I have a set of very good winter tyres which I had on my sti last winter for the first time. Had a couple of spins around the 'gaps' wicklow in the snow(the few nights we had some). I seriously doubt golf is as good in those type of conditions. I'm been guided by how well the subaru performs rather than a comparison as I haven't driven the golf. But I think subaru awd has to be better than volkswagen. Lower centre of gravity with boxer engine too?. Plus the r only had an electronic handbrake. I doubt these are up to much in snowy conditions, definitely not as much fun.