The trend in the current iterations of golf shoes is toward the hybrid model, a pair that can be used as your only footwear when traveling on business, and playing a few rounds on the side… Granted, the hybrid can never have the same stability and traction as a dedicated pair of golf shoes, but at least you can walk on asphalt with them.

Bite has a new line of hybrids that are amongst the best of the early bunch. The “Golf Trekker” is a low-cut shoe that looks like a hiker, but plays surprisingly well on the links. The treads are just aggressive enough to keep you planted on the grass, but there are occasions (in particularly wet conditions, for example), where they might not be enough. Bite’s “Golf Voyager” possesses similar tread patterns, but its upper is understated, and blends more easily into casual outfits of clothing.

For more traditional and elegant shoes, Ecco’s line of dedicated golf products are top-notch again this year, with the ? being a particular good value while retaining many of the excellent features of the company’s higher ticket models.

And on the flip side of the coin, athletic footwear maker Aetrex has come out with a great line of hiking footwear that emphasizes the company’s dedication to orthotics. Aetrex is an orthotic company first and foremost, and rest assured that any model from the company is going to offer the best support in its category. Specifically in regard to golf, the company’s orthotic insoles can turn just about any run-of-the-mill golf shoe into something that save your back even for back-to-back rounds. Very few of even the highest-end models can make that claim!

Aetrex V751 Hiker

The Aetrex™ V751 Hiker features a flexible strobble construction for forefoot flexibility, an abrasion resistant SmartMask™ Nylon upper material, and a durable "Rough Stuff" tip for walking on uneven terrain. The molded plastic footbridge with a medial support pod incorporates front to back rear foot control and a slip resistant outsole offers floating independent suspension.