Equipment
Q&A: FootJoy on the importance of shoe fitting
Golf is difficult sport, maybe even “painful” at times. Your golf shoes shouldn’t add to the discomfort.
FootJoy is leading the way in the golf shoe fitting space, and has for some time with a wide variety of styles and sizes of golf shoes. Recently, the company has created new fitting technology that can not only help golfers find more comfortable shoes, but actually improve their on-course performance. Learn more in our Q&A with FootJoy’s Mike Foley, the company’s director of footwear product management.
Q: Golf footwear has changed tremendously in the last two decades, as has golf fashion, often with the promise of better performance. What has been the biggest change in golf shoe design, and how is it helping golfers play better?
A: I would have to say the biggest change is one that has happened very recently, and that is the research results proving that certain players will perform better with specific types of shoes – structured or mobile – depending on their unique swing trace. We build golf shoes for every different type of player, which includes not only the critical performance aspects of stability or strategic flexibility, but also covers the vast styling tastes of players at every level.
A close second to this would be FIT. Our research corroborates that nearly 70 precent of players are in the wrong size shoes. Further research shows that wearing an improperly fitting shoe – especially one that is too long and wide – will lead to reduced distances due to unstable footing and subsequently the inability to put a solid, balanced swing on the ball. This is why we are out fitting as many people as we can to help spread the Word of Fit. Our goal is to enhance a player’s enjoyment of the game, and determining the proper fit is the first step.
Q: By now, most golf fans have probably seen the commercial that describes the new FootJoy Freestyle shoe as a “launch pad that can give you extra yards.” How long has the FootJoy team been studying the relationship between golf shoe design and distance, and what has it learned?
A: Short answer: Many, many years. Again, an improperly fitting shoe can sacrifice distance. A properly fitted shoe — not only in size (length/width), but the proper type (structured/mobile) as determined by our FJ Performance Fit System — will allow a player a much better opportunity to experience better quality swings and as a result, distance gains.
At FJ, we have our own research lab called “The Shoe Box” where we have state-of-the-art simulators complete with force-platform technology, as well as our latest iteration of the FJ Performance Fit System that was developed in partnership with the BodiTrak team. This lab is always humming with players testing footwear and technicians analyzing their results. These results then lead us to better-educated engineering and design concepts within our new shoe developments.
Q: Two of the most talked about FootJoy shoes in recent years on GolfWRX have been the Icon Black and the D.N.A. models. Has anything changed in their design for 2016?
FootJoy’s Icon Black (pictured in White/Dark Brown) are worn by Ian Poulter, Billy Horschel, Luke Donald and many other PGA Tour players.
A: In the Icon Black category, which features luxurious leathers and exquisite high-end detailing, we have added a few ultra-traditional saddle styles. These styles deliver the classic styling that many of our brand loyalists are looking for at the top of our line.
FootJoy’s DNA 2.0 golf shoes have been updated with TourLock spike receptacles and SoftSpike’s “Tornado” cleats.
In DNA, the second generation continues with the same feature-laden performance package with a new, fresh look in the upper. In addition, we decided to update the cleat/receptacle components in the outsole, choosing to go with the new TourLock receptacles because of their super high-ranking retention properties and brought in the Tornado cleat because it delivers tremendous green-friendly traction elements. We have also added D.N.A. to our popular custom MyJoys program, which gives players more than 14 million possible custom combinations.
Q: What’s the biggest mistake golfers make buying golf shoes, and how can they avoid it?
A: This goes back to what I said earlier, and I would definitely say FIT. Customers have to realize that, unfortunately, there is no set sizing standard in footwear, so just because your running shoes in one brand are a size 10M doesn’t mean your golf shoes from another brand will also be a 10M. In addition, it continues to amaze us that so many consumers don’t even realize that multiple widths are offered. At FJ, in our top-selling models, we offer 47 different sizes in one style of shoe. That is how much we believe that a proper fit can be beneficial to you as a player. So to players out there planning to buy golf shoes soon, try and get fit on a Brannock Device first.
If that is not available, work with an associate in the shoe department to try on several sizes/widths surrounding the size you normally wear and chances are you will land on a size that you are not used to wearing, but delivers the comfort and fit you have been looking for.
Remember, it’s OK if your running shoes are one size, your basketball shoes are another size and your golf shoes are even a different size from those two. The important thing here is proper fit; the size is merely a number.
From FootJoy: Signs you might be wearing the incorrect size golf shoe.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
From the seller: (@lasallen): “For sale is a BRNR mini 11.5 deg head only in brand new condition. $325 shipped.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made.
From the seller: (@DLong72): “Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made. ?: $1150. ?? 100% milled collectors item from the limited releases commemorating when Ping putters won every major in 1988 (88 putters made). This was the model Seve Ballesteros used to win the 1988 Open Championship. Condition is brand new, never gamed, everything is in the original packaging as it came. Putter features the iconic sound slot.
Specs/ Additional Details
-100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g)
-Original Anser Design
-PING PP58 Grip
-Putter is built to standard specs.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.
The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.
On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.
Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.
At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.
“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.
Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.
“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.
“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.”
In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.
On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.
According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.
“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.”
See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here.
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Shallowface
Mar 10, 2016 at 7:01 am
Breed did have a good point the other night about the wrong shoe costing the golfer distance. When they took my metal spikes away, I lost at least 20 yards overnight. I didn’t know I was using the ground back then (never heard of such a thing), but I used to turn the base of the spikes over into the soles of the shoes, particularly in the heels. But the greens are better today. I’m usually in the first group, and we weigh about 225 apiece. Now, instead of leaving those little holes, when we’re finished the area 6 feet around the cup looks like a green cheese grater. But the floors of the carts and the carpet in the clubhouse looks better that it used to. Which is nice.
Buster Cheiry
Mar 10, 2016 at 12:22 am
Footjoy needs to go back to their old styling. They have release some very ugly shoes in the last couple years.
Shallowface
Mar 9, 2016 at 6:17 pm
When I see Michael Breed, a 50 plus year old man who is trying to appear much younger, wearing those multicolored monstrosities on TV every week, all I can think of is George Carlin saying “that’s not cool that’s chilly, and chilly never was cool.”
Pat
Apr 1, 2016 at 7:33 pm
Amen. Dude tries too hard to be cool when in fact he’s the biggest dork on tv. Him being old doesn’t help either.
Boyo
Oct 10, 2016 at 8:51 am
Thank you very little.
SV
Mar 9, 2016 at 5:20 pm
Wearing a EEEE width I have a problem finding golf shoes wide enough. Footjoy has given me the most choices over the years. I echo Phillip’s comment about stores only carrying one width. Again I have had better luck with Footjoy, but still hard to find the right size.
golfraven
Mar 9, 2016 at 3:43 pm
Saddly I was measured wrongly once with the FJ system but luckily did it another time again and got the right size which I continue to buy for any new FJ model. Cannot wait till the Icon Black can be customized. Was not particular keen on Blacks 2015 models but very excited about the 2016 line – all white tips are my favourite. Icons all the way.
Steve
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:57 am
It sucks for folks like me with a very narrow foot. Try walking into any golf store in existence and finding any shoe brand in ‘narrow’ size. Not gonna happen. I end up trying on Adidas most times as some of theirs run more narrow. Or I have to custom order a Footjot in narrow size. Which you can’t even try on until it comes in and you’ve already bought it. I end up in improper fitting shoes a lot because finding one that fits a narrow foot is about impossible, as there are none to try on…… Footjoy offers more shoes in narrow sizing than any other brand, but nobody stocks them.
Philip
Mar 9, 2016 at 10:10 am
Adidas is definitely the most narrow (though they say standard on the shoe) – I really wanted to try them out.
golfraven
Mar 9, 2016 at 3:46 pm
fully agree with Adidas. Comparing the FJ with Adidas now in same size, I really get sick putting Adidas on those being so narrow.
MyJoy is really you only option if you want a narrow model.
Chris
Mar 10, 2016 at 11:27 am
That’s why they have their comfort warranty. If they don’t fit, send them back and try a different size. Sure, it may be a hassle to find the right size if you have to keep “guessing” at the size/width, but at least it is possible to do with just about any shoe company.
Philip
Mar 8, 2016 at 8:15 pm
I don’t care how many widths Footboy has; it is irrelevant when many stores only tend to carry one width in most designs and sizes, forcing people to get the incorrect larger size. The most comfortable shoes I ever wore was a leather dress shoe with a wooden sole that fit me perfectly. I would love to try other companies, but GolfTown only has them in narrow, standard widths and shoes are too particular to purchase online.
Jerry Curl
Mar 8, 2016 at 4:08 pm
Footjoy might make the worst shoes in the business these days. I was strict Footjoy customer for years but they lost me a handful of years ago when a pair of Icons and Dryjoys didn’t last 1 golf season. Their shoes don’t fit consistently and fall apart. What was once a quality brand has gone down the crapper.
CcShop
Mar 8, 2016 at 6:22 pm
If you read the article not all shoes fit the same. Yours probably broke down cause you were in the wrong size
Jerry Curl
Mar 8, 2016 at 10:42 pm
No it’s because they make poor quality shoes. If you play a 100 plus rounds a year their shoes just don’t last. I wore footjoy shoes for 15 plus years same size and style without problems before I had multiple pairs crap out.
Blair
Mar 9, 2016 at 12:21 pm
I will disagree with you here. Been using FootJoy’s for over 10 years, current shoes going on their 3rd season. I play 100 rounds a year. Best and most comfortable shoes TO ME. You may not like them but that doesn’t mean they are of poor quality. With them being the number 1 shoe in golf, they can’t be all that bad!
Pat
Apr 1, 2016 at 7:36 pm
You do realize that the quality of golf shoes has gone down the toilet ever since China started making them. Jerry Curl is correct. Golf shoes these days are garbage and don’t last very long.
golfraven
Mar 9, 2016 at 3:51 pm
Icons should last you if you keep maintaining/cleaning those regularly and use shoe trees – even those cheap one from FJ. Likely would be the case for the Dryjoys but cannot speak from experience – only have the casuals and those lasted 3 years till now.
Shoe Snob
Mar 8, 2016 at 1:37 pm
I don’t see how the Icons and Classics (when they last made them) are the same price, with the Icons being made of crappier materials in China.
CcShop
Mar 8, 2016 at 6:31 pm
1. What shoe isn’t made in China?
2. Inflation- if you understood that concept you would know why products in general aren’t as cheap as 10-15 years ago.
3. Name a golf shoe with a better leather
golfraven
Mar 9, 2016 at 3:33 pm
I had the chance to buy last pair of Classics but opted out and bought the Icons instead. Saddle those are made in China which is a shame. However the Icon shoe is more technically advanced just speaking of the sole and much lightet then the Classics ever were. Also I don’t think Classics were as durable as Icons – looking at me pair that I had already 5 seasons. Love me Icons and looking forward to buy a new pair of Icon Blacks that are the next gen Classics.
Michael
Mar 8, 2016 at 1:36 pm
Cool typo, guys. “Q&A: FootJoy on the importance shoe fitting”
Greg V
Mar 8, 2016 at 11:11 am
It would be nice if Footjoy would indicate what type of golf swings benefit from mobile shoes, and what type benefits from structured shoes. I doubt that my local golf store will have any knowledge on this, or the necessary equipment to help me determine which type would be of benefit.
Walker
Mar 8, 2016 at 1:29 pm
Just buy both types and see which ones you play better with. Its the GOLFWRX way.
Double Mocha Man
Mar 8, 2016 at 10:26 am
I’ve been wearing FootJoys for years. I accidentally nailed the proper fit on my first pair so now, when I need new FootJoys, I reorder the same size. The shoes never need breaking in. FootJoy did not pay me to say this. But if they want to send me some money that’s fine.