Does anyone remember this guy from the Big Break II? Remember the guy who always played without shoes? What a goof, Right?I guess the real question is are you allowed to play a round of golf with no shoes on? Are golf shoes required in the game of golf during play? Well the answer to the second question is no, as far as Getting to Scratch can determine. You don’t need to have regulation golf shoes to play a round of golf on almost all golf courses. Now I’m sure there is a course out there that requires them but most all courses allow you to play in some type of sneakers, or maybe your penny loafers if that’s all you have.
A lot of course do require soft spikes if you are going to wear some sort of spiked golf shoe. Those metal spikes really do a number on the greens.
As for playing the game barefoot. If you don’t see a sign that says no shirt, no shoes, no service out on the course, Getting to Scratch would imagine that it’s alright for you to go ahead and let those dogs breathe. Sam Snead used to play practice rounds without shoes on, and Charles Howell as well. Playing without shoes on makes you keep your lower body from moving around a lot because you have less stability in your bare feet.
A proper swing should have little movement from about your knees down and you should try and restrict movement as much as possible. Going barefoot at the tee forces your body to slow down because you are not used to the easy rotation of your bare feet. This also helps build muscle in your feet creating a more stable swing should you go back to wearing your Footjoys.
Next time out at the range try it out and you might just move towards a more stable swing yet. For more information on the guy from Big Break II that played barefoot check out The Big Break II website at the Golf Channel.
