Can I play golf with flat feet?
William Rodriguez
Published Jan 18, 2026
Poor foot posture can impact the golf swing and increase the risk of overuse injury. For instance, people with flat feet experience uneven distribution of weight, which adds more stress on the ankles, knees, hips, and the lower back.
Can you play sports if your flat-footed?
The good news is that having flat feet does not mean you can't be good at sports or enjoy your physical activities. In fact, there are many flat-footed individuals among the ranks of elite professional athletes, including marathoners and NBA players. For many people, flat arches are asymptomatic.
Are there any pros to flat feet?
For years, the flat-footed have been warned that their lives would be plagued with pain and injury and doctors have tried using surgery and braces to correct the "deformity." But after decades of derision, new research is showing that flat feet are perfectly functional and may even be an advantage in sports.
Are wedges good for flat feet?
"Wedges are a much better choice over true heels because wedges help to distribute weight evenly across the bottom of the foot as opposed to the 'tripod' distribution a heel offers (heel and both sides of the ball of the feet)," she revealed.
What should I avoid if I have flat feet?
Limit or treat risk factors that can make fallen arches or flat feet worse, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Avoid activities that put excessive stress on your feet, such as running on roads.
18 related questions foundIs Flat foot a disability?
Pes planus is a disability characterized by the arches of your feet flattening. While the disability can be serious, inhibiting your range of motion and ability to walk, it is typically painless.
Is flat feet curable?
In adults, flat feet usually remain permanently flat. Treatment usually addresses the symptoms rather than a cure. In adults the condition is called "acquired" flatfoot because it affects feet that at one point in time had a normal longitudinal arch. The deformity may worsen over time as one ages.
What type of shoe is best for flat feet?
Most experts agree that wearing shoes with a supportive sole is best for flat feet. Look for a shoe with a firm but cushioned insole to support the surface of your foot. The sole of the shoe should be flexible but not floppy. It should move with your foot and provide support while you walk or stand.
What problems can flat feet cause?
Flat feet tend to cause another condition called overpronation, which is when the ankles roll inward while you're walking. This can lead to foot and ankle pain. Because your feet are the basis of support for your entire body, having flat feet and overpronation can cause problems with your spinal alignment.
What shoe brand is best for flat feet?
The best shoes for flat feet
- Best Everyday Sneakers: Munro Gabbie Sneaker.
- Best Booties: Munro Lexi Boot.
- Best Orthopedic: Alegria Paloma Slip-On.
- Best Running Sneakers: Asics Gel Kayano 28 Sneaker.
- Best Sandals: Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed Sandal.
- Best Walking Shoes: New Balance 1540v3 Sneaker.
Why does the military not allow flat feet?
Why was flat feet a disqualifying condition? In 1948, the Army adopted an articulated policy that disqualified men with flat feet from military service. The reason: the Army believed that flat feet would make soldiers footsore, would not be able to perform physical labor and would be prone to fatigue.
Is it better to have arched or flat feet?
Most people think flat feet are bad and high arches are desirable. However, in reality, whether you have flat feet or high arches doesn't matter.
Does flat feet affect height?
Discussion. The linear regression analyses showed no significant relationship between foot arch height and actual height in women. This means that the height of person's foot arch does not significantly affect a person's height.
Is Usain Bolt flat-footed?
Usain Bolt, the world's fastest man, has flat feet and that didn't stop him from winning 3 straight Olympic Games! It can be treated in several ways and is not something that should worry you. Ensuring that you wear a well fitting, supportive shoe can help.
Do flat feet make it harder to run?
Flat feet can cause a variety of symptoms like pain and discomfort in your feet, pain in knees, hips and back. Your posture can change and you may feel that walking and running is difficult for you. You can be a successful and an injury free runner even with your flat feet.
Can you run fast if you have flat feet?
Are the rumors true that being flat-footed actually makes you slower, and if so, what can I do to fix this? A: Dear Low Arches, It is not true that people can't run fast and well because of flat feet. It is true that runners with fallen or weak arches do have problems with excessive pronation.
Can you join the military with flat feet?
While someone who has flat feet can serve in the military, it depends on the severity. If someone has “symptomatic” flat feet, which indicates that the condition causes the person chronic physical pain, then he or she cannot serve.
Why do some people have flat feet?
A common and usually painless condition, flatfeet can occur when the arches don't develop during childhood. In other cases, flatfeet develop after an injury or from the simple wear-and-tear stresses of age.
How long does it take to fix flat feet?
Structural correction of flat feet can take between 3-18 months. Not all flat feet cases can be corrected, however many can be.
Do flat feet need arch support?
If your flatfeet are painful, your doctor might suggest: Arch supports (orthotic devices). Over-the-counter arch supports may help relieve the pain caused by flatfeet. Or your doctor might suggest custom-designed arch supports, which are molded to the contours of your feet.
Is Nike good for flat feet?
The Best Nike Running Shoes for Flat Feet
This Nike Air Zoom Structure features a firm midsole that feels stable and soft underfoot. It has a cushioned crash pad at the heel, helping support heel-to-toe transitions for runners who overpronate.
Do flat feet runners need arch support?
Most people with flat feet need more arch support rather than less. But some types of arch support are designed to prevent overpronation, which is common among people with flat feet.
Can you rebuild arches in flat feet?
One of the foot problems people develop is "fallen arches" or "flat feet," a decrease in the longitudinal arch that absorbs landing forces. You can rebuild the arches through the use of the following and other active isolated, constant-resistance exercises.
Why do arch supports hurt my flat feet?
Incorrectly sized arch supports can cause restrictions in your foot's movement and force them to readjust to accommodate the awkward position, putting extra pressure on the midsole and causing more pain. Worn-out insoles will no longer provide the correct support to your feet and could cause more harm than good.
Can you fix a fallen arch?
However, often times a collapsed arch ultimately must be repaired surgically to provide lasting relief. A reconstructive surgery for flatfoot seeks to restore proper biomechanical support structures through rebuilding the arch.