Staff WriterThe New Balance 574 Greens V2 golf shoes were the standout performers in the brand’s new SS26 collection for one simple reason: they behaved like a modern trainer, gripped like a proper golf shoe and, most importantly, got through a full 18 holes without turning my feet into two sulking parcels of regret.
That is no small thing.
Golf footwear has become an increasingly crowded corner of the market, with brands promising athletic styling, all-day comfort and waterproof protection in one neat package. Usually, one of those claims falls over somewhere around the 12th hole. These did not.
On a day when the fairways and rough were wet, the 574 Greens V2 kept my feet impressively dry throughout, and as of 2026 these are the first pair of golf shoes I have worn that genuinely did not leave my feet feeling tired or sore after a full round.
That alone earns attention. The rest of the package makes them worth serious consideration.
First impressions: classic New Balance, properly golf-ready
The 574 Greens V2 has the sort of shape that feels familiar before you even lace it up. It carries that unmistakable New Balance DNA: clean lines, understated retro cues and a look that does not scream “technical performance” from 50 yards away. That is a compliment.
In Tan and Olive, the men’s versions have a smart, versatile finish that works just as comfortably in the car park or clubhouse as it does walking down the first fairway. They look refined rather than flashy. Golf has enough peacocks already.
This is a spikeless waterproof shoe, but it does not have the flimsy, casual feel that sometimes comes with the category. There is structure here. It feels planted underfoot, and from the first few swings there is a reassuring sense that the shoe was built for golf rather than simply borrowed from lifestyle fashion and hurriedly pushed onto a tee box.
Wet weather performance where it matters
The most persuasive test for any waterproof golf shoe is not a laboratory, a product deck or a marketing slogan. It is a damp course, a bit of rough that has held onto the morning moisture like a grudge, and four hours on your feet.
That is where the 574 Greens V2 earned its stripes.
With wet fairways and wet rough underfoot, the shoe kept moisture out and comfort in. There was none of that creeping coldness you sometimes get when a “waterproof” upper begins to negotiate with the elements around the back nine. My feet stayed dry, and that made a noticeable difference to comfort, energy and concentration over the round.
Spikeless shoes can sometimes be accused of looking the part more than living it. This pair did not feel out of place in proper golfing conditions. The grip remained dependable, the platform stable, and there was enough traction through the swing to feel confident on softer turf.
Comfort over 18 holes: the real headline
The golfing world loves a technical phrase, but most players would settle for something simpler: a shoe that does not leave them aching by the end of the day.
This is where the Dynasoft midsole comes into the picture, and more importantly, where it actually means something in the real world. New Balance says it offers responsive cushioning, and in plain English, that translates to a ride that feels soft without becoming mushy. There is enough give for comfort and enough rebound to stop the shoe from feeling flat and lifeless after a few miles of walking.
Combined with the CUSH+ insole, the result is a shoe that feels kind to the foot from the first wear. No elaborate breaking-in ritual. No punishment phase. No sense that you are doing time until the leather decides to cooperate.
For me, that was the decisive point. After 18 holes, my feet did not feel tired or sore. That may sound basic, but in golf shoes it is rarer than it should be.
The technology and what it actually does
The wider SS26 range is built around a few key New Balance Golf technologies, and the 574 Greens V2 benefits from the ones that matter most to the walking golfer.
The Dynasoft midsole provides the responsive cushioning that gives the shoe its comfort and energy return. That helps reduce foot fatigue over a full round, especially for golfers who prefer to walk rather than ride.
The Ndurance rubber outsole is there for traction and durability. In practice, it helps the shoe stay stable across mixed surfaces without feeling stiff or overly heavy. That matters in a spikeless model, where the balance between flexibility and grip can often go wrong.
Then there is the waterproof construction, which in this case did its job exactly as advertised.
Across the SS26 collection, New Balance has sensibly focused on the things golfers actually notice: dryness, cushioning, stability and wearability. None of it feels like technology for technology’s sake.
How it compares in a crowded spikeless market
The modern spikeless category is full of sneaker-style contenders, from FootJoy’s sportier designs to adidas’ more aggressive, tech-forward options and Puma’s fashion-led entries. Many of them do one or two things very well.
The NB 574 Greens V2 golf shoes sit in a particularly useful middle ground.
They are more understated than some of the louder athletic models, more cushioned than plenty of traditional-looking golf shoes, and more course-ready than the lifestyle-inspired designs that can look brilliant online and a bit nervous on damp grass.
If you like the visual direction of a modern golf trainer but still want something that feels secure, waterproof and genuinely comfortable for a full walking round, the 574 Greens V2 holds an extremely strong case.
Strengths and weaknesses
The strengths are clear. Comfort is excellent. Waterproof protection is proven. The styling is versatile and mature. The underfoot feel is soft without losing stability, and the shoe performs well in wet conditions.
There are, however, a couple of things worth noting.
Golfers who prefer the locked-down bite of a traditional spiked outsole may still want more grip in steep, slippery lies or during winter golf at its most unruly. And players who love a sharper, more tour-shaped silhouette may find the 574 Greens V2 slightly more casual in appearance than a premium leather classic.
Neither point is fatal. They are simply matters of taste and playing conditions.
Who is this golf shoe best for?
The 574 Greens V2 will suit a broad range of golfers, but it feels especially well-judged for players who walk most of their rounds, want reliable comfort, and prefer a spikeless shoe that does not sacrifice stability for style.
Mid-handicappers and club golfers will get plenty from it, but the appeal is wider than that. Low handicappers who like a sneaker-style silhouette and want dependable grip in typical British conditions should find enough performance here too.
Most of all, it is ideal for golfers who are tired of choosing between comfort and credibility.
The wider SS26 collection and the other options available
While the 574 Greens V2 was the clear pick of the bunch from my testing, the SS26 line-up is broad enough to cover most tastes.
The all-new men’s 1982 Golf in Navy and 1982 SL in White and Navy lean heavily into retro New Balance styling, with the spiked 1982 Golf adding FastTwist 3.0 removable Pulsar cleats for golfers wanting more traditional traction. Both use the Dynasoft® midsole and Ndurance outsole.
The 997 Golf and 997 SL continue the sneaker-inspired theme and remain strong options for players who like a clean, athletic look. The waterproof 997 uses an easy-to-clean microfibre leather upper, while the 997 SL arrives in White/Black, White/Grey and Olive/Taupe. The spiked 997 Golf comes in White/Black.
The 550 Golf SL pushes further into casual styling and has become popular with younger golfers. It offers strong stability through the Ndurance outsole and extra comfort via the thick CUSH+ insole.
On the women’s side, New Balance has sensibly given equal attention to colour, styling and performance. The women’s 574 Greens V2 arrives in a crisp White option and a Grey/Pink combination that adds a little contrast without becoming fussy.
The 327 Golf SL remains one of the more distinctive women’s models in the range, with its retro training-shoe look, lightweight EVA midsole and heavily nubbed outsole. It comes in four new colourways, including White/Brown and Sesame.
Then there is the all-new 530 Golf SL, an athletic women’s design that borrows from high-street fashion but brings golf-specific function through an Ndurance outsole, waterproof performance mesh and microfibre leather upper. It is offered in Grey and White/Navy.
In short, there is plenty in SS26, but the 574 Greens V2 is the one that best combines comfort, wet-weather practicality and all-round wearability.
Verdict: the best advert is a round well walked
The New Balance 574 Greens V2 golf shoes do not need much polishing in the telling because their best qualities show up where they should: under pressure, underfoot and over 18 holes.
They look smart, they look trendy, they feel excellent, they handle wet ground properly and, in my experience, deliver the kind of end-of-round comfort that too many golf shoes still talk about rather than provide. That is why they stood out in the SS26 collection and why they deserve to be considered one of the most convincing spikeless waterproof golf shoes in New Balance’s current stable.
For golfers who want a shoe that can cope with a damp course, carry them comfortably through a full round and still look presentable long after the last putt has dropped, this is the one to start with.
