwed on directly. No matter what you choose, always consider your type of play.
If you tend to play frequently, then you can opt for the screwed-on spikes because they are more permanent.
However, if you are just an occasional player, then the contraption-mounted spikes would be better suited for you.
Assessing your play will always be of help as you make your own golf shoes.
Dealing with Unwanted Golf Shoes
Sometimes, golfers who have been playing for long may have accumulated dozens of golf shoes that they can’t actually wear.
Sadly, golf shoes are not as easy to convert into casual shoes, especially the spiked golf shoes. While you can make your own golf shoes from sneakers, it is not the same from the other way around.
How do you deal with unwanted golf shoes, then? If the shoes are still in good condition, you can have them repurposed.
You can opt to add more spikes, modify the material of the midsole, or probably restyle the upper to improve its aesthetics.
These will lead to a better pair of shoes that can better match your choices. However, there is always an option to sell them.
As long as the shoes are still intact, they can be sold as second-hand golf gear.
There are several online platforms hosting this, so it would not be hard to sell your unwanted golf shoes.
Give it a Try
A lot of golfers are intimidated by the idea of creating golf shoes from casual shoes. But, in reality, there is no reason to avoid it.
With just a little bit of research and some online shopping, you can make your own golf shoes.
And once you’ve tried it, you’ll never regret doing it.
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Last Updated on December 4, 2023 by Paul Roger Steinberg