SHOES FOR DISC GOLF
No matter where you are in the world, playing disc golf involves walking, absorbing rotational movements in various terrain and sometimes even running, everything adding up to the importance of protecting your feet. Making sure you have the right footwear for disc golf can make a big difference over time for your health.
Wearing the wrong footwear can lead to fatigue, discomfort and even injuries, suppressing the joyful experience on the disc golf course. It’s therefore important for us to bring up some of the topics about why you should have the right footwear for disc golf, so that your overall experience on the disc golf course is as joyful as possible.
MAY 22, 2024
DIFFERENT DISC GOLF SHOE MODELS
There are several different types of shoe models that provide different properties that disc golfers may prefer. We list some of the different shoe models that attract most disc golfers:
- Outdoor/hiking shoes: Many disc golfers prefer hiking shoes, or boots because of their utility in providing comfort, stability, grip and water resistance. Some may choose boots with higher ancle support while others prefer lower ancle shoes.
- Athletic shoes: Running shoes designed for running provides high comfort for your feet and are naturally built to travel distance, providing high stability and comfort at the same time. Running shoes are however built for forward motion, while disc golfers might seek more stability for rotational movement. Some disc golfers prefer cross-training shoes made for cross-training due to their wider range of mobility, providing a better all-round service as a disc golf shoe.
- Barefoot running shoes: Barefoot running shoes are built to have maximum contact with the ground, providing maximum feel with the ground while giving protection to objects that hurt to step on with your bare foot. Barefoot shoes might however provide less protection when it comes to giving support to absorb rotational forces from high power throws.
There are many more type of shoes that disc golfers might prefer over the above list. This might be because shoes for disc golf is much about personal preference, and some players choose to prioritize different properties, such as fit, comfort or performance.
A DISC GOLF SHOE FUNCTION AND PURPOSE MAY SHIFT
Keep in mind that when you’re buying shoes for disc golf, different shoe types can provide different utility depending on context.
For a course design with a lot of rough terrain, you would normally want robust and sturdy shoes, giving comfort and stability when walking amongst stock and stones. On the other side, a course with a lot of plain grass and fields, you want to optimize your connection with the ground to give that extra control when you throw.
As you see, there’s a large variety of different reasons adding up to which shoe type you want for disc golf. It becomes a complex matter if you have performance in mind. Next time you are about to head for the disc golf course, ask yourself the question – Why do I put these shoes on?
WHAT MARKS A GOOD PAIR OF DISC GOLF SHOES?
A good pair of disc golf shoes should have the following properties according to us:
- Support
- Comfort
- Durability
Disc golfers will however prioritize differently depending on preference and other variables. Each shoe type has their unique properties and it can leave many disc golfers in confusion about what to buy.
- Sport shoes are great at absorbing shock forces and have top long distance comfort, fitting good for grassy and plain courses
- Outdoor shoes have great durability and comfort at the same time, providing top protection in harsh weather and terrain.
WHAT SHOULD I THINK ABOUT WHEN BUYING DISC GOLF SHOES?
When buying shoes for disc golf, keep in mind that a high price does not always mean it’s high quality. Many brands seek to have high exclusivity and therefore add price to limit the availability from certain target groups.
This means that a higher price might not always be equal to high quality compared to some brands having considerably lower prices. To judge if a price is justified or not, you can always look at which country the shoes are made in or see if they are produced with sustainability in mind.
Next time you are about to buy new shoes to use for disc golf, do yourself a favor and think about the following:
- Which type of courses do I play most?
- Which type of shoe model fits my body and style best?
- What do I pay for? Brand or quality?
- Are the shoes produced with sustainability in mind?