Molly McMulligan’s FAB 5: New Shoes, Anyone?

Styles of this season and next for shoe shoppers and Fall Fitness Finishers 

The “SALE” signs are sprouting up in pro shops all over Colorado, and many golfers will be irresistibly drawn to the stacks of shoe boxes bearing markdowns. Here’s a look at five of the top hoofers of 2026, with an eye toward 2027.

A Colorado Hero’s Fave: If you’ve ever considered designating one pair of shoes for your big events and tournaments, you might consider Wyndham Clark’s winners. According to Golf Magazine, he’s worn Footjoy’s leather, waterproof and spiked Premiere Series Field model since 2023, and it’s still available – now even in a spikeless option.

A Colorado Store’s Fave: At Lenny’s Golf and Ski, the trend is to take a step beyond the Field to the more ornate and sophisticated looking Marquis. “What is old/retro is now new again,” says owner Nick Nosewicz. The Marquis has more styling and trim than the minimalist Field, making it ideal for golf fashion plates seeking structure and support.

A Colorado Starter Shoe: With the help of Golfkicks, that would be your sneakers! Three pals started the brand in a Denver garage while messing with ways to turn their everyday athletic kicks into golf shoes simply by adding spikes. Seems like a practical option for newbies and, especially, kids who tend to need new shoes every year. Be sure to study the tutorials on the website before you puncture.

No. 1’s No. 1: Always reliable Adidas outfitted the European Solheim Cup team in shoes bearing their trademark three stripes. The U.S. Solheim Cup team, however, was unbeholden to any footwear brand. That freed world No. 1 Nelly Korda to wear her current Nikes of choice. Earlier this year, she told an interviewer she had begun favoriting shoes with higher soles, thinking this put her chest closer to the ground and gave her swing a steeper plane. Whatever works, right?

Fall Fitness Finisher: Walkers of 18 holes – and, for you Fall Fitness Finisher competitors, maybe even more – know better than to break in brand new shoes on the course. But Alma Mater Footwear is an innovative new option, with styles and sizing for both men and women, that boasts of technology so advanced it breaks the break-in barrier. In a nutshell, each shoe has a “slipper” midsole foam used in the world’s best running shoes, a spikeless “gripper” developed with gravel bike tire makers and a stability-providing “zipper” tying everything together. You won’t find these in Colorado shops yet, but consider them for gift-giving season and 2027: The online return policy is remarkably consumer friendly. 

Veteran journalist Susan Fornoff has written about golf for publications including the San Francisco Chronicle, ColoradoBiz magazine and her own GottaGoGolf.com. She provides the voice of “Molly McMulligan,” the CGA’s on-course consultant on golf for fun. Mr. McMulligan, Keith DuBay, is also an accomplished journalist and especially enjoys reviewing golf courses. Email the McMulligans at mollymcmulligan@gmail.com.