Shoes for Hitting off Turf Mats

[Brenkj]

The driving range at my club is turf mats Tuesday - Thursday, then grass Friday - Sunday.   I hit at the range most days.   Recently I've noticed I'm getting some soreness on the outside of my left (lead) foot - radiating up to my lower ankle.   I'm wondering whether that might be because the soft spikes on my golf shoes get hung up on the turf mats, causing too much resistance when I swing/follow-through.     Any thoughts on whether I'd be better off wearing just regular athletic shoes for hitting on the turf mats?    Thanks.

[Bye]

I only wear spikeless shoes now anyway, but before this I had an old pair specifically for going to the driving range. It’s all you need from a mat. Trainers or sneakers don’t give enough support.

 

The other thing to look at is your socks. Get a pair of the anti blister ones as most of the issues with new shoes or sores from golf shoes comes from the socks bunching or slipping as you move.

 

A friend gave me a pair on anyway day, and it’s all I wear now for golf.

[Sub_Roc]

Because range mats don't allow much "sink in" compliance, I wear thinner soled FJ M project spikeless for practice and also testing clubs at the store indoors.  My FJ DryJoys tend to sit a little higher on the mat and can mess with strike feel.

Edited December 1, 2021 by simonizer

[Chief Penguin]

I generally always hit off mats (almost no grass ranges in WA) and last summer I bought a pair of NikeCourt (actual) tennis shoes and they really gave me what I was looking for in terms of structure. They don’t roll at all when I torque my foot or push laterally - very pleased with them.  

[darkhelmet]

6 hours ago, Bye said:

I only wear spikeless shoes now anyway, but before this I had an old pair specifically for going to the driving range. It’s all you need from a mat. Trainers or sneakers don’t give enough support.

 

The other thing to look at is your socks. Get a pair of the anti blister ones as most of the issues with new shoes or sores from golf shoes comes from the socks bunching or slipping as you move.

 

A friend gave me a pair on anyway day, and it’s all I wear now for golf.

 

Just out of curiosity, what, exactly, is "anyway day"?  Tried to go the google route so as not to waste anyone's time, but nothing came up.

[Abh159]

My club is mats only in the winter so I'll be hitting off those from now until April. I wear spikeless shoes exclusively (Adidas 360SL to be exact), and I've never had issues with foot pain in those.

 

Occasionally I'll have some slippage, but I chalk that up to just something that is going to happen when hitting off a mat. 

[ChipNRun]

11 hours ago, Brenkj said:

Any thoughts on whether I'd be better off wearing just regular athletic shoes for hitting on the turf mats?

 

Caution: not all athletic shoes are created equal. A shoe that's good for running had very little lateral support, which could also cause soreness, or at the very least more sway on takeaway and followthough. About four years ago, the golf mags and blogs were ablaze with stories which shouted don't wear running shoes!

 

If you're not wearing golf shoes, consider either cross-training shoes or service-worker light shoes (many service-worker shoes have a have small, 1/8" diameter nubs covering the sole, or similar tread patterns).

 

You want something that will give you lateral support and tread traction, without damaging the greens.

 

Case in point: In 2017, I was a caddie at a Symetra Tour event (LPGA developmental). In Round 1, I wore a year-old set of Adidas running shoes. Noticed lots of lateral instability as I went up and down hills. When my player and I took a shortcut crossing a dry spot in a creek, I felt a snap in my right shoe and a lumpy feeling underfoot. After round, it turned out the firm liner of the shoe sole had torn in two places from side pressure of the rocks. I had a rub blister on my right instep, and the right shoe was trashed.

 

In Round 2, I wore my pair of New Balance cross-training shoes, and things were fine. Excellent cushioning and lateral support.

[lefthack]

I wear my flat soled skate shoes for range practice. All the ranges here are mat's, so my golf shoes stay in the truck. 

[Marty86]

Either my spikeless Nike golf shoes or just some low to the ground trainers.

[Togatown22]

I keep it simple - spikeless golf shoes: Puma Ignite, Jordan golf trainers, Jordan ADG 3's, FJ Pro SL's, an older pair of Adicross Bounce, etc.

I have a buddy who loves his True Linkswear's, I've not tried them yet.  

 

[PEI_Golfer]

I wear the same shoes I play in regardless.  I want consistency in height and feel.  Wearing runners are great as they are comfortable, but unless you also play in them, I see it as a bit detrimental. 

 

I found that going from thin soled shoes to my normal ones can vary by 1/2" or more because of the added cushioning and heel support, so don't want to groove a swing in thinner soled shoes only to wonder WTF is happening when that swing vanishes on course.

[Davidv]

Sorry I am at a loss for words after reading some of the replies. 

[Bye]

4 hours ago, darkhelmet said:

 

Just out of curiosity, what, exactly, is "anyway day"?  Tried to go the google route so as not to waste anyone's time, but nothing came up.

Lol, I am surprised you were brave enough to google it. 

[Billfitz]

Walking shoes when on my backyard mat. I wear golf shoes for grip on damp grass and uphill/downhill/crosshill lies. My mat doesn't have those. 😏

[btyh]

I'm in regular shoes if I go to a Mat only driving range. Adidas ultraboost or nmd. Very comfortable. 

[Tupperwolf]

Vans Ultrarange.  I'm a convert.  I'll wear them to play golf once it's dry enough this upcoming summer.  I read a post somewhere here recommending them and I have to echo - great shoes, very comfy and lightweight, supportive and come in plenty of different designs to suit any taste.

[sheppy335]

I wear just running shoes with no issues on turf mats, if a grass range i wear a older pair on spikeless shoes.