I've been playing for about 7 years since I was 11, have never worn golf shoes

[Iowa Hawkeye]

Am I pretty much alone here? Never used a glove until last season, my sr year in HS.

[TN94z]

I had a friend that would only play bare foot. Now this was just us golfing for fun but he would always play barefoot!. My cousin plays with no glove and I can't hardly play without a glove. I guess its just whatever feels comfortable.

[theballbites]

I had a friend that would only play bare foot. Now this was just us golfing for fun but he would always play barefoot!. My cousin plays with no glove and I can't hardly play without a glove. I guess its just whatever feels comfortable.

That's gotta hurt! i tried playing without gloves and it wasn't a good experience, but BAREFOOT? thats crazy! haha..nice

[Uber$winG]

I can see someone playing golf in sneakers, maybe even Birkenstocks (as is so often the case in crunchy Colorado). I can even imagine playing a round without a golf glove, but playing barefoot… That’s simply hippy insanity at its best - especially with all the goose guano, casual water, and fertilizers on the grounds of the course. That’s a good way to get Schistosomiasis.

[flopdarock]

a buddy of mine goes shoeless at the range... but never on the course...
i cant play without decent shoes... even sneakers cause me to slip an slide... i need some kinda cleat type traction... i can give or take a glove... but my hands sweat so i usually have gloves

[clubhousehero]

I used to play in dress shoes and didn't mind it. I actually hit the ball pretty good because i couldn't get too crazy with my lower body. I had to keep a smooth tempo and weight transfer or else i would slip.

As for a glove,i have one in my bag incase i sweat alot or it is raining but i prefer to not wear one. Thats just how i've always been. I never wore batting gloves in baseball either. I just like to feel whats in my hands no matter what it is.

[Prairie Golfer]

I always played in just tennis shoes myself. I don't slip, so why spend the extra money? Considering the chemicals on the grass at golf courses, it would be insane to play barefoot. My hands are usually very dry so I don't use a glove.

[jojoampt]

I cant stand to play in anything but golf shoes. Not only that, but i clean the hell out of them after every round.. even though i know that after the first two holes of the next round (in winter) they will be filthy! Its just something psychological with me.... I have to start the round with freshly cleaned shoes and clubs or I just dont feel right.

[Khalua10]

I have to start the round with freshly cleaned shoes and clubs or I just dont feel right.

Thats me exactly. Cant stand to have dirty golf shoes, my shoes always look brand new. I've always believed if you look good, you'll feel good, therefore you'll play good...I am a stickler about having my things clean such as shoes and clubs, as you said, psychological thing I guess...

[jcorfive]

I played barefoot for a round one time. I brought my dad's golf shoes with me because I did not have any. However, they were about 2 sizes too small and about halfway down the first fairway I had to take them off because of the pain. I loved it. The grass felt wonderful under my feet, especially on the greens. Try walking barefoot on a sun warmed green once or twice. Its nice.

The point about the random goose poop popping up is a good one to bring up, however. I didn't even think of that!

[Iowa Hawkeye]

I played barefoot for a round one time. I brought my dad's golf shoes with me because I did not have any. However, they were about 2 sizes too small and about halfway down the first fairway I had to take them off because of the pain. I loved it. The grass felt wonderful under my feet, especially on the greens. Try walking barefoot on a sun warmed green once or twice. Its nice.

I've napped on a green before. Course was closed but the sup was our golf coach's brother so he let me and a buddy on one day. Laid down and took a 20 minute nap on 9. There was a nice ridge to use for a pillow.

[Sherlockian]

Golf Shoes, I can take em or leave em. I quit swinging as hard as I used to, and can't tell any difference with or without. I usually walk the local public courses, so I wear my Nike running shoes and they do just fine. They actually help me stay more on the balls of my feet, instead of hanging back on my heels. At my favorite private(actually semi), golf shoes are required and must be clean, so I keep a pair to wear.

[squaddie]

I had a friend that would only play bare foot. Now this was just us golfing for fun but he would always play barefoot!. My cousin plays with no glove and I can't hardly play without a glove. I guess its just whatever feels comfortable.

Sam Snead used to prefer to play barefoot, which he talks about in his autobiographical book, "The Education of a Golfer". In the 1942 Augusta Masters Championship Snead, "...played two of the toughest holes barefoot and birdied both." (quoting from the book, page 16). The other players complained his barefoot play was undignified, so he had to put his shoes back on. Snead believed footwork is a big overlooked factor in a good golf swing. He grew up spending most of the time outdoors barefoot so I guess that's how he picked up on that while learning his swing.

[IcemanYVR]

I can play without a glove, and I usually do in the drizzle or light rain.

Fred Couples used to play without a glove (I don't know if he still does)... he couldn't afford them growing up as a teenager, and I guess he just kept playing that way.