Golf shoe or insert for big toe pain

[Tanner25]

Looking for a firm shoe recommendation or insert that supports the big toe well. Have an arthritic toe after an injury.

[RacineBoxer]

Dealt with a toe injury two years ago on my right foot (right handed golfer) from a shoe that was too flexible, I’m mid 40’s and was practicing a lot. Just picked up Footjoy Premiere’s and Traditions as my ‘24 shoes and both feel pretty stiff/protective so far. 

[ChaosTheory]

On 3/3/2024 at 8:05 AM, Tanner25 said:

Looking for a firm shoe recommendation or insert that supports the big toe well. Have an arthritic toe after an injury.

Unfortunately you are looking for a unicorn 🦄.
 

I’ve mentioned this to you before.  The answer is to buy a roomy shoe and have the sole stiffened by Larossa Shoes in Weymouth, Massachusetts.  The shoe guy used by tour players.  Spend the $250 on this modification and save what’s left of your toe joints!

 

What size do you wear?  I have a couple of modified pairs that I can no longer wear because of size.  

[st1800e]

Cortisone shot? 

[Tanner25]

4 hours ago, st1800e said:

Cortisone shot? 

 

I had gone to a podiatrist. He didn't mention it. There's little to no cartiledge left on the big toe. I think it's a matter of getting good support to live with it for now or think about a fusion in the future.

[Tanner25]

8 hours ago, ChaosTheory said:

Unfortunately you are looking for a unicorn 🦄.
 

I’ve mentioned this to you before.  The answer is to buy a roomy shoe and have the sole stiffened by Larossa Shoes in Weymouth, Massachusetts.  The shoe guy used by tour players.  Spend the $250 on this modification and save what’s left of your toe joints!

 

What size do you wear?  I have a couple of modified pairs that I can no longer wear because of size.  

 

Thanks, ChaosTheory. I appreciate the suggestion and reminder. I'm an 11 and regular width.

[ChaosTheory]

2 hours ago, Tanner25 said:

I'm an 11 and regular width.

Bigger than I have.  Ok carry on.  🙂

[hammergolf]

On 3/3/2024 at 8:05 AM, Tanner25 said:

Looking for a firm shoe recommendation or insert that supports the big toe well. Have an arthritic toe after an injury.

Go see a podiatrist and they should be able to build a custom brace for your toe. A shoe by itself won’t give you the support your toe needs. From there you can search for shoes that fit. Toe injuries absolutely suck. I injured my toe in college and struggled with turf toe for a couple years. 

[st1800e]

5 hours ago, Tanner25 said:

 

I had gone to a podiatrist. He didn't mention it. There's little to no cartiledge left on the big toe. I think it's a matter of getting good support to live with it for now or think about a fusion in the future.

Maybe ask him about it next time you’re there.  Brings genuine relief to many with Osteo.  

[PlatinumNike]

I’d also recommend a steroid injection into the joint 

 

Carbon fiber insert with a Morton’s extension 

 

something like this ….

 

https://www.amazon.com/Mortons-Extension-Orthotic-Composite-M12-12-5/dp/B08XZMBGQM/ref=asc_df_B08XZMBGQM/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=507695844407&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3739981728739474669&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029976&hvtargid=pla-1258810091898&psc=1&mcid=dce13e8fc4fe3a10beb80f55b006dd44&gclid=CjwKCAiA_5WvBhBAEiwAZtCU7z64sF0jdcP88-S-4Pwn3Nmn8r0ckWaxroDln41nh4NSIi1EVQIaLhoC-O0QAvD_BwE

 

 

Edited March 5, 2024 by PlatinumNike

[ChaosTheory]

Has anyone tried the Vktry insoles?  I am tempted to try to see if I can get away with using them instead of sending my shoes to be modified every time.   I think I would want the heaviest weight option in order to get the stiffest flex. 

 

https://vktry.com

 

There are discount codes all over the place.  I found one for 20%: GolfSidekick20.

[paulgrot]

I suffered from sesamoiditis years ago and my podiatrist created new orthotics for me that had additional support up the big toe to reduce the amount of flexion, similar to the Mortons neuroma one above. He had made similar orthotics for elite (international ) rugby players he also looked after who suffered similar toe/forefoot injuries. 

[Dewdman42]

my ski boot guy has the same thing, as do I.  he made an extremely custom street shoe foot bed for me that is made out of a carbon fiber material which flexes a bit, but in the big toe area it is stiff enough that it restricts how much the big toe will bend at the big joint where I have the arthritis.  it has helped tremendously.  I also have gotten HOKA tennis shoes for wearing around town that have the toes in general in a rolled kind of configuration where the entire shoe rocks forward onto the toes rather then bending as much in that same location.  I wear these around town which keeps my toe from getting agitated and when I am using all shoes I use the custom footbeds from the ski boot guy..and this has helped me quite a lot actually.  I haven't had any pain in that joint for years.  

 

The morton's toe insert someone shared above looks interesting as an alternative to a custom footbed.  The footbed he made for me is not available off the shelf anywhere it was a completely custom thing where he started with raw materials and made it for me.  The key was just reducing as much as possible how much that big toe joint will bend when I roll the foot forward.  Stiffer shoe soles like old school hiking boots, probably can help in this regard also, but I find the HOKA running shoes are designed more this way in general and feel smooth and easy, but you could not pay golf in a shoe like that because the turned up toes are off the ground when you're addressing the ball..no bueno.  In which case the carbon fiber insoles have been perfect for me because they are flexible enough, but somehow the toe doesn't get bent as much.   but really maintence when you're doing all other activities is also crucial to dealing with it.

 

[RacineBoxer]

Nike zoom infinity tour 2 might have the stiffest sole in a golf shoe that I've tried on in the last several years.