I once overheard someone who shall remain unnamed call Skechers 'the brand that style forgot.' Harsh though I thought this was (Skechers sold nearly 300 million pairs of shoes in 2024, so they can't be that ugly), I thought this was likely a fair assessment for its recent golf shoes. Last year's Go Golf Blade was a plastic and cumbersome on the eye, and I'd worried the brand had lost its way entirely after a few years of average attempts and crafting the best golf shoes.
So, imagine my surprise as I unboxed the latest Go Golf Prestige to see a subtle, detailed and altogether classy brogue-style golf shoe. 'Is that really a Skechers shoe?' the same person asked me of the new Prestige. Yes, yes it is.
This brogue-style shoe is subtle with some lovely stitched detailing that runs through the middle and rear of the silhouette. In the white/brown colourway I tested it in, the brown banner that runs just above the midsole is another nice design cue that elevates the whole silhouette. I know it's not as good-looking as something like the FootJoy Premiere Series Packard LX, but for a Skechers, I have to say this is a vast improvement on last year's efforts.
However, one thing that really frustrates me is writing on golf shoes. I'm already wearing the shoe, I don't need to be told (or tell everyone around me) the technology that my shoe has! The 'Skechers Slip-Ins' writing on the heel of the shoe really does take away a little of what is otherwise a classy look, in my opinion. Truth be told, I'm searching for criticism here, such is how impressed I am with Skechers about-turn on styling this year.
The bonus is that you can now get these classy looks with all of Skechers' best shoe technology. While I've doubted some of the looks and some quality issues with recent Skechers golf shoes, I've never doubted the effectiveness and comfort of the Slip-In and Arch Fit technology, so the Prestige feels like a very happy medium between looks and practicality.
Skechers' Slip-In technology is back again, with the reinforced heel allowing you to slip on these shoes without having to bend down to adjust the ankle area. My foot really did slide into these super easily, and I enjoy not having to bend down to fiddle with the ankle area. Of course, you still have to bend down to tie the laces, but I've not got the time or energy to argue with Skechers' Slip-Ins marketing jargon today - it's not totally hands free.
To make this reinforced heel as soft as possible once you've forced your foot into the shoe, Skechers has added its Heel Pillow technology. This is truly one of the softest heel experiences I've tested in a golf shoe, and if you find this particular part of your foot painful or problematic in other shoes, then the Skechers could be your answer to more comfort. There's a lot of padding, but my foot still felt nicely supported in this important area of the shoe for good performance.
Arch Fit is a game changer for those with flat feet like myself. It gently lifts the arch of your foot upwards to help reduce foot fatigue and overall aches and pains. I've used this in many of the other best Skechers golf shoes I've tested over the years and can't fault the comfort, cushion and genuine help with my flatter feet. You don't have to be flat-footed to benefit from Arch Fit, but it's even better if you are!
The version I tested benefits from a solid spiked outsole using Softspikes with the replaceable Pulsar pin system. The grip is excellent in all conditions, and I can't fault how I felt when swiping the club in these shoes. If the spiked outsole isn't for you but you like the look of the Prestige, then you'll be thrilled to know the SL version has a fully spikeless outsole - everyone's a winner!
Overall, this is a marked improvement from Skechers from a looks perspective, while its renowned comfort innovations are still performing well. Adding these shoe technologies into this classy, subtle silhouette shows that Skechers can design good-looking shoes and has executed this particular example with aplomb.
