I've always been hesitant about buying any kind of shoe online but in the past I've seen some good deals on golf shoes on various different websites. Does anyone else purchase golf shoes online? Do you have any problems with them fitting correctly once you receive them?

Pink, I've bought shoes online several times. Often I try shoes on in the store to determine what models fit properly, then search for a "deal". I have bought some "blindly" just because they were so inexpensive I figured I'd take a chance. Only had an issue with one pair (Nike) which feel fine, but I found as I wore them during a round (walking) that the heel was a bit loose and rubbed the heck out of my socks. Frankly, I wouldn't have known that if I tried them on in the store, either.

Welcome to the site thepinkball. If it was me, I wouldn't buy ANY pair of shoes online, as there is no way of knowing how thay will fit. BUT, you can try on a bunch of golf shoes at a golf shop, and FIND OUT what shoes fit YOUR feet that way, and then buy online if you like. Just make sure you buy the EXACT same shoe you try on, as different styles of the same make will not all be the same fit. I happen to like FootJoy shoe, but they use I believe 15 different LASTS, for their shoe line. A LAST, is the form they use to build the shoe to fit. Problem come in when a shoe made to one LAST doesn't fit my foot the same as a different pair of shoes of the same SIZE fits me. I had this problem a few years ago when I got a pair of tradisional style shoes that were the same size and 3 pairs of Athletic style shoes I had. They felt fine in the store, but killed my feet after walking in them for 9 holes on the course.

Best thing to do with buying golf shoes is to try on a few pairs, and when you find a pair that feels like a good fit. go over to the hitting area in the store and try hitting a bunch of golf balls while wearing the shoes. This will give you a good idea of how they will feel on your feet out on the course hitting balls and walking for 5 or more miles.

Don, thank you for the extensive information. I had no idea that shoes were so complex. I'll take that into consideration when I decide to buy shoes soon.

Aimee, good idea about trying them on first in the store. I will try and head out this weekend to find what I like before purchasing online.

The other factor, other than fit, is material.
I won't wear shoes that have artificial leather/pleather/vinyl uppers. They just don't breathe and it's pretty uncomfortable in hot weather. If you see a pair of shoes that are considerably less, they probably have "man made" uppers.
Mesh fabric shoes (more of an athletic style) are great for the dog days of summer...but not so good if you step in puddles! I have a couple of pairs of shoes that I rotate, since I walk almost all the time and like to switch them up for even wear.

Don, thanks for this info. I have a pair of FJ, and assumed that I could order them online and have them fit. This may haved saved me some hassle.

I have ordered online, but only from zappos.com, which offers free shipping and free return shipping. They are not much for good sales, but the service has always been great. They have golf shoes also.

Laney; Check with FJ, and ask them what LAST your model of shoe is built on, and what other models use the same LAST. That what I had to do with the one pair I got that hurt my feet. Talked to a tech rep, and they had me ship them my shoes, and they sent me a new pair built on the same last as the 3 pairs I had that didn't hurt.

Thanks, Don.

Laney, there are fewer types of lasts used on women's shoes, FYI. My feet aren't that sensitive to notice that kind of difference, I just look for models that don't have pointy toes so they don't get squished.

I didn't make it out to look at shoes over the weekend as it was insanely busy out there. I stayed home to avoid the 4th of July crowds.

I hate squished up toes. There's nothing worse than walking all day with toes that are on top of one another!

It seems like the shoes that are "athletic inspired" have more roomy toe boxes...Look at Adidas and Nike. Bite is another brand I've worn for a couple of years which are nice and roomy in the toe box, but they are hard to find in the stores (I buy them online).

I don't buy any shoes online either. I do agree that if you went to a store and found the shoes there you could try them on to know the size. I take a different size of shoe depending on the brand and type of shoe. I just wouldn't trust not trying them on first. Of course it's a personal preference.