The days of humping around the links in stiff, heavy leather golf shoes are over. I remember having to tape up my feet because they were so badly blistered from trying to “break in” my shoes.

But in recent years, golf shoe designers have taken a page from the running shoe guys. Shoes like the Adidas FitRX Sports and the Nike Air Zoom Elite look like track shoes with spikes added to the bottoms.

Now, with the dawn of these Dunks, the geniuses at Nike are turning your local golf club into a basketball court. (Anybody care for a game of H-O-R-S-E?) These kicks are a low profile basketball shoe with an “old-school” look. The only difference is the shoes have soft spikes in the very bottom.

I think this is a great idea. I am a huge fan of breathable, comfortable golf shoes especially on hot summer days when I am on my feet for 4+ hours. My favorite thing about the shoes are all the colorful choices. Celtics fans will want to go with the green, while you more conservative types will choose the grey. They even have two different designs that would excite North Carolina Tar Heel fans: the Soaring Black and the Midnight Fog. (Hmmmm, M.J., come out wherever you are.)

The only thing I would warn is: don’t expect these shoes to be waterproof. Leave them in the closet on those “mudder” days and stick with your Dry Joys. But of course that goes without saying, because you won’t want to get your Dunks dirty. Reserve them for the days when it’s warm enough to match them with your Tar Heel’s basketball polo. And please leave the tank top at home.

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Made from a variety of leather materials, the uppers are chiefly fashioned from calfskin for a soft, comfortable fit. The difference between calfskin uppers and just "leather" is like putting on a brand new pair of jeans versus the 5-year old pair that is faded, and worn, and fit just right. The feel of fine calfskin is hard to beat. Inside the shoe, FootJoy does not scrimp, using full leather linings, a cushioned leather insole, and a Goodyear Welt construction. The outsoles are water-resistant leather with a rubber heel. Having worn FootJoy shoes for years, I can attest to their comfort, durability, and timeless styling.

The style of FootJoy dress shoes are pretty conservative, as you might imagine. A split-toe Blucher and Brogan are standard fare. Recently, however, FootJoy has shifted much of their dress shoe line to what they call Country Club Casuals. These are fine shoes as well, but provide a little more flair and a few more style choices that aren't quite so much "your father's shoes." FootJoy dress shoes are not the least expensive option available, but they are a good value. And with their classic styling, they will retain their good looks and appeal for many years of comfortable and durable wear.

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One company offering a multitude of choices in women's golf shoes is Lady Fairway. Whether you want traditional (you can still get that kiltie), modern, athletic, or casual -- there is probably an option for you. Want color? Lady Fairway shoes are available in everything from solid while to solid black and nearly everything in between. Two-tone shoes are a staple in golf, and Lady Fairway does not fail to deliver. There are some great choices in Red/White, Black/White, White/Beige, Brown/Beige and more. One of the most eye-catching designs is the Lady Spectator in White/Red. If you're looking to be seen on the golf course, this is a great option.

Lady Fairway is a division of Women's Golf Unlimited. They are a leading supplier of women's golf shoes, apparel, gloves, socks and accessories. Known for their exceptional fit, comfort and style, Lady Fairway Golf Shoes are built around a specially engineered ComfortFit™ shoe "last" (the wooden form the shoe is shaped around) that is said to mirror the unique anatomy of a woman's foot from heel-to-toe. You'll see Lady Fairway products worn by LPGA Hall-of-Famer Kathy Whitworth (who is also a spokesperson for the company) and also by current Tour players Amy Alcott, Dawn Coe-Jones, Missie Berteotti, and others.

Other comparable products in ladies golf shoes are those offered by Callaway, Nike, and FootJoy.

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Made with full-grain leather uppers, it's been built with Sandbaggers' newly-developed Contour Fit. The idea is that a slightly narrower heel (with an amply padded ankle collar) should provide a soft, yet snug, fit right out of the box. The asymmetric toe-box has also been updated for a roomier fit. The designers at Sandbaggers also thought to add built-in orthotics for less fatigue along with a steel shank for extra torsion control and comfort. The lining is moisture-wicking micro-fiber which should provide extra comfort on hot, sweaty days.

Available in Medium and Wide width options, sizes range from 5-11. The shoe is generously sized in both length and width. If, like most wearers of this shoe, you'll opt to go "sans socks," it is recommended to order a one-half size smaller than your normal shoe size. The ‘Honey' color -- shown here -- is neutral enough to coordinate with many outfits, making it a decent choice if you're only going to own one pair of golf shoes.

The outsole features a dual-density flex-grip material with built-in spikes (similar to a soft-spike) that is suitable for a variety of course conditions.

There is a lot to like about these shoes, though some may find the design lacking. If that's the case for you, but you are intrigued by the feature set, you might want to check out Sandbaggers other models such as the Fiona and Anna.

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The reason I’m big on FootJoy shoes even more than the look is because of the comfort.  These Classics are made with soft comfortable calfskin inside and out.    Before I discovered FootJoy golf shoes, I thought that in order to find a golf shoe that was completely waterproof, you had to put up with a month or so of breaking in stiff, painful leather.  However, that’s not the case with these Classic Dry Premiere golf shoes.  They are very soft from the moment you first put them on.

The biggest complaint I’ve heard over the years about FootJoy’s revolves around their durability.  Some people have mentioned that the leather doesn’t last as long as other brands and that after a year it starts pulling apart.  This may be true, but I haven’t experienced it yet, and I’ve been wearing FJs for about ten years now.  I would recommend that you take care of them and clean them after each round and use a foot tree to maximize their longevity.  And of course, remember most FJs come with a two-year warranty.

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Let's take a closer look at all the technology packed into this Icon (and there's a lot to see). The Icon combines a lot of the technology used in some of their previous lines. The uppers are made of premium leather with calfskin and have a two-year waterproof warranty. Inside, the shoe is a full leather lining and a slip-resistant foot bed. The tongue and collar contain memory foam to form fit to your foot, and the heel has a microfiber counter to give you even more slip resistance.

Bottom line is, this is a high-performance shoe that is geared for stability, comfort, and protection from the elements. I'm not sure what else you'd want from a shoe except maybe fashion. I'm no fashion expert, but I'd say they're pretty handsome-looking as well.

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These Palm Springs Ladies Golf Sandals aren't my favorite golf sandals in the world. The price is good if you are just looking for one step off from your flip flops. However, they are a bit generic for my taste. They are bland-looking and ugly, and they aren't that stable.

There a couple of golf shoes out there that I like a lot better, because they are better-looking and more stable. My favorite is the Footjoy Greenjoy Ladies' Golf Sandal. This is a rugged sandal that is sporty-looking and about as stable as you are going to get in a golf sandal. The other one I like is the Bite Women's Double X TG Golf Sandal. In this golf sandal, Bite uses a double X cross strapping system to lock your foot into place.

Whichever one you choose, don't forget to put sunscreen on your feet. (And some deodorant!)

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The positive effects, however, don’t out way the humiliation you get when getting thrown off of the bosses private country club for showing up in flip flops. (If I can only help one person.)

All joking aside, sandals are a new wave sweeping golf as more and more people join are great sport. Golf is becoming less of a snooty knickers and leather shoes sport, to a shorts and sandals sport. And I love it.

Let’s take a look at these Bite sandals. They designed these Double X TG Sandals so you could swing away. The Double X refers to a technology they use to secure your foot in place. It's a double X strapping pattern. Take a gander at the photo and you'll see what I'm talking about. The straps on your heel and in the middle form an "X". Use the three adjustable Velcro straps (one on the heel, the middle, and the toes) to lock it down and you have a sandal that is going to hug your foot like a kid being dropped off on the first day of preschool.

The main thing when it comes to golf shoes regarding performance is how sturdy they are. Thanks to the Double X you can fasten these things down tighter than a bow-line on a sailboat. That being said, they are still sandals, and that means you really can’t grip with your feet like your regular Dry Joys.

But that’s fine with me, because I usually score better when I’m swing easier anyway. One of the intangibles I’ve noticed when walking 18 holes of golf in sandals is your feet don’t get as tired. That might be a function of the comfortable shoes combined with the fact that you are swinging easier. Regardless of the reason, I know that I don’t fade as quick on 17 and 18 as I do in the stiff leathers.

I would caution you on one thing. You should leave the sandals at home on particularly hilly golf courses, or particularly swanky golf clubs. Either one could cause some embarrassing moments like when you accidentally fall into a ravine, or when the starter on the loud speaker asks you to leave the first tee. Again, If I can help only one person with my mistakes, then it means a lot to me.

All in all, I really like these golf sandals. The only pair I've seen that can compete is the Footjoy Greenjoy Ladies Golf Sandal. The FootJoy is a little sportier-looking and a bit more comfortable.

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In other words, a less stable shoe can actually help your tempo. The reason being, that when you wrap the club around your head and coil up like a spring, if you spastically come unwound like a Yoyo, you’re going to end up in the creek next to the tee box.

So most people will make a much slower swing and find themselves hitting the ball on the center of the clubface more often. This may actually make the ball go further than your typical ferocious swing that resembles a panicked person trying to swat a bee with a broom stick.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying these sandals don’t have any grab in them. They are equipped with soft spikes in the bottom, just like the majority of your traditional golf shoes. Thus, they are certainly better than flip flops.

The main thing I'm looking for in a golf sandal... hold on to your hats, this might surprise you – is comfort. I'm really more concerned with the feel on my feet than how stable the shoe is. That and some cool tan lines. When you play as much golf as I do, sometimes you need a break from those stiff, sweaty golf shoes, or I just can’t find any clean socks. Either way, it makes for a nice change and a good conversation piece for my foursome (regarding my pale, funky feet).

Let's face it, if you are playing golf in sandals, then you are giving up performance for pleasure. And these FootJoys are very comfy. FootJoy in my opinion, (sandals or not) are the most comfortable golf shoes on the market.

In addition, these FootJoy Sandals are about as good as it gets in stability for a golf sandal. The soles are very firm, and the lining underneath - the adjustable Velcro straps - lock your foot down very tight. And the several soft spikes on the bottom, as I previously mentioned, are decent enough for gripping.

Thus, compared to flip flops and Birkenstocks, these are a good alternative to play golf. On those hot summer days it’s fun to get out sans socks and let the puppies breath, but.still be able to rip your drives, just watch out for the adjacent creek. I also like the Bite Women's Double X TG Golf Sandal, but it's not quite as comfortable as the Footjoy.

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The style is my favorite thing about the shoe. The mesh part of the shoe is the colored background for the Callaway logo on the side. The shoe is hip and modern looking. If it were me, I'd buy all three colors (Coral, Lilac, and Citron) to match my extensive golf wardrobe.

The cons of the shoe are performance and protection. The shoe isn't the most stable shoe I've ever seen. There are no spikes on the bottom; instead, Callaway uses little rubber nubs. They advertise the shoe as waterproof, but I'm going to respectfully argue that one. I've yet to play in a golf shoe that uses any type of mesh outer that kept my foot completely dry in wet conditions. However, keep in mind I play most of my golf in the great Northwest where we battle sloppy, muddy conditions 8 months out of the year.

For a high performance shoe that is waterproof, take a look at these: the Callaway Women's Hyperbolic Golf Shoe and the Adidas Tour 360 3.0 Womens Golf Shoe.

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