Care For Wet Golf Shoes

Are Your Golf Shoes Soft, Supple and Dry?

At this time of year a lot of people are getting their golf clubs and golf shoes out of the garage, cellar, cupboard, den – or wherever they are kept over the winter.  These are the fairweather golfers of course who haven’t been playing in the wet and cold.  But whichever type of golfer you are – hardy or softy – you will want to make sure that you gear is in good condition and doesn’t deteriorate because of neglect.  Advice on cleaning golf clubs, I’ll leave to others, but for Golf Shoes Blog we think about golf shoes.

[1] You might want to but some new shoes – or you might not think it sensible so you need to look after the ones you have.

[2] If your golf shoes get wet – and all shoes get wet to some degree, even if your feet managed to stay dry – dry them sensibly.  [a] Do not leave them in the car sodden – they can go quite mouldy - and do not put them away wet.  Apart from mould the damp can soften glue and the leather can deteriorate. [b] Do not dry in the sun or in direct heat (I used to put mine on the Rayburn boiler – bad). It can crack them.  Dry them in the warm but not too fast.  Think of them as a slow roast – not a flash fry.  (Next to the boiler – good.)  You do not want to overdry them as this too can make the leather brittle and prone to cracking.  Just dry them to the ambient indoor norm.

[3] Polish them with old fashioned shoe polish once in a while. This will keep the leather softer, keep them looking good and will help their waterproof qualities.

[4] Always undo the laces (or straps) rather than force yourself into the golf shoe which can damage the heel support.  Ditto when taking them off.  There’s no point in buying golf shoes with all-singing, all-dancing technology to hold your foot and heel just right and then forcing it and stretching it unnecessarily.