Golf Shoes Looking Tired? Try This Before You Buy New Ones
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Golf Shoes Looking Tired? Try This Before You Buy New Ones
Golf shoes take a serious beating. Mud, rain, bunkers, wet rough, soggy fairways and the inevitable trudge across a gravel car park - by the end of a UK winter season, even a good pair of shoes can look like they've been through a war. Before you reach for your wallet and spend £120 or more on a new pair, it's worth knowing that a few simple, affordable upgrades can make your existing shoes look and feel almost brand new again.
Step 1 - Clean them properly
Most golfers give their shoes a quick wipe on the mat at the clubhouse door and call it done. But a proper clean makes an enormous difference. Remove the laces first, then work on the upper with a soft brush and warm soapy water. The bit most people skip? The soles and the stitching. Mud packed into the grooves of the sole affects grip on the course, and grime that builds up around the stitching gradually breaks down the material over time. A soft toothbrush gets into the stitching beautifully. For white rubber soles, a Magic Eraser - the household cleaning sponge - removes scuffs and grey marks remarkably effectively. It sounds too simple to work. It really does work.
Step 2 - Replace the laces
This is the upgrade that makes the most immediate visual difference, and it costs as little as £6. Fresh laces on clean shoes is genuinely transformative - the whole shoe looks newer, brighter and more cared for. And while you're replacing them, it's the perfect opportunity to add a little personality. Pink laces for a pop of colour, blue for a clean sporty look, lilac for something modern and fashionable, yellow for a little sunshine on a grey morning - the difference between tired original laces and a fresh colourful pair is remarkable.
[Add before and after photos here when available]
Step 3 - Replace the insoles
This is the tip most people don't think of, but it makes a significant difference to how the shoe feels underfoot. Insoles compress and wear down over time - usually much faster than the shoe itself and replacing them with a quality pair can make an older shoe feel dramatically more comfortable. Brands like Superfeet and Currex make insoles specifically designed for golf shoes that improve cushioning, arch support and stability over 18 holes. It's a genuinely underrated upgrade.
Step 4 - Whiten the soles
If your white rubber soles have gone grey and scuffed, a Magic Eraser is your best friend. Dampen it slightly and work along the sole edges with gentle pressure - it lifts surface marks and scuffs that normal cleaning leaves behind. For deeper yellowing, a small amount of baking soda paste applied with an old toothbrush and left for a few minutes before rinsing can restore a surprising amount of brightness. The difference to the overall appearance of the shoe is significant.
Step 5 - Re-waterproof them
This one is particularly relevant in the UK, where dry rounds are a pleasant surprise rather than a guarantee. Golf shoe waterproofing degrades over time and with repeated cleaning, which means shoes that were once genuinely waterproof gradually stop doing their job properly. A waterproofing spray - Nikwax Footwear Proof and Scotchgard both work well - applied to clean, dry shoes restores water resistance significantly. Apply it every few months through the wetter seasons and your feet will thank you enormously.
The real cost comparison
New golf shoes will set you back anywhere from £100 to £180 for a decent pair. Alternatively - fresh laces around £6, a good shoe cleaner around £5, replacement insoles around £10, a waterproofing spray around £8. Total spend under £30, and your existing shoes feel like a completely different pair.
Sometimes your golf shoes don't need replacing. They just need a little love and the right laces.