New Balance Men's 997 Golf Shoe Review: comfy, grippy, and properly waterproof

I’ve been playing with the New Balance Men’s 997 Golf Shoe (Navy/White, size 9 UK) for a few rounds now, and the short version is this: they feel more like comfy running trainers than stiff golf shoes. If you’re used to older leather golf shoes that chew up your feet on the first walk, this is a different story. They’re clearly built for comfort and all‑day use rather than that super rigid, traditional golf feel.

On the course, I’ve worn them in mixed conditions: one dry, warm round, one early‑morning dew fest, and one light drizzle day. No break‑in blisters, no hotspots around the heel, and my socks stayed dry. That already puts them ahead of quite a few cheaper golf shoes I’ve tried that claim to be waterproof but start leaking around the toes after a couple of wet rounds.

They use New Balance’s Abzorb midsole and a CUSH+ insole, which in practice just means the shoe feels cushioned without being bouncy. You don’t sink into them like memory foam slippers, but you do feel less impact on long walks between holes. Traction is handled by FastTwist cleats, so it’s a proper spiked shoe, not a spikeless hybrid pretending to do both jobs.

Overall, my first impression is pretty positive: comfortable from day one, solid grip, and actually waterproof. It’s not a cheap knockabout shoe, but it’s also not at the super premium price level. If you walk your rounds and care more about comfort and dry feet than looking like a tour pro, this model is worth a serious look. It’s not perfect, but it gets the basics right.

In terms of value, these sit in that mid‑range golf shoe bracket. They’re not bargain‑basement cheap, but they’re also not in the top luxury price tier. For what you’re paying, you’re getting a proper waterproof shoe, a comfortable midsole with Abzorb and CUSH+, and a spiked outsole with replaceable cleats. Compared to some big‑name models that charge more and still feel stiff or less comfortable, this feels like a fair deal.

What you’re mainly paying for here is comfort and practical performance rather than fancy materials. The synthetic leather won’t impress leather purists, but it does keep water out and cleans easily. If you wanted full‑grain leather that ages nicely and looks like a dress shoe, you’d be looking at a higher price bracket and probably sacrificing some of the trainer‑like comfort you get with these. For most casual to regular golfers, this trade‑off makes sense.

Compared to cheaper, no‑name golf shoes I’ve tried, the difference is obvious: better cushioning, more consistent sizing, and more trustworthy waterproofing. Compared to high‑end FootJoy or Adidas models, you might lose a bit of premium feel and maybe some breathability tricks, but you’re also spending less. If you walk a lot and just want your feet to stay happy and dry, the cost per round will likely feel reasonable.

Overall, I’d say the New Balance 997 Golf offers good value for money if your priorities are comfort, grip, and waterproofing over luxury looks. It’s not the cheapest way to get on the course, but it’s a sensible middle ground: you’re paying enough to get something reliable, without diving into the very expensive options that don’t always feel that much better on your feet.

Design‑wise, these 997 golf shoes lean heavily toward the sporty trainer look. If you’ve seen New Balance lifestyle or running shoes, this is in the same family: chunky white midsole, clean lines, and a big “N” logo on the side. On the course, they look modern but not loud. I’ve worn them with both shorts and trousers, and they don’t look out of place either way. If you prefer the old‑school saddle shoe look, this won’t scratch that itch, but if you like trainers, you’ll probably like these.

The shape is quite practical. The toe box is rounded and not super pointy, which I personally prefer because it means less rubbing on the sides after a few hours of walking. The heel cup is reasonably firm, so your heel doesn’t slide around, but it’s not rock hard. The lacing system is just regular eyelets, no BOA dial or fancy locking system. It works fine: you can adjust tension across the foot easily, and it holds through the round. I never had to re‑tie them mid‑round, which is something that annoys me with some softer‑tongue shoes.

On the bottom, you’ve got the NDurance rubber outsole with pockets for the FastTwist 3.0 Pulsar cleats. The pattern of the rubber plus the cleats gives you plenty of points of contact with the ground. I noticed it especially on sidehill lies; you don’t feel like you’re standing on six big spikes, it’s more spread out. The downside is that walking on hard surfaces like car parks or clubhouse tiles is a bit noisy and clicky, like most spiked shoes. That’s normal, but if you were hoping for a quiet spikeless feel, this isn’t that.

Overall, I’d call the design practical and modern rather than flashy. It’s clearly aimed at people who like the comfort and look of trainers but still want a proper spiked sole. Nothing about the design really annoyed me, but it’s also not something you’ll stare at and admire. It just looks like a solid golf shoe that blends in and does its job.

Comfort is the strongest point of the New Balance 997 Golf, at least for me. I walked full 18‑hole rounds straight out of the box with no break‑in pain and no blisters. The combination of the Abzorb midsole and the CUSH+ insole gives a cushioned, slightly springy feel underfoot. After a long walk, my feet felt less beaten up than in my older, stiffer leather shoes. If you usually ride in a buggy, you might not notice as much, but if you walk a lot, it’s a big plus.

The 10 mm drop (heel higher than the forefoot) feels pretty natural, similar to most running or training shoes. I never felt like I was leaning forward or back unnaturally. The midsole has enough firmness that you still feel stable during the swing – it’s not like standing on a soft mattress. I could plant my lead foot in the downswing without feeling any wobble. Around the heel, padding is decent without being overstuffed. My heel stayed locked in and didn’t slip, which is usually where I get blisters if a shoe is badly designed.

Breathability is okay but not outstanding. Because of the waterproof upper, it doesn’t vent like a mesh running shoe. On a cooler or mild day, no problem at all. On a warm, humid round, my feet felt a bit warm by the back nine, but not soaked or gross. If you play in very hot climates, you might want something more ventilated for summer and keep these for spring, autumn, and wet days. The fit is slightly roomy, especially in the forefoot, which I liked, but if you have a very narrow foot you might find it a bit loose unless you tighten the laces a lot.

Overall, I’d say the comfort level is high for a golf shoe in this category. It genuinely feels like wearing a pair of decent trainers with spikes on. It’s not perfect – breathability could be better – but in terms of cushioning and not destroying your feet over 18 holes, it does the job very well. If comfort is top of your list, this model is worth considering.

The upper is described as waterproof microfiber leather, which basically means it’s a synthetic leather built to keep water out. In the hand, it feels smoother and a bit stiffer than soft real leather, but not like cheap plastic. After a few rounds, it has creased a bit across the toe area, but nothing extreme and no cracking so far. It wipes clean pretty easily – I’ve just used a damp cloth after muddy rounds and it comes up fine. For a golf shoe that might see wet fairways and occasional rough scrambling, that’s handy.

Inside, you’ve got the CUSH+ insole and some natural rubber in the lining. The insole feels like a medium‑soft foam: more cushioning than a basic flat insert, but not so soft that you sink into it. I could feel some arch support, but it’s on the mild side. If you need serious orthopedic support, you’ll probably still want your own insoles. The lining fabric around the heel and tongue feels smooth and hasn’t rubbed or pilled yet. No loose threads or cheap stitching visible after normal use.

The outsole is full rubber with the FastTwist cleat system. The rubber itself feels fairly tough; it’s not that soft, squishy kind that wears down after a few walks on concrete. After a few rounds, the edges of the lugs still look sharp. The Pulsar cleats are standard plastic spikes – they bite into the turf well and are removable with the usual cleat tool. Replacement should be easy since it’s a common system.

Overall, the materials feel decent for the price range. You’re not getting premium full‑grain leather, but you are getting a waterproof synthetic upper that doesn’t feel flimsy. If you want something that looks and ages like leather dress shoes, this won’t do that. But if you care more about easy cleaning, durability, and staying dry, the material choice makes sense. I’d rate the build quality as pretty solid: no glue marks, no weird smell, and everything feels put together properly out of the box.

Durability is always hard to judge long term, but after several rounds there are some early signs. The upper still looks in good shape: creases across the toe where the foot bends, but no cracking or peeling. The stitching around the toe cap and sides is intact, no loose threads. I’ve cleaned them by just wiping with a damp cloth, even though the listing says machine wash is possible. Personally, I wouldn’t throw golf shoes with spikes in a washing machine unless they’re in a really bad state.

The outsole and cleats are holding up well. The rubber lugs show very minimal wear, and the Pulsar cleats still look sharp. I’ve walked a fair amount on hard surfaces (car park, paths, clubhouse) and they haven’t worn down noticeably yet. Because the cleats are removable, you can swap them out when they eventually dull, which extends the life of the shoe a lot compared to fixed‑spike or spikeless designs. As long as New Balance keeps using the FastTwist standard, finding replacements should be straightforward.

Inside the shoe, the insole has kept its shape so far. No flattening or weird lumps. The heel lining hasn’t worn through or gone fuzzy, which is usually where cheaper shoes start to fail first. The waterproofing has also stayed consistent across rounds – still no leaks, even when walking through wet patches. Obviously, time will tell how they hold up after a season or two, but early signs are positive.

Overall, I’d rate the durability as promising for the price. You’re not buying a tank, but you’re also not buying something that feels disposable. If you look after them a bit – clean them after muddy rounds, don’t bake them on a radiator – I’d expect them to last a good couple of seasons of regular weekend golf. There are more premium, heavier‑duty options out there, but for a comfortable, fairly light shoe, the build seems solid.

On the course, the 997s do the basics well: traction, stability, and keeping your feet dry. The FastTwist 3.0 Pulsar cleats bite into the turf properly. I tested them on damp fairways, slightly muddy rough, and a couple of wet tee boxes. No slipping during the swing, even when I went after the driver a bit harder. On sidehill lies, the combination of rubber lugs and spikes held better than my older spikeless shoes, where I sometimes feel my trail foot sliding a touch.

Stability during the swing is decent. The midsole is cushioned but not floppy, so you can still push off the ground without feeling like your foot is rolling over the edge. The base of the shoe is wide enough to feel planted, without looking like clown shoes. I didn’t notice any twisting or weird flex in the sole, even when hitting from uneven lies. For walking, the NDurance outsole flexes enough with your foot that you don’t get that stiff, clunky feeling you sometimes get with very rigid golf shoes.

Waterproofing has been solid so far. I’ve walked through wet grass with standing dew and played in a light drizzle, and my socks stayed dry. No seeping around the toe area, which is where cheap waterproof shoes usually start to fail first. Obviously, I haven’t put them through months of winter abuse yet, but for new shoes, they handle moisture properly. Just be aware that waterproof plus synthetic upper means a bit less breathability, as mentioned earlier.

If I had to nitpick, the only performance downside is that on very firm, dry ground, the spikes can feel a bit sharp underfoot when you’re walking on paths or car parks. That’s typical of spiked shoes though, not a unique problem here. Overall, they perform like a proper golf shoe should: good grip, stable platform, and reliable waterproofing, without feeling like a brick on your foot.

Out of the box, the New Balance 997 Golf Shoes look and feel like a crossover between a running shoe and a classic golf shoe. The Navy/White colourway is pretty simple: dark blue upper, white midsole, and a typical golf outsole with the removable Pulsar cleats. No flashy chrome bits, no weird neon accents. If you like low‑key gear that doesn’t scream for attention, this fits that brief. They come in a standard New Balance cardboard box, nothing fancy, no extra laces or accessories – just the shoes and the usual tags.

The first thing I did was weigh them in my hand and compare them to my older leather FootJoy pair. The 997s feel noticeably lighter. The spec says about 11.9 ounces, and in practice they don’t drag your feet down during a full 18. The toe box looks slightly more trainer‑like than a narrow dress‑shoe style golf shoe, so if you’ve got wider feet or you hate that pinched feeling on the little toes, that’s a plus. They sit fairly low around the ankle, so they’re definitely a low‑top, not a boot‑style waterproof shoe.

Fit‑wise, they’re listed as true to size, but I’d say they run just a touch generous, which lines up with some buyers saying they sized down half a size. I’m normally a 9 in New Balance trainers and the 9 here fits, but if you like a very snug, locked‑in feel, you might consider going down half a size. There’s enough room for a slightly thicker golf sock without feeling cramped.

Overall, the presentation is functional and straightforward. No nonsense packaging, no fake “premium” experience, just a pair of shoes that look ready to go straight onto the course. If you want that fancy unboxing moment, this isn’t it. But if you just care about what’s on your feet, you’ll probably be fine with how stripped‑back everything is.