This argument has been running for fifteen years and it's mostly settled, but the settlement is more nuanced than either camp admits.
What each one actually does
Spiked shoes have replaceable cleats — soft plastic now, metal being banned nearly everywhere. They dig into turf and give you real traction on slopes, in the wet and in soft ground. They're what you want when the ground can't be trusted.
Spikeless shoes use a moulded rubber outsole with nubs, lugs or dimples. They grip the surface rather than penetrating it. Lighter, more comfortable, and you can drive in them, walk into a bar in them, and wear them on a range mat.
The honest comparison
Wet grass, slopes, hilly courses: spiked, no contest. This isn't close. If you play somewhere with real elevation change or you play in genuine wet, spikes will stop you slipping in your downswing.
Dry, flat, firm summer conditions: spikeless are fine and more comfortable.
Comfort over 18 walked holes: spikeless, usually. Less pressure underfoot, more like a trainer.
Versatility: spikeless, easily. One pair from car to course to clubhouse.
Longevity: spiked, in a sense — you replace worn cleats for a few pounds rather than replacing the shoe. When a spikeless outsole wears smooth, that's the end of it.
The bit people get wrong
Spikeless shoes don't fail gradually — they fail suddenly. The outsole nubs wear down over a couple of seasons and the shoe still looks fine while offering almost no grip. You then slip in a wet downswing and blame your swing.
Turn them over and look every few months. If the nubs are rounded off and shiny, they're done, whatever the uppers look like.
Spiked shoes tell you honestly — cleats visibly wear, and you replace them. It's one of the underrated advantages.
What to buy
If you own one pair: spiked, unless you only ever play firm dry courses. The grip advantage in bad conditions matters more than comfort in good ones, because bad conditions is when the shoe has a job to do.
If you own two: spiked for winter, wet and hilly courses; spikeless for summer, travel and the range. This is what most keen golfers end up with, and it also means each pair gets time to dry out properly.
If you walk 36 in a day: spikeless are noticeably kinder to your feet, and worth the traction trade on a dry day.
Quick answer
- Hilly or wet course
- Spiked
- Flat, dry, firm
- Spikeless
- Walking 36
- Spikeless for comfort
- Travelling
- Spikeless. One pair does everything
- Winter golf
- Spiked, and waterproof
- Check
- Cleats once a season. Spikeless outsoles every few months
Two pairs, whichever you choose
The strongest argument here isn't about spikes at all. Golf shoes need 24 hours to dry properly, and a shoe worn wet two days running breaks down far faster and starts to smell.
Two mid-priced pairs alternated will outlast one expensive pair worn constantly, and you'll be more comfortable the whole time. If you're choosing between one premium pair and two decent ones, take the two.