Golf shoes are remarkable for their appeal, but they can be tricky to care for. I’m here to provide you with some tips on how to clean your golf shoes like a pro. Read on and learn how to help your golf shoe last longer, how often they should be polished, how to keep them from drying out, and more!

We have discussed a great round-up with golf shoe tips as well in our earlier articles. Alternatively, you can also check out our detailed reviews of ECCO golf shoes, Skechers golf shoes, or the best golf shoes for walking.

We have also discussed how to soften (break-in) new golf shoes. We also discussed in detail how to choose the right golf shoes.

How to clean your golf shoes

Some people like to toss their shoes in the washing machine and let them soak with some mild soap. Though this seems like an easy way to clean your shoes, you would risk causing them unnecessary damage by using machine washing on them.

The best way to clean your golf shoes is by hand. To make sure your shoes are clean, use a damp cloth with mild soap to scrub away dirt.

If you have lots of dirt, especially on the sole of your shoes, you can use a mild cleanser like Pink Miracle Shoe Cleaner Kit to remove dirt from shoes.

If you prefer not to buy any products, you can use a mild soap like dishwashing detergent or laundry bar soap and water to clean your shoes.

After cleaning your shoes, hang them up to dry on a shoe hanger or use a towel to dry them off.

How to dry your golf shoes

It is best to air dry your shoes.

Do not use a hairdryer or hot air blower. These drying methods cause your shoes to lose their shape and will tear away at the soles, which can cause you to slip on the course when you are walking.

To help your shoes dry quicker, you can use a towel to absorb moisture and then put them on your shoe hanger. You can leave them like this overnight.

This would be the ideal way to dry your golf shoes if you are planning on wearing them the next day or if it will rain soon or you cannot leave them outside to dry for some reason.

How to take care of leather golf shoes

Leather golf shoes require regular maintenance to help them last longer. If you follow the cleaning instructions for your shoes, they will only need a simple brushing with a soft brush once every two weeks or so. However, this frequency depends on how often you play or wear your golf shoes.

Just like with regular leather shoes, you can clean your golf shoes with a special leather shoe cleaning product. For example, there is this ECCO Smooth Leather Care Cream Shoe Polish.

Soap and water would do just fine if you do not have any shoe cleaning products. Just make sure to use warm water and mild soap not to compromise your leather golf shoes.

If you place your leather golf shoes on a shoe rack, check their orientation. Avoid putting them in direct sunlight or the rain, especially if this will happen frequently.

Some people like to put their shoes in the refrigerator before wearing them to help keep them from wrinkling. If you prefer to do this, make sure you put your shoes in a zip lock bag or another plastic bag to prevent condensation.

If you like to hang your golf shoes up on your shoe rack, try not to leave them on their backs for too long otherwise, the insoles get squished. This is especially true for people with high arches who tend to have an issue with squished insoles.

There are specialized shoe trees that you can purchase if you want a complete way to keep your golf shoes conditioned and help them last longer.

How to take care of spikes on your golf shoes

Many golf shoes come with spikes. They help provide traction when you are walking and make sure that you have a good grip when playing.

Some spikes can be made from stainless steel or titanium. With these types of spikes, you can just use a soft brush to remove dirt and debris from the surface.

If you prefer not to use your fingers, you can also use a brush with soft rubber bristles. You can also use these brushes to clean the sole of your shoes.

Just make sure to clean the spikes often. Some of them can become clogged up over time, which could cause them to come loose from your shoe and get lost.

To prevent this problem, you should always brush off the spikes before putting your shoes on, especially if they have not been worn in a while or are getting a little bit rough.

How to help your golf shoes last longer

Since your golf shoes will be worn for a duration of time, it is important to take care of them properly, so they last as long as possible.

Take the 10 simple steps below to help care for your golf shoes and ensure they last longer. This includes looking at both the upper and the soles of your shoes.

1. Inspect your golf shoes

While you are wearing them, always inspect the upper and the sole of your shoes. If you notice any holes on the upper or any issues with the sole, address this immediately!

Also check out your spikes for signs of wear and tear. If there are black spots or corrosion on them, these will also need to be addressed as soon as possible. Otherwise, they could break off and get lost!

2. Brush off your spikes

While you are wearing your shoes, always make sure to brush the spikes off with a brush that has soft rubber bristles. This will keep them from getting clogged up and also help reduce wear and tear.

For best results, try to clean your spikes before putting on your shoes. This is especially important if it has been a while since you have worn them!

3. Air out your shoes

If you are not wearing them, always make sure to let your shoes air out. If they do not get enough air, the insoles could start to break down. You do not want this to happen because it can cause blisters and even other injuries.

Also, make sure that you store your golf shoes in a dry environment where they can breathe. This will help them last longer and keep them from getting moldy or mildew!

4. Keep your spikes clean

If you have metal spikes on your shoes, you absolutely want to make sure that you clean them. This will prevent dirt and grime from clogging up the spikes and causing them to come loose. If this happens, they can break off and get lost!

To clean your metal spikes, use a brush with soft rubber bristles like those used for cleaning car tires. Just make sure not to use a hard brush or anything else that could scratch the surface of the metal.

5. Use waterproofing products regularly

Another thing you can use on your shoes are products that are meant to keep the leather from getting wet. These waterproofing products will help even if you have a minor splash over your shoe while playing or walking through the rain. It will also help prevent water from soaking into the insole of your shoes, which could cause issues with structural integrity!

6. Do not use water to clean leather

Since leather is a porous material, make sure you never use water. The water will not be good for the leather. Instead, use water-based cleaners to clean your shoes. If you want to make sure that you are actually cleaning any dirt off of them, you can use a leather cleaner that has replaced the water in it with special ingredients that will actually remove dirt and grime from your shoes.

This is an excellent technique if your shoes are in this state, even if they have just been worn and have not been cleaned for a while!

7. Let your shoes dry out

When you are cleaning your golf shoes, you must give them time to dry out once you are done with the cleaning. Even if you use a waterproofing product, wait for them to dry on their own. Putting them on too soon could ruin them or damage the waterproofing product that you used.

8. Store your golf shoes in the right place

It would help if you also store your golf shoes in a place where they can get air. If you store them in a closed and dark space, the insoles could get musty or moldy and break down.

This is especially important if you live in an area that is hot and humid. Storing them in an area with lots of humidity can cause the leather to dry out. If that happens, it will become much more difficult to clean your shoes!

9. Not too many shoes in the bag

If you continually have a lot of shoes in your bag, then it will be challenging to clean them when you need to. This is because they can easily get damaged or ruined if they are not taken care of properly.

So make sure that you only have enough shoes for the day that you play or practice. If you are playing a round on the weekend with the possibility of rain, then only bring one (1), or max two (2) pairs!

10. Keep them free of dirt

Finally, another thing to keep in mind is that it is a good idea to keep your shoes free of dirt and debris. This will help them last longer and prevent damaging the golf shoe’s material (especially leather) when it gets dirty.

To clean your golf shoes, first, try to brush off any debris on them. This includes anything like dirt, sand, rocks, or small pebbles that you may find while playing.

Things to check on your golf shoes

Here are a few things to check on your golf shoes before cleaning and caring for them:

1. Check the shoe heel to make sure there are no tears, rips, or holes. This is very common with waterproof split-toe shoes. If you notice any tears or holes on the side of your heel, then you should probably repair them before using them again.
2. Check all straps and buckles on your golf shoes to ensure they are secure and not loose. The more you wear your shoes, the more likely they will start to stretch out.
3. Check the bottom of the shoe for any dirt, grass, or other debris that may have collected during the course of playing. If there is any dirt on your shoe bottoms, then wipe it off and allow them to dry completely before putting them away.
4. If you notice any little holes or cracks on the sides of the shoe, then it is best to take them to your local shoe repair shop and have them replaced with a new pair.
5. Also, check the soles for any tears or rips and try to keep them at an angle so that they are not damaging your golf course. If you notice that they are torn in a certain area, then use some extra adhesive spray on those spots until you get a replacement pair for your next round.
6. Check your golf shoes to make sure that they are not too worn out and starting to get flat on the bottom of the shoe. If they do need to be replaced, then go ahead and take them to your local shoe store so that they can be replaced for you.

More tips to check your golf shoes

7. Check your shoe insoles for any tears, holes, or cracks as well. It is easy to take them out and replace them with a new pair of insoles if needed.
8. Before putting on your golf shoes, make sure to wash your feet, especially underneath your toes, where sweat tends to accumulate. You can use soap and water or a combination of antibacterial soap and warm water while washing your feet.
9. After you wash them, pat them dry with a towel so that no moisture is left on them before putting the insoles back in the shoe. Then place the shoe insoles in the shoes and wear them as normal while practicing for next time.
10. Depending on the type of shoe you have, you may need a golf shoe repair kit to fix or replace things such as broken heels, straps, buckles, etc.
11. If your golf shoes are starting to wear out and become thin and worn out on the bottom of the shoe over time, it is best to take them to your local shoe store to be replaced for you. It is better to spend money on caring for your golf shoes than on a new pair of golf shoes every year.

Frequently asked questions around how to care for golf shoes

How often should I clean my golf shoes?

There is no right amount of time you need to wait in between cleaning your golf shoes. It really depends on how often you play on the course.

That said, an average person would clean their golf shoes after every 1 – 3 times they play. Some go a few more days and have even been known to go as long as a couple of weeks before cleaning them. This type of schedule depends on personal preference.

The more you play, the more likely it is that your shoes will be covered in dirt, mud, and grass clippings, and other debris than it would for someone who plays less frequently.

Why should you care for your golf shoes?

Your golf shoes are an investment. You want to make sure that you are careful and treat your shoes well to last as long as possible.

Caring for your golf shoes also means that you can take care of the insoles inside of them. Keeping your insoles in good shape is important because they help protect your feet from injuries, blisters, and pain while playing golf.

What are the benefits of having the right pair of golf shoes?

The right golf shoes will depend on what type of golfer you are or what type of play styles you have.

Here are some examples of benefits you can get from the right pair of golf shoes:

1. Golf shoes will help prevent injuries, blisters, and heel pain. They also absorb shock and help with cushioning your feet.
2. Golf shoes make it easier to play in a straight line, helping to avoid twisted ankles or knees on the course.
3. Waterproof shoes help protect against wet rot and mildew from getting inside the shoe.
4. Golf shoes prevent dirt, grass, and mud from getting inside as well. This can help keep your shafts, irons, wedges, and putters free from scratches or any other damage that it would cause.
5. Sandals are great for people who play at outdoor courses during warmer weather. However, sandals are not great if you like to play during the winter months, for example, in the snow.
6. Lightweight shoes help reduce fatigue and fatigue-related injuries. It also improves your balance so that you can stay more stable while playing on the course.

More benefits of having the right pair of golf shoes

7. Aggressive golf shoes may be good for those with a fast swing or a constant ball flight, such as a pull-hooking shot or a low trajectory shot.
8. For those who are always on the go and do not have too much time for golf, golf shoes that are lightweight and can be worn off the course will be easier to wear for other activities as well.
9. For those who have jobs or lifestyles that aren’t always convenient for them to play their game, golf shoes that are more casual and can be worn in the office or outdoors on casual days might work better for them.
10. Leather golf shoes are more durable and last much longer than synthetic materials due to their higher material quality. Leather is also easier to clean and maintain.
11. For those who plan on playing golf in hot weather, leather golf shoes will help keep their feet cool during hot days, as well as all-weather shoes.
12. Shoe widths make all of the difference for different types of swings and shots, so wider shoes may be best for those who have a fast swing or a ball flight that travels lower in the air.

Final thoughts on taking care of your golf shoes

Once again, it depends on the type of shoes you have and how often you wear them. If you plan to wear your shoes more often, it is best to take care of them.

If you are someone who does not spend that much time playing golf and just wears them for a couple of hours here and there during a week, then you can probably go about a week before cleaning them.