Under Armour’s Phantom Fore is an excellent golf shoe… with one major flaw 

I spent more than 60 hours and 200 holes wearing the Under Armour Phantom Fore spikeless golf shoes to find out if it has substance to match the style. 

When it comes to the best golf shoes on the market right now, Under Armour’s rise in golf has been anything but accidental. Since stepping onto the fairways in the mid-2010s, the Baltimore-based brand – better known for shaking up the worlds of performance training and American football – has steadily carved out a niche among golfers who prize innovation and athleticism over tradition.

Drawing heavily on their expertise in running and training footwear, UA have brought tech like HOVR cushioning, breathable knit uppers, and energy-returning midsoles to the course, aiming to blend sneaker-like comfort with tour-level stability. It’s a formula that’s won over the likes of Jordan Spieth, Maverick McNealy, and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, who epitomise the brand’s data-driven, athlete-first approach.

The Phantom Fore continues that evolution as UA continues its bid to set the pace in best spikeless golf shoes performance. This is a spikeless shoe that borrows liberally from UA’s running DNA while delivering the traction, support, and style demanded by modern golf.

But does it perform as one of the best Under Armour golf shoes? I tested the Phantom Fore across more than 200 holes of golf and a host of range sessions, as well as wearing them for trail walking and everyday life, putting them through their paces for more than 60 hours to find out if they’re a good use of your hard-earned cash.

Comfort: 5/5 

Under Armour’s HOVR+ cushioning has long been a winner in running and training footwear, and it translates superbly to the fairways. Straight out of the box, the Phantom Fore feels plush underfoot, providing exceptional comfort even over marathon rounds – I clocked up 54 holes in a single day without a hint of fatigue or soreness. 

The high, supportive sole lifts you a touch further from the ground than traditional golf shoes, but this extra height never compromises feel or balance. Breathability is also first-rate, making these an excellent choice for warm-weather golf. The knit collar and sock-like fit may not be to everyone’s taste, but once on, they hug the foot securely without feeling restrictive, and there’s no rubbing or discomfort even though it sits above most golf/trainer socks.

I tested the shoe in a UK 12 (US 13), which was true to size, and also proved more than adequate for my wide feet with no hint of pinching or squeezing. 

Performance: 4.5/5 

For a spikeless shoe, the Phantom Fore offers standout grip and shows just how far the category has come. Even in torrential rain, the traction was reassuringly solid, with no slips or wobbles on uneven lies. Stability through the swing is impressive too – the supportive TPU heel counter locks you in nicely without limiting movement.

The sole is durable, too, with no sign of any wear and tear through my rounds or off the course, where I’ve worn them for a host of trail walks. 

While these aren’t built for traditionalists, they’re a joy to play in. The responsive HOVR+ midsole adds a spring to every step and subtly boosts that feeling of power during the swing. It’s easy to forget you’re wearing a golf shoe at all – and that’s very much a compliment. 

Durability: 2.5/5 

Here’s where the shine fades a little. Under Armour’s one-year waterproof warranty might reassure some, but in real-world testing, the Phantom Fore struggled in heavy rain. After a couple of hours, they soaked through completely, taking days to dry and retaining a damp smell that never quite disappeared. 

The lightweight, foam-based upper and knit construction simply can’t match the resilience of traditional leather models. That said, in normal conditions – dry, dewy, or lightly wet rounds – they’ve held up well, with no signs of splitting or structural wear. 

I tested the white colorway, and it was also challenging to keep clean. Within a couple of rounds, the knit fabric had discolored significantly, and no amount of scrubbing or detergent had managed to get it looking as good as new, leaving me with a dirty grey as opposed to the original bright finish.

Style & Design: 4.5/5 

This is one of the best-looking spikeless golf shoes Under Armour has produced. The athletic styling works brilliantly both on and off the course, and the Phantom Fore pairs especially well with jogger-style golf trousers or shorts. They can be worn with standard trousers, but the high sock can cause a little bunching of the hem. 

Colorways are modern and varied, and I love the contrast of the gum-colored sole. The white/halo grey model I tested looked superb initially, but picked up marks quickly in summer dust and wet conditions. The Mod Gray and Black options will likely fare better for long-term aesthetics. 

The overall style is contemporary, sporty, and targets the younger market (says this 43-year-old). It’s a shoe that fits right in whether you’re on the 1st tee, grabbing a post-round beer, or heading out for lunch with your better half. 

Technology & Features: 4/5 

The Phantom Fore isn’t short on innovation. Its molded TPU-coated foam upper combines lightweight structure with flexibility, while the knit collar ensures a snug, sock-like entry. The HOVR+ cushioning is the star of the show, delivering outstanding comfort and rebound. 

UA’s NeverWet treatment and a lightweight waterproof membrane provide a degree of weather protection, though they’re clearly designed for damp days rather than deluges. The traction pattern on the outsole performs well in all conditions, giving a dependable grip that matches or exceeds many of its far more expensive rivals. 

Final Verdict: 4.2/5 

It’s undoubtedly one of the best spikeless golf shoes of 2025 – supremely comfortable, impressively stable, and stylish enough to wear anywhere. If it wasn’t for the issues with the waterproofing (ultimately, it’s only winter boots and a handful of shoes I’ve tried down the years that could cope with that level of rainfall) and the material discoloring easily, they’d score even better.  

The Phantom Fore delivers top-tier comfort and performance, and coming in at a reasonable $130/£110 (often a great shoe to pick up in a sale), it easily competes with models that cost much more. For warm, dry conditions, it’s an outstanding choice. The HOVR+ cushioning and supportive fit make long rounds an absolute pleasure. 

However, if you regularly play in heavy rain or muddy conditions, you’ll need to accept its limitations. Despite the waterproof claims, the knit upper soaks through in extreme wet, and drying it out is a slow process. 

If comfort and all-day wearability are your top priorities, the Phantom Fore should be high on your shortlist. Just ensure you wear them on dry(ish) days and, if keeping them pristine is a priority, go for one of the darker colors. 

Under Armour Phantom Fore Golf Shoes

RRP: £110.00 / $130.00

Sizes: UK 6-14 (40-49.5). Half sizes available.

Colorways: White/Halo Grey; Downpour Gray/Midnight Navy; Mod Gray/Stream/Titan Grey; Black/Metallic Gun Metal

Sole: Spikeless

BOA: No, standard lacing only

Waterproof: Yes (One-year warranty)

Fit: True to size