My view on spikeless golf shoes has completely flipped in recent years. Ask me four of five years ago what I thought of them, and I'd advise you never to go near them, mainly due to a lack of grip and traction on the golf course as the reason. Now, if you're unfortunate enough to bump into me on a golf course, I'll almost certainly be wearing a pair of spikeless shoes, as using them has proven that opinion to be completely false.
I'm a bit of a hoarder when it comes to shoes, so I keep a number of my favorites in my rotation, most notably the Duca Del Cosma Davanti, the Under Armour Forge 96 and the Jordan ADG 4. Of course, there are a few spiked shoes in that rotation as well, but the majority are spikeless as I find them the easiest and comfiest to wear. Out of all the options in my collection, these new Under Armour shoes may be the best and most comfortable of the lot...
The Phantom Fore shoes are the epitome of comfort. After my first spin with them on the golf course, I soon realized that these shoes would be on my feet a lot, both on and off the course. Since getting my hands on them they have been just about everywhere - on the course, to the gym and even on mountain walks! The source of this comfort is UA's HOVR+ cushioning, which reduces impact, returns energy and helps propel you forward, making these one of the best golf shoes for walking.
The comfort starts pretty much immediately after you put them on, courtesy of the knit collar and tongue for a sock-like fit. We noted in our review of the previous iteration of this shoe last year that the sock-lining proved tricky to slide into sometimes, but I had no such issues with the newer version. The Supportive TPU heel counter and accompanying heel pull mean it's dead easy to slide them both on and off, too.
One thing of particular importance to me when looking for the right shoe is breathability. Unfortunately, I'm prone to getting quite sweaty feet, especially on warmer days and I find the majority of golf shoes don't give me enough breathability, negatively impacting my comfort as a result. I tested these shoes at Royal County Down amid some surprisingly warm weather, and I was blown away at the breathability on offer, so much so that I'd class them as the most breathable and comfortable golf shoes I've ever worn.
They also held up in the rain. Thanks to the soft, molded TPU-coated foam upper with knit collar and NeverWet-treated knit, coupled with the lightweight waterproof membrane, means you're protected from those unexpected showers that may roll in halfway through your round. There's also a one-year waterproof warranty included for your peace of mind.
As for actual on-course golf performance, I was really impressed. I questioned how stable I would feel in the knit-sock style shoe but never once felt insecure or off-balance despite hitting from a range of undulating lies. Of course, spiked shoes are likely to perform better in wet conditions, but I felt confident and secure in the Phantom Fore shoes when it was wet underfoot.
Additional directional rubber studs helped me feel locked into the ground, and during my testing, which took place over nearly a dozen rounds, I didn't slip once.
Finally, the looks are wonderful. I got the all white colorway and loved them, especially with how they combined with the coloring of the undersole. Although they are slightly elevated compared to other golf shoes out there, I never felt too far from the ground and thought the aesthetic was up there with some of the best golf sneakers out there.
Considering the performance on offer both on and off the course, a rye smile entered my face when I saw the price tag of £110. The price of golf shoes, as well as pretty much all golf equipment and accessories, has spiralled in recent years, which has made it harder to find true value. I think you would be hard pressed to find a better value golf shoe in 2025.
