If rain is even a possibility, waterproof golf shoes are the sensible choice. You don't need an 18-hole downpour to end up with wet feet either. Morning dew, damp rough and soggy fairways can do a surprisingly good job all by themselves.
The ideal wet-weather golf shoe combines waterproof protection with a comfortable fit and dependable grip. Because there is nothing stylish about spending the back nine thinking about your socks.
And no, practical golf shoes do not have to be boring.
The Forecast Says It Might Rain. What Shoes Should I Bring?
Ah, the classic British golf forecast: dry when you leave home, questionable by the first tee and doing something completely different by the seventh.
If there is a reasonable chance of rain, waterproof golf shoes are the easiest option because you don't have to make a last-minute decision in the car park. They are just as useful on a damp morning as they are when a shower arrives halfway through your round.
A spare pair of socks in your golf bag is never a bad idea either. Consider it inexpensive insurance for your feet.
If conditions are likely to be colder, muddier and fully wintry, a waterproof golf boot may make more sense than a lower trainer-style golf shoe. The important thing is matching your footwear to the conditions rather than waiting for rain to be falling sideways before thinking about it.
What Should You Look for in Waterproof Golf Shoes?
Waterproof protection
Start by checking the actual product specification. Don't assume that every golf shoe is waterproof simply because it looks sturdy enough to handle wet grass.
A waterproof golf shoe is especially useful when the course is already wet before your round begins. Long grass covered in morning moisture can be enough to soak ordinary footwear even when not a single drop of rain falls while you're playing.
Grip for wet ground
Rain changes more than how your feet feel. Grass, slopes and paths can become slippery, so the sole of your golf shoe matters too.
Look for a design intended to give you grip around the course and always choose footwear appropriate for the course conditions and any local club requirements.
Comfort for a full round
Golf involves a lot of time on your feet, so fit deserves just as much attention as waterproofing.
Shoes that feel fine for five minutes in the house still have to accompany you around 18 holes. Give yourself enough room, wear the type of socks you normally play in when checking the fit and don't ignore any pressure points.
An insole that works for you
Everyone's feet are different.
A removable inner sole can be particularly useful if you prefer your own insole or need a different type of underfoot support. Rather than having to choose between a golf shoe you like and the insole you prefer, you have more flexibility to make the shoe work for you.
Our Goody Two Shoes Were Made for Unpredictable Golf Days
Our Goody Two Shoes are waterproof, trainer-style golf shoes designed to make questionable-looking forecasts a little less questionable.
The removable inner sole means you can swap in your preferred insole if you wish, while the wider fit gives your feet room to settle in for the round. They're designed for the golf course, but without looking as though you've borrowed your footwear from a professional caddie's equipment cupboard.
Then there are the colours.
Because if the sky has decided to go grey, your shoes certainly don't have to.
White & Navy is the easy all-rounder, brilliant with navy trousers, bright polos and patterned pieces.
White & Pink brings a little more fun and looks especially good when you've picked up pink somewhere else in your outfit.
True Blue works beautifully with navy, white and cooler blue tones.
Ocean is made for tonal blue and teal outfits and gives darker autumn colours a brighter lift.
And Sunshine is exactly the sort of colour we approve of when the actual sunshine has failed to turn up.
Waterproof golf shoes: sensible underneath, Swing Out Sister on top.
What About Proper Winter Golf Days?
There comes a point when the weather stops flirting with autumn and commits fully to winter.
For cold, wet and muddy rounds, a golf boot can provide another option. Our Carla Winter Golf Boot is waterproof and warm, with a pull-on Chelsea boot shape, removable inner sole and winter-focused design.
That makes the choice fairly simple:
Mild or changeable weather with possible rain? A waterproof trainer-style golf shoe is a versatile option.
Cold, wet and fully wintry? Consider moving into a waterproof golf boot.
You don't need to dress for the worst weather imaginable every time you play. You just need footwear that makes sense for the round in front of you.
What Else Should You Pack for a Rainy Round?
Shoes solve the wet-feet problem, but a few other things earn their place in the bag when the forecast looks indecisive.
Pack spare socks, an umbrella and an appropriate outer layer. A small towel is useful too, and if you're driving home afterwards, somewhere to put muddy shoes will make Future You considerably happier.
The trick with changeable golf weather is flexibility. Waterproof shoes on your feet and a removable layer in your bag can cover an awful lot of possibilities without making you feel as though you're heading off on an expedition.
Waterproof Golf Shoes Don't Have to Look Like Wet-Weather Shoes
This is the bit we care about.
Useful golf clothing and footwear should still make you want to wear them.
If waterproof shoes keep your feet drier but only come in a colour you would rather hide underneath your trouser hems, where's the fun in that?
Golf outfits can be practical and colourful. Match your shoes to your polo, pick up a colour from a patterned layer or deliberately choose something bright enough to improve a grey morning.
The clouds are already doing grey. You don't have to join them!
Ready for Whatever the Forecast Decides?
Rain, no rain, suspicious-looking cloud that may or may not have your name on it: golf weather rarely feels the need to give us a straight answer.
A good pair of waterproof golf shoes means you don't really need one.
Choose the fit that works for you, add a colour that works with your wardrobe and get on with the important part: enjoying your round.
Preferably with dry socks.
Waterproof Golf Shoes: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need waterproof golf shoes if it isn't raining?
They can still be useful. Morning dew, wet rough and damp ground can expose your shoes to plenty of moisture even during a dry round. If the course is likely to be wet, waterproof footwear gives you one less thing to think about.
What golf shoes should I wear when rain is forecast?
Look for waterproof golf shoes with a comfortable fit and suitable grip for the course conditions. If it is also particularly cold or muddy, a waterproof golf boot may be worth considering.
Are Swing Out Sister Goody Two Shoes waterproof?
Yes. Goody Two Shoes are designed as waterproof golf shoes and are available in several colourful options, so you don't have to choose between wet-weather practicality and a bit of personality.
Can I put my own insoles into Goody Two Shoes?
Yes. Goody Two Shoes have removable inner soles, so you can replace the supplied insole with your preferred option if required.
Should I take spare golf shoes when rain is forecast?
You don't necessarily need a second pair for the round if your golf shoes are suitable for the conditions, but keeping dry socks or spare footwear in the car can be useful after a particularly wet or muddy day.