Andy Devaney
The New Balance 574 Greens V2 golf shoes bring something many golfers have been promised and rarely given: waterproof protection, modern sneaker styling and genuine all-day comfort. Tested in wet conditions on the course, they delivered dry feet, strong support and, for the first time in my experience, a full 18 holes without the usual soreness by the finish.
Golf shoes have become smarter, sleeker and far more wearable in recent years, but too many still fall apart where it matters most: after several miles on damp ground, uneven lies and the slow grind of a full round on foot. The New Balance 574 Greens V2 golf shoes feel different. They look the part, certainly, but more importantly they perform in a way that makes them feel relevant to the modern golfer who values comfort, movement and all-day wearability just as much as grip and stability.
That was what stood out straight away.
On the day I tested them, the fairways and rough were wet, exactly the sort of conditions that expose a golf shoe very quickly. The 574 Greens V2 handled it brilliantly, keeping my feet dry throughout the round. More impressive still, 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 18 holes. In a category full of lofty claims, that one lands hardest because it is the one golfers actually feel.
Built for golfers who walk, not just pose
There is a growing divide in golf footwear between shoes designed to look good in a product shot and shoes that still feel good by the 16th tee. The 574 Greens V2 manages to do both.
It has the familiar New Balance profile, which gives it an easy, athletic look without veering into loud or try-hard territory. In the men’s line, the Tan and Olive colourways are understated and sharp, the sort of shades that work just as well in the clubhouse as they do on the course. There is a calm confidence about the design. Nothing fussy. Nothing forced.
That matters because today’s golfer wants more from their footwear. Not everyone wants a shoe that looks overly technical or built like farm machinery. Increasingly, players want something versatile, contemporary and comfortable enough to suit the wider shape of an active lifestyle. The 574 Greens V2 fits that brief beautifully.
Dry in the wet, comfortable in the long haul
A waterproof golf shoe should be judged on a wet course, not in a showroom. That is where this pair earned its keep.
With moisture sitting in the fairways and rough, the shoes never once felt compromised. My feet stayed dry, and that made an immediate difference to the overall experience of the round. Wet feet can drain energy surprisingly quickly. They affect comfort, rhythm and, by the closing holes, mood as well.
Here, none of that became an issue.
The shoe’s waterproof construction did exactly what it needed to do, allowing the focus to remain on the round rather than the condition of the ground beneath it. For golfers who play regularly in Britain, where “good underfoot” can be a fleeting concept, that is a practical strength rather than a marketing flourish.
The comfort story is where this shoe separates itself
The biggest selling point of the 574 Greens V2 is not the styling, even though the styling is good. It is not even the waterproofing, useful though that is. It is the fact that the shoe remains comfortable for the full duration of a round.
That is where the Dynasoft® midsole makes its presence felt. It provides cushioning that is soft enough to absorb the repeated impact of walking 18 holes, but not so soft that the shoe starts to feel unstable during the swing. There is a pleasing balance to it: enough give for comfort, enough structure for confidence.
The CUSH+ insole adds another layer of immediate underfoot softness, giving the shoe an out-of-the-box feel that is forgiving rather than stiff or demanding. That may sound like a small detail, but golfers know it is not. A shoe that needs several rounds to become comfortable is a little like a hotel boasting that the beds improve on the third night.
This one gets it right from the start.
Why it feels like a natural fit
What makes the New Balance 574 Greens V2 golf shoes is that they speak to the physical side of the game in a very real way.
Walking a golf course is exercise. It places strain on the feet, ankles, knees and lower back, especially over four hours and across mixed terrain. Good footwear is not just about style or performance optics; it is part of how the body holds up over the course of a round. A shoe that reduces fatigue and supports natural movement earns its place in a much broader lifestyle conversation around wellbeing, recovery and staying comfortable while active.
That is where the 574 Greens V2 comes into its own.
This is a golf shoe for people who want to enjoy the walk as much as the swing. It is for golfers who carry, stroll, play late evening nines, head to the range in trainers, and prefer gear that blends easily into everyday life. It respects the fact that modern golf does not begin and end with the scorecard.
Grip, support and real-world performance
Spikeless golf shoes can sometimes feel as though they are making a gentleman’s agreement with the turf rather than properly engaging with it. The 574 Greens V2 is more convincing than that.
The Ndurance rubber outsole gives the shoe dependable traction and a stable base underfoot, which helps it feel planted through the swing and reliable when the ground softens. It does not offer the aggressive bite of a traditional spiked model, but that is not really the point here. This is about comfort and versatility without losing the stability needed for regular play.
In real-world terms, it means the shoe handles typical golfing conditions with assurance while still maintaining the freedom and ease that make spikeless designs so appealing.
Other SS26 styles worth knowing about
While the 574 Greens V2 was the standout from my testing, New Balance’s wider SS26 collection offers plenty of variety across both men’s and women’s styles.
The all-new 1982 Golf and 1982 SL bring a more retro New Balance look, with the spiked 1982 Golf adding FastTwist 3.0 removable Pulsar cleats for players who prefer a more traditional underfoot feel.
The 997 Golf and 997 SL remain strong options for golfers drawn to a sneaker-led silhouette, with waterproof protection, easy-clean uppers and dependable support built in. The 997 SL comes in White/Black, White/Grey and Olive/Taupe, while the spiked 997 Golf is offered in White/Black.
The 550 Golf SL leans more casual and has built a following with younger players who want comfort and style in equal measure.
For women, the SS26 collection has real depth. Alongside the White and Grey/Pink versions of the 574 Greens V2, the 327 Golf SL continues with its retro training-shoe influence and arrives in new colourways including White/Brown and Sesame. The all-new 530 Golf SL takes cues from high street fashion and pairs them with golf-ready function through waterproof performance mesh, microfibre leather and enhanced traction nubs on the outsole.
So while the broader line-up is varied, the 574 Greens V2 remains the most rounded option for golfers seeking comfort, dry performance and an easy crossover between sport and lifestyle.
Verdict
The New Balance 574 Greens V2 golf shoes succeed because they deliver where many golf shoes still overpromise. They keep feet dry, support the body well over a full round and feel comfortable enough to make walking the course a pleasure rather than a test of patience.
That may not be the loudest claim in golf retail, but it is one of the most valuable.
For golfers who care about comfort, movement and getting through 18 holes without the usual aches and hot spots, this is a seriously impressive spikeless option.
And for anyone who sees golf as part of a broader active lifestyle rather than a closed-off equipment obsession, the NB 574 Greens V2 feels pitched exactly right.