Let's be honest about golf shoes for a second. Most of them are just plain uncomfortable, or they look like something your grandfather would wear to a retirement home buffet. For years, we’ve been forced to choose between "pro-level" spikes that tear up your feet by the 14th hole and "street" styles that have zero grip the moment the grass gets a little dewy. It sucked. But then New Balance decided to port over one of their most iconic lifestyle silhouettes into the sport, and honestly, the New Balance 997 golf shoes kind of changed the math on what a performance shoe should look like.
I’ve spent enough time walking 18-hole rounds to know that weight matters. A lot. Most traditional golf shoes feel like anchors by the time you're heading to the clubhouse. The 997G—the golf-specific iteration of the classic 997 runner—doesn’t do that. It’s light. It’s bouncy. It actually feels like a sneaker.
The 997G vs. The Original: What’s Actually Different?
If you’re a "sneakerhead," you know the 997. It’s a staple of the 99x series, originally released in 1991. The lifestyle version is famous for that sleek, forward-leaning profile and the ENCAP midsole. When New Balance turned it into a golf shoe, they didn’t just slap some plastic nubs on the bottom and call it a day. They had to rebuild the chassis.
The most obvious change is the outsole. Instead of the standard rubber bottom, you get a waterproof microfiber leather upper paired with a rugged, spikeless traction pattern or, in some versions, a traditional soft-spike setup. The "Malbon" collaborations really put these on the map for the younger crowd, but even the standard inline releases are solid. You’ve got this Abzorb cushioning in the heel that absorbs impact—basically, it saves your knees if you’re a "walker" rather than a "cart" person.
The upper is synthetic, which might bum out the leather purists, but there’s a reason for it. Real leather gets heavy when it’s wet. It stretches. It stains. The microfiber used on the New Balance 997 golf shoes stays light and wipes clean with a damp towel. If you've ever spent thirty minutes scrubbing grass stains off white tumbled leather, you'll appreciate the low-maintenance vibe here.
Walking the Course: Is the Hype Real?
I’ve seen guys pull these out of the box and go straight to the first tee. Bold move. Usually, you need a break-in period for golf shoes to keep from getting blisters on your heels. New Balance uses a "NDurance" rubber compound in the high-wear areas, which makes the sole feel stiff enough for a golf swing but flexible enough for the walk.
💡 You might also like: Por qué los partidos de Primera B de Chile son más entretenidos que la división de honor
Is it the most stable shoe on the market? Probably not. If you have a 120-mph swing speed and you move like Bryson DeChambeau, you might find the lateral support a bit lacking compared to a heavy-duty FootJoy. But for the rest of us—the guys swinging 95 mph and just trying to keep it in the short grass—the stability is more than enough. The heel flare helps. It keeps you grounded.
The waterproof warranty is usually two years. That’s standard for premium shoes, but it’s nice to see New Balance standing behind it. I’ve walked through early morning frost and mid-afternoon rain showers in these, and my socks stayed dry. That’s the real test. Style is great, but wet feet ruin a round faster than a triple bogey on a par 3.
Breaking Down the Comfort Tech
- Abzorb Midsole: This is the same stuff they use in their high-end running shoes. It’s a blend of isoprene rubber and proprietary foams. It’s designed to resist "compression set," which is just a fancy way of saying the foam won't go flat after three months of use.
- CUSH+ Insole: It's soft. Very soft. It feels like stepping onto a yoga mat every time you slide your foot in.
- NDurance Rubber: This is on the outsole. It’s a highly durable compound that prevents the "nubs" from wearing down if you wear them on the pavement or in the parking lot.
What Most People Get Wrong About New Balance Golf
A lot of people think New Balance is just the "dad shoe" brand. And yeah, they own that space. But their golf division is actually run under a licensing agreement with a company called Callaway Golf Footwear. That’s a huge detail people miss. They aren’t just making sneakers with spikes; they are using the biomechanical expertise of one of the biggest names in golf to ensure the shoes actually work during a swing.
There’s a misconception that spikeless shoes—like some versions of the 997G—can’t handle wet hills. I’ve slipped more in expensive "Tour" spikes than I have in these. The pressure-mapping they did on the outsole puts the grip exactly where you shift your weight. It’s smart engineering.
Why You Might Hate Them (Nuance Matters)
Look, these aren't perfect. If you have extremely wide feet, you need to be careful. While New Balance is famous for offering multiple widths, the 997 silhouette is naturally a bit narrower through the midfoot. If you buy the standard "D" width and you've got "2E" feet, you’re going to have a bad time.
📖 Related: South Carolina women's basketball schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
Also, the tongue is a bit thin. Some people like a plush, padded tongue. The 997G keeps it skinny to save weight and maintain that retro-runner look. If you tie your laces super tight, you might feel a bit of "lace bite" across the top of your foot. It's a trade-off for the aesthetic.
The Style Factor: Off-Course Versatility
One of the biggest selling points for the New Balance 997 golf shoes is that you can actually wear them to the grocery store after your round without looking like a dork. You don't have that "click-clack" sound of metal or hard plastic spikes on the tile floor.
The colorways are generally better than the competition, too. You get those classic New Balance greys, navy blues, and forest greens. They look like shoes, not equipment. In an era where "golf fashion" is becoming "streetwear," these are the gold standard.
Real-World Performance Metrics
I've talked to club pros who have switched to these for their long days on the lesson tee. When you’re standing on your feet for eight hours, you stop caring about "maximum torque" and start caring about "can I feel my toes?"
The feedback is almost always the same:
👉 See also: Scores of the NBA games tonight: Why the London Game changed everything
- Excellent arch support for flat-footed golfers.
- Better-than-average breathability for a waterproof shoe.
- The microfiber leather doesn't crack as easily as cheap PVC.
Final Practical Advice for Potential Buyers
If you’re thinking about picking up a pair of New Balance 997 golf shoes, don't just order your Nike size. New Balance tends to run a tiny bit larger in the toe box compared to Nike or Adidas. I’d recommend going down a half-size if you like a snug, "locked-in" feel for your golf swing.
Also, check the model number carefully. There is a "997G" (spiked) and a "997SL" (spikeless). The SL is great for dry climates and casual rounds, but if you play in the Pacific Northwest or early mornings in the UK, get the spiked version. You’ll need the extra bite on those slippery side-hill lies.
Keep a magic eraser in your bag. The white midsoles on these look incredible when they are clean, but they pick up dirt quickly. A thirty-second wipe-down after your round will keep them looking new for years.
The reality is that golf is changing. It's becoming less formal and more about the experience. These shoes reflect that. They are built for the person who wants to play 18, grab a beer, and not have to change their shoes in the parking lot. They are functional, they are stylish, and most importantly, they don't treat your feet like an afterthought.
Next Steps for Your Feet
- Measure your foot width using a Brannock device before ordering; if you're between widths, New Balance’s "Wide" options are a lifesaver.
- Decide between the SL (spikeless) for versatility or the spiked version for maximum traction in wet conditions.
- Check for the "Malbon" or "Stone Island" limited editions if you want something that will actually hold its value on the secondary market.
- Replace the stock laces with some high-quality waxed cotton ones if you want to elevate the "lifestyle" look of the shoe.