Do You Wear Golf Shoes in a Golf Simulator?

No simulator and no hitting mat needs golf shoes. SIGPRO’s mat FAQ answers with a flat no, and none of the other eleven makers checked this week mentions footwear. The author wears them anyway, for footing and realism, and makes the case below. The mats’ only rule is about wear: spikes and real tees leave holes in a soft strip. One owner argues the other way: golf shoes grip a range mat too hard.

I advise trying to make your golf simulator experience as close to real life, on the course shots as possible.

Therefore I always recommend using golf shoes in a golf simulator, to allow the most realistic practice possible.

In a Nutshell

Wear whatever gives you sure footing; the author chooses golf shoes, the makers require nothing, and only soft spikes belong near a hitting strip.

In this guide: In a nutshell · How this has changed · The author’s case · What the mat makers say · The counter-view · Spikes on a mat · Mud and the second pair · What to wear · FAQ · Summary

• What the makers say: one flat no from SIGPRO, silence from everyone else.
• What wears the mat: spikes and real tees on a soft strip, and standing in one spot, whatever is on your feet.
• The author’s practice: an older pair of golf shoes kept for the simulator.
• The counter-view: golf shoes can grip a mat too hard for a free turn.

Jargon, once:

• Soft spikes — plastic cleats; metal spikes are the ones to avoid indoors.
• Spikeless — a golf shoe with molded nubs, no cleats.
• Stance area — the part of a mat you stand on, which wears first.

How This Has Changed Since 2021

• Summer 2026: one on-topic comment in three months, on a driving-range mat, and it argues against golf shoes; no simulator owner raised footwear at all.
• SIGPRO’s golf-mat FAQ, checked on 2026-09-08, says no golf shoes are required on its mats.
• Owners report that spiked shoes and real tees wear the SIGPRO Softy’s insert, the only footwear evidence the mats offer.
• Unchanged: the author’s practice, the mud advice and the bucket by the door.

The Author’s Case for Golf Shoes

The argument is about the ground. A golf swing pushes into the trail leg and drives off it, and the author’s experience is that trainers give some of that back. Cushioned hitting strips protect joints (16 reports from 14 owners and reviewers), but they do nothing for footing, which is where the shoe comes in.

I don’t know about you, but I just can’t hit the ball, in the same way, wearing trainers or other shoes.

I can still play golf but it’s nowhere near as consistent and I don’t hit the ball as far, losing about 30 yards or more of distance with the driver when using the wrong shoes, which is no fun at all!

Playing in trainers, or worse, dress shoes, means I slip and slide all over the place.

Golf shoes make me that little bit taller than when I wear any other shoes.

Playing in low sole shoes means I grip the club slightly differently with a different spine angle at address.

What the Mat Makers Say

Twelve makers’ pages were checked this week for any word on spikes, cleats or golf shoes. One had an answer. The wear owners report is real, but it is wear where you stand, whatever you wear. What owners describe as slipping is the mat sliding on the floor, not a shoe on the mat: Best Golf Mat for a Golf Simulator – 10 Step Buying Guide

The Counter-View

One owner raised footwear this summer, on a driving-range mat rather than a simulator, and came down the other way. Two older simulator threads exist, outside this summer’s window; footing preference is personal, and the evidence here is thin.

“Also, on the range I just wear my running shoes. Golf shoes get too stuck in the mat and limit rotation.” (u/rueggy, 2026-08-28)

Spikes on a Mat

The author’s practice is soft spikes at home and never metal, which can cut a turf surface over time. The mats agree only by omission, except the Softy: owners warn that spiked shoes and real tees leave holes in its insert (7 reports from 7 owners). For a commercial bay, check the venue’s dress-code page before you go.

Mud, Cleaning and the Second Pair

Course mud has no place on a simulator mat or an impact screen, so the author keeps two pairs. A bucket of water and a towel by the door handles visitors’ shoes and clubs.

I like to use my older pair of golf shoes for my simulator, which are a little scuffed but still perfectly usable.

I gave them a good clean and they work just fine.

This means my best pair of golf shoes stays in the back of my car to be used whenever I play or practice outside.

What to Wear

A home simulator has no dress code beyond the shoes: full golf kit for realism, or the most comfortable clothes in the house.

I like to wear a polo shirt and trousers to visit my local driving range but I’m sure any attire other than a football jersey would be acceptable.

Golf Shoes in a Simulator FAQ

Do you need golf shoes in a golf simulator?

No. No mat maker requires them and SIGPRO’s FAQ says none are needed; the author wears them anyway.

Can you wear spikes on a golf simulator mat?

Soft spikes at home; spiked shoes wear the Softy’s insert, metal spikes more so.

Do golf shoes damage a hitting mat?

Spiked shoes and real tees leave holes in a soft strip; stance areas wear regardless.

Can you wear spikes in a commercial golf simulator?

Check the venue’s dress-code page; the author uses soft spikes at home.

Can you play a simulator in trainers?

Yes; the author finds footing suffers, and one owner on a range mat prefers them.

Summary

Golf shoes are a preference, not a requirement: the makers ask nothing, one owner prefers trainers, and the author keeps an old pair by the door for footing and realism.

Related guides: Best Golf Mat for a Golf Simulator – 10 Step Buying Guide · Hitting Strip vs Golf Mat – Golf Simulator Mat Options · Garage Golf Simulator – 13 Key Challenges + Tips & Tricks

Check current prices: