After years of pain, I finally found a great golf shoe

At GOLF.com, we come across all kinds of goodies. Here, we reveal some of our favorites from the past year.

Why this pair of golf shoes was the best thing I wore in 2024

In joy, there was pain.

Pain. Smushiness. With the latter, I’d be bleeding too, although some of it was of my own making, as I should have been a more vigilant nail clipper. A lot of information, I know. But I want you to fully understand the state in which I once walked.

And that is, I didn’t like golf shoes.

He hated them, honestly.

Of course, there are bigger concerns, but Google tells me I’m not alone either, as no amount of internet ink has been spared to tell you about the “Best Golf Shoes”. In the sport we all love, we only want to be mad about the three shots and slices and the lack of good beer in the beer cart. Our legs should be an afterthought, used primarily to keep us upright during a round.

And, of course, to start a table on the 19th hole, where a breakthrough came. I noticed that I was still wearing “the best thing I’ve worn in 2024″—what we’re calling this little year-end series—and they hadn’t immediately come off my feet after cleaning up on the 18th hole, like usually.

I didn’t do it NO you just hate these Allbirds Golf Shoes — It occurred to me to write this short ode to them.

For me, colors are stylish (although in full disclosure, I’m not a fashionista) – my pair is tan and gray, although I also like the combination of blue and brown, and mixing brown with white. The shoes also do their job – the rubber grip provides traction and its fabric provides protection against the elements. And the price? Affordable, I think, at least compared to some of the competition. Two of the models currently cost $145; three of them cost $87.

But most importantly here, they’re just plain comfortable, which shouldn’t be too surprising, as wearers of other Allbirds shoes – myself included – swear by their cushiony feel. Perhaps it is their greatest charm. However, I doubted it. Years of scarring can literally do that to you. Granted, I hadn’t tried all the golf shoes – and I’m sure there are others that equal or even surpass the Allbirds in feel – but I’d worn enough to temper expectations.

But here I am waxing poetic about them. And wearing them. For now.

To get into the spirit, I chose to link them as I typed this story. This is a photo of my happy feet (and my couch) at the top of this article.

Allbirds Golf Dashers

87 dollars

The wide forefoot complements full-motion stability in this naturally engineered golf shoe. This easy style transitions seamlessly from food to drink after the round and can help you overcome any rain (or sand trap) that comes your way.

Buy now

Before you go though, I want to share that I have another “best thing I’ve used in 2024”. I know, I know, best means one, but the more the merrier, right? Anyway, the second “thing” is the Cobra Darkspeed 3-wood, and I actually wrote about it earlier this year. The link to that article is hereor you can scroll immediately below for the specific 3-wood text.

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I don’t like 3-woods.

I feel like this is a safe, friendly, understanding space to clean. I just don’t like 3-woods. Of course, this has nothing to do with the club itself. And when it comes to 3s in other sports – 3-pointers, triples – I’m actually a big fan.

No, no, it’s a ‘me’ problem. Straight flames. Leftover hooks. And the glorious peaks. If you’ve ever wondered how some of those how-to videos on YouTube get thousands and thousands of views? Well, if you tag “How to make good contact with a freeway metal” on one, you’ll get 500,000 hits from me, most of them while you’re lying in bed, before the birds chirp, looking for for a magical move.

So this is a good place to start describe me. I’m ‘close’ but there are just a few loose ends. I play a nice draw, 230-240 yards, but my ball sometimes goes down and away. I hit a nice 155-, 160-yard 7-iron – but sometimes I screw it up. I’m crafty around the greens, usually with just a wedge – but I’m keen on a thin one.

And then there’s the whole 3-wood thing. To be honest, I have left the club completely. Went to 7-wood road. So, to sum it all up, I’m in that strange, almost golden place that 14-handicappers like me inhabit: not bad, not great – but also not just right.

Then the GOLF equipment gang wondered if I could try the latest and greatest from Cobra and I agreed.

Then Cobra mailed out the goods, their Darkspeed 2024 line of woods, hybrids and irons that give off some serious Batman vibes. They included a driver, a 7-wood, 4- and 6-hybrids, 5-, 7-, 8- and 9-irons plus a pitching wedge, and two putters (a blade and a mallet).

And, I can’t forget, a 3-wood, which I will talk about at the end.

…

And now the 3-wood.

I birdied my first, on the par-5 second hole at Pelham Bay.

I threw him a second ball.

I hit it high, about 10 yards right of the green, a 230-yard pop.

OK.

On the 4th hole, a sharp dogleg right, I rolled with it. It ended up being about 225 meters.

OK.

In no. 14, a dog got away, I took a drive to the left and into the higher grass and punched out to a spot about 230 yards away. The green was sitting against a beautiful, blue, late autumn sky. There was no noise. It was sublime.

Then I hit the 3-wood.

He got up. He was hanged. It has fallen. High stake, just off the green.

I stood there for a second. Got them all – I think I might like 3-woods again, or at least my Darkspeed X 3-wood.

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