I spent a few weeks researching golf shoes to find out which choices were the most suitable for people with plantar fasciitis (or PF). Of course, there were a bunch of pretty solid designs. But after having read through countless reviews and product descriptions, I’ve come to find that the humble, modestly priced DAWGS Spirit Lightweight Golf Shoe proves to be the ultimate choice if you’re struggling with plantar fasciitis.
Characterized by pain and discomfort towards the heel, plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. This occurs when the plantar fascia – a band that connects the heel to the toes – is irritated or injured. For the most part, treatment entails choosing the right shoes that reduce pressure and facilitate your step.
With a lightweight design that incorporates a smart massaging insole, the Spirit Lightweight Golf Shoe from DAWGS really comes out on top as the ultimate golf shoe if you’ve got a bad case of plantar fasciitis.
Now, why would you shell out for a pair of these DAWGS if there are far better, more popular brands out there? Find out with this complete review.
Lightweight Design That Doesn’t Burden the Feet
Heavy, bulky, clumsy designs that use hard, weighty materials can significantly worsen the pain caused by PF. This is one of the main reasons why the DAWGS Spirit makes such a smart choice.
Using a design that closely resembles the basic Crocssilhouette, the Spirit Lightweight Golf Shoe is about as light as it gets. The perforated synthetic uppers are pliable and forgiving. The one piece construction uses the same material all around, so there aren’t any bulky, clunky areas that could weigh down your feet.
Instant Massage While You’re On the Go
Some of the most effective products used to alleviate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis are manual foot massagers. So with that in mind, the company managed to incorporate some of that principle into the design. Thus, the DAWGS Spirit massaging footbed was created.
With small, soft projections covering the entire surface of the footbed, the shoe gives you an instant massage while you walk or stand. This helps improve circulation to the heel for faster healing, and also helps manage the pain associated with plantar fasciitis. To make the feature even more effective, the shoe was designed to be used without socks. That way, your feet can make direct contact with the footbed and maximize the benefits of its massaging surface.
Simple Design with an Intuitive Fit
One of the issues that most people have with the Crocs line up is the fact that they rarely ever provide enough support. That’s because the material combined with the simplistic design don’t really take the arches of the feet into consideration, thus the improper weight distribution inside the shoe.
Now, although it looks a lot like a Croc, the DAWGS Spirit is anything but lacking in the support department. The inside of the shoe features a prominent arch support topography that accommodates neutral arches in the best way possible. These reliable sections within the shoe provide substantial support and keep your feet in proper positioning all throughout the game. Outside the shoe, an adjustable Velcro strap moves over the uppers from the inner side to the outer side. This lets you achieve a custom fit to make the shoe even more comfortable for your specific preferences.
Comfortable for Extended Hours of Standing and Walking
Anyone who has ever played golf before knows that the game entails a lot of standing, waiting, and walking around. So with plantar fasciitis, it can become a challenge especially if your shoes weren’t technically designed to provide comfort for such a task.
The Spirit Lightweight Golf Shoe features an ultra comfortable design that promises to keep your feet feeling fresh and ache-free even after a whole game of golf. The shoes use a pliable synthetic material through and through. This provides a soft, conforming interior that makes every step effortless.
Knowing full well that the material can cause the overproduction of sweat, the design also incorporates a number of perforations around the uppers. This improves airflow to keep a cool, comfortable climate inside the shoes at all times. So they’re definitely impressive when it comes to maintaining a sweat-free environment.
But of course, taking into consideration the fact that not all golf courses will have that dry, well-packed soil and grass all around, the perforations start to become an issue. This is highlighted when you try to take your shoes out on a wet course and all that muddy mess makes its way to your feet through the holes in your shoes.
So, yes, there’s definitely a trade-off when it comes to the perforations. Sure, you could wear socks. But when that mud starts seeping through, even socks might become a bit of an inconvenience.
Superb Traction for the Perfect Swing
In a lot of ways, achieving the perfect swing when playing golf relies on how well your feet are planted in the ground. With a firm footing, you can generate a more powerful, more accurate swing.
Being that it is a golf shoe, the Spirit Lightweight makes sure to serve the purpose of traction while providing substantial comfort and support for people with plantar fasciitis. It does this by way of an effective tread design that uses a 9-stud configuration.
The molded rubber spikes underneath the shoes are particularly effective at maintaining a tight hold against the grass and soil, giving you that much needed oomf to swing your hardest. I also want to mention that because the outsoles are made of pretty much the same waterproof material that the rest of the shoe features, they’re exceptionally easier to clean compared to any other golf shoe you might find.
Durable One-Piece Construction for Long Term Use
Finally, I want to talk about how the DAWGS Spirit is probably one of the most durable shoes you’ll find for golfers. With its one-piece construction, there isn’t a lot that could fall off, wear out, or rip apart even if you subject the shoe to daily wear and tear on the course.
The material was basically developed for rough and tough conditions like mud and grass. So they’re very easy to maintain and clean, and they rarely ever give in to moisture damage the same way other shoes do. What’s more, because they’re waterproof, any residual mud, sweat, or moisture won’t lead to the development of foul odors. And in the unlikely event that they do, simply watering down the entire shoe can get it back in fresh-out-of-the-box condition in no time.
What’s Great About the DAWGS Spirit Lightweight Golf Shoe
- Lightweight design reduces the amount of effort and energy needed to navigate a course.
- Comfortable material cradles your feet and softly cushions each step to prevent pain.
- Supportive footbed topography keeps your arches in mind to achieve optimal weight distribution and balance.
- Textured footbed massages your feet as you walk and stand.
- Velcro strap lets you adjust for a custom fit.
- One-piece construction is durable and long lasting, able to withstand moisture, mud, and sweat.
- 9-stud treads are great at giving you aggressive traction against a wet, muddy course.
- Easy to on and off, perfect for users who want to enjoy quick, casual games on the daily.
What’s Not So Great
- Perforations can allow mud, soil, and grass to make its way into the shoe and to your feet or socks.
- Not exactly the most handsome looking shoes on the course.
Some Other Hot Picks
Are the DAWGS Spirit Golf Shoes not really doing it for you? Don’t sweat it – these two other hot picks might do just as fine for your plantar fasciitis.
Footjoy Hyperflex Golf Spike
Ultra pliable, soft, and supportive, theFootjoy Hyperflex Golf Spike is exactly what you need if you want freedom for your feet. The Flexgrid 2.0 uppers conform to the shape and movements of your feet, and the Fine Tuned Foam offers supercharged cushioning for an amazingly comfortable and responsive step.
On the overall, the shoes outperform a lot of other choices on the market by offering a lightweight design that simply works with your feet by allowing the most natural movements as possible. The only downside? Well, the shoe’s toe box isn’t quite as roomy as the DAWGS, and that could take a toll on your PF especially if you’ve got a wider toe span.
What’s Great About the Footjoy Hyperflex Golf Spike
- Soft, ultra pliable Flexgrid 2.0 uppers free your feet for a super comfortable step.
- Fine Tuned Foam provides superb responsiveness that pushes you into the next step minus the energy and effort.
- Impressive outsole design and studs are made to facilitate the twisting motion of your swing to generate more force.
- Heel Optimized Performance Stabilizer cradles your heels to alleviate the pain and discomfort of PF.
What’s Not So Great
- A lot more expensive than other picks, costing as much as 5 times the price of the DAWGS.
- Grid design on the uppers can collect mud and dirt, making them extra hard to clean.
- Toe box isn’t the roomiest, so it can be pretty uncomfortable for people with wider toe spans.
Adidas Tech Response 4.0 Golf Shoe
Boasting microfiber leather and textile uppers combined with a synthetic sole, the Adidas Tech Response 4.0 Golf Shoe is the best pick if you want a shoe that comes from those popular athletic footwear brands.
For the most part, the shoe outshines other choices when it comes to responsiveness – a feature that Adidas has basically perfected throughout the years. This makes it a superb selection for people with plantar fasciitis as responsiveness reduces the pressure on the sensitive areas of the feet.
While its bouncy feel reduces a lot of the energy you would spend on walking, the Tech Response 4.0 does fall short when it comes to pliability. Lacking flexibility, the uppers can limit natural foot movements which could be a problem for some.
What’s Great About the Adidas Tech Response 4.0 Golf Shoe
- Responsive soles reduce energy use, letting you step with less effort.
- Premium tread design features a 6-stud configuration for a stable and steady stance.
- Fits true to size, giving you great support all around, preventing further injury.
What’s Not So Great
- Not as pliable or forgiving as would be ideal for people with plantar fasciitis.
- Feels heavy on the feet.
The Bottom Line
The DAWGS Spirit Lightweight Golf Shoe is hands-down the best purchase you can make if you want to continue playing golf without aggravating your plantar fasciitis. The simple design, despite a few minor flaws, offers premium performance while assisting your feet back to optimal health.
If it’s not quite up your alley, the Footjoy Hyperflex Golf Spike and the Adidas Tech Response 4.0 Golf Shoes are also pretty solid choices. Offering superb performance on the course, these shoes also help in the alleviation of the pain and discomfort that plantar fasciitis might cause. So make sure to check them out to find the best purchase for your preferences.
