[GDO Survey Report] Is Golf Decided by Your 'Feet'? Almost Everyone Feels the Effects of Shoes

Golf Digest Online Inc. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President: Shinya Ishizaka; hereinafter GDO) conducted a survey on golf shoes and received responses from 6,320 GDO club members.

[Key Survey Results] - Almost everyone agrees that golf shoes affect fatigue. - 87% feel the impact on swing stability, and 64% believe it affects their scores. - Higher-scoring players prioritize functionality when choosing shoes.

1. Golf shoes strongly influence 'fatigue reduction' 96.6% of respondents feel the impact on fatigue. In this survey, 69.2% answered that shoes have a 'very significant impact' on fatigue, and when including those who said 'somewhat,' almost everyone feels the effect. Among foot-related concerns, 'getting tired easily' was the most common at 41.3%. Regarding elements sought in shoes, 81.9% prioritize 'functionality' over 'fashion.' 'Comfort' was the most important factor at 32.6%, significantly higher than price (15.0%) and design (11.2%).

2. About 90% say it affects 'swing stability' Regarding the impact on the swing, about 87% answered that it has a 'very significant' or 'somewhat' impact on stability. Regarding the impact on scores, 64% of the total answered that it has an impact, suggesting that many golfers recognize that shoes can change their scores. A key feature of this survey is that more than half of the respondents feel the impact not only on the physical aspect of 'fatigue' but also on technical and performance aspects.

3. Advanced players tend to prioritize functionality It has become clear that advanced players place a higher priority on 'comfort' and functionality, while beginners tend to prioritize price and fatigue reduction. This survey reveals that many golfers feel the impact of shoes on their play and scores. Especially since this trend is prominent among advanced players, it suggests that focusing on shoes can help improve performance. Reviewing your footwear may be the first step toward not only swing stability but also better scores.

[Survey Overview] Period: Oct 7 - Oct 13, 2025 Method: Web survey Target: GDO club members Responses: 6,320