Before the 21st Century, the undisputed King of Golf shoes was Footjoy. There was no distant second, only pathetic attempts by the like of Dexter and other shoe companies I can't remember. Footjoy was King with their popular line of Dry Joys, Classic line etc....even up to early 2000s.

Then the inevitable happenened, competition. With the sudden rush of younger golfers fueled by Tiger Wood's success, the fashion landscape for golfer's feet was never the same. With Footjoy on the ropes, several companies put their hats in the ring with great success. Particulary, adidas, nike, and even ecco and callaway gained considerable market share ....this is when the unthinkable happened...I think it started around 2004 or 2005....

To my displeasure, Footjoy's new line of shoes looks like small futuristic aircraft with ridiculous boosters on the back (i.e. the reel-fit design). With the exception of their over priced tour classic line, FootJoy pretty much abandoned their strengths and tried to compete head on with Adidas and Nike....not a smart move by those knuckleheads at FootJoy marketing. And since these guys at Footjoy thought their designs were so "cool" they decided to raise their prices even more.....obviously no comment neccessary here...

Anyhow, I hope they bounce back....I"m a big fan of the Acushnet Company as whole, specifically a diehard Titleist fan. FootJoys have always been the most comfortable golf shoes for me, but I wouldn't be caught dead in them now.

They currently have 51% market share, with their closest competitor at 17%. http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=86828

I doubt they need to "bounce back". YOU may not like the current crop of FJ shoes, but a plurality of golfers do. Heck, every round I've played this summer, I've noticed that every golfer was wearing FJ's. (except me...I currently wear Etonic G-Sok)

The real fit design are pretty damm cool, and I have some friends that have them and love them. With 51% I doubt they are to worried.

I'll have to politely disagree, although i believe they still retain 51%, I bet it will diminish to 20% by the end of the decade

I have the newer white version of the Reel-Fits and I can't say anything bad about them so far.

I would have to agree with the original poster. Footjoys have gone from there roots and have tried to conform with the more modern brands, not gonna happen. The reason footjoy still has a huge market share and you still see people wearing them on the course is because of the previous models, the original designs. I havent seen anyone with the new crop of shoes yet on my course.

All I can say is dont knock it till you try it. I have the reel-fit on some real good hiking boots and they are a godsend. They keep my feet absolutely wrapped tight as a drum the whole day and when its time to come off one pull and they are off.

Havent tried the FJ-RF yet as my Tour360s are still just fine but they are the first pair I would try.

man, you really have a problem with the progression of style in golf, don't you? the times are a changing, my friend. the days of khaki shorts, navy blue shirts and white and brown saddle golf shoes are LONG gone.

When I wear my khaki shorts and navy shirt, I wear my white/brown saddle Reelfits with them. The rf's are great shoes that do exactly what dcmidnight said about his hiking boots. When I replace my black FJ's, I will get another pair of Reelfits.

FJ is facing the same thing everyone else does: competition. They had cornered the market, so they became the target. It's normal and happens in every type of business.

For a similar golf comparison, look at Wilson. They were one of the leading club manufacturer's in the late 70's/early 80's. Now, they're way down the list that is lead by TM, Mizzy, etc.

At the John Deere, FJ was worn by 71% of the pros with the nearest competitor being 17%. Combine that with the 51% marketshare and they're not going anywhere....they are still the world leader.

With what seems like a bazillion different styles made by Footjoy, surely you can find something that meets your sense of style. Over the years I have tried Etonic, Nike, Addias, Dexter (and more I can't remember) and none fit my foot and are as comfortable as Footjoy. I'm sure I commit golf fashion faux pas all the time, but that is on the bottom of my list of important issues on the course...well behind things like if I'm hitting the ball well, scoring well and my shoes are comfortable. I guess it might be an issue if the cute beverage cart girl makes a comment about my golf attire...but they generally ignore me so it hasn't been a problem.

Foot Joy tends to stick w/ the classy look w/ a little modern flare, such as the reel fit. Their ever popular Foot Joy Classics are pricy be a damn sexy shoe. If only I had the money.

Meanwhile Nike another main brand shoe manufacturer is more modern, with the square toe, big ole swoosh etc.

Just a matter of what you like. I want some footjoy eComforts those are next on my list

I agree that FootJoy has been somewhat stagnate. However, their new line of DryJoys have some really cool styles!

http://www.footjoy.com/dryjoys/

--discountgolfshoes.com

Footjoy's market share is less than in previous years purely because of competition.

Adidas, Nike, Puma, Ecco, Stuburt, Hi-Tec etc etc all make a great shoe whereas a few years ago, most of them didn't make a golf shoe at all!

Footjoy is still number one by a long way despite the huge marketing campaigns by other brands and the fact that two of them in particular have essentially made their billions from making sports shoes.

The decreased market share is only the same as Titleist balls. They're also still number one by a mile but there are more and more options for consumers nowadays.

I think the original poster is pretty close to hitting the nail on the head though. I'm at my course or a tournament 7 days a week and I rarely see anyone with FJ's on. The vast majority of my playing partners and friends where Adidas, Nike, and Ecco shoes. When I was younger everyone wore FJ Dryjoys. My entire group of friends had the same pair of black and brown ones for years. Some people I see have the occasional FJ Classic on, but no one I play with, especially when we're playing 36. For a younger and competitive crowd, I don't think that FJ can really compete in that market. I would wear FJ Classics if I could walk 36 holes comfortably in them, but I can't.
The issue is style and affordability. Now that there are so many shoes in the market place, its hard for one company to dominate like FJ did a decade ago.

I still like my FJ dry joys pro, but I'm not wearing those FJ reel fit. Are you gonna play golf or go skiing in those things. I really don't like nike and adidas as well, but PUMA and PUMA by JL are sweet looking shoes.

They will be mine. Oh yes, they will be mine:

I love my Dry Joy PROs too, and I ain't paying $200 for some ugly reel fits. Sad to agree with the original poster. I never liked how the reel fits looked, regardless of how good they feel, or how much market shart FJ has. If looks didn't matter, we wouldn't drive Mercedes and BMW's, but would settle for Kias. Footjoy still has some other shoes in the market that are nice looking, but just not the reel fits.

I just bought some Adidas Powerbands, and must say they are the most comfortable and stable golf shoes that I have ever worn. Nikes look good, but aren't as comfortable for the long haul.

I don't understand how you could like those white shoes with the orange stripe unless your going to where a white leisure suite and going straight to the slots. Those shoes you posted says Doug Sanders all over them...which archive did you dig those from?

They're part of the current Classics Dry Premiere range.

I think they're the best shoe available but different people have different opinions which is great otherwise we'd all be wearing the same thing. Despite the amount of competition that Footjoy has, they are still miles ahead of their next nearest competitor in terms of sales so there's obviously others out there that also like their range.

Just out of interest, what is your shoe of choice if you don't go for the classic look?

This guy has a knack for knocking everything, from TW's stance on public issues to Foot Joys to the Speed Stick, then he posts a retarded British open pick list with a bunch of unfunny conclusions. I think we should quit giving him the time of day...

Let me guess, you don't get out much do you?

As the post above me said, this style is from the newest line of Classics. And in my opinion, instant classics. They will go quite fetchingly with my neon orange JL belt. I have heard through the grapevine that you can customize the color of the stripe. I see neon greens, in addition to the orange ones, in my immediate future.

I'm guessing you're a fat, Dockers guy, eh?

Then why do you feel the need to read his topics, or better yet reply?

Looks like you can get myjoys with college and mlb logos now (see GolfingAsia post#1). Sweet!

http://www.myjoys.com

tgw.com does closeout and factory blem Classics that price around $160 shipped.
Now I know what I want for Xmas- that orange stripe shoe is beautiful. Love the lavendar saddle too.

I'm kind of golf traditionalist. I'm not a big fan of the flashy stuff....but doesn't mean I don't respect the person....it's all in good fun...I laugh the hardest when i get needled....it's one of the more enjoyable parts of amatuer golf, is to make fun of your friends and own swing faults....and fashion sense, or lack there of.

Yes...i'm not daring and I am on the bland side...I may get sassy and wear matching socks and hat...but you dont' want to hear that

I just saw footjoys new catalog and they have some really sweet models. The new dryjoys are awesome! It's no wonder why they're the market leaders with such a huge market share. there's a shoe for every golfer in the line.

I was given a pair of reelfits for a member guest gift and the fit is amazing. most comfortable shoes i've ever worn.

I have been a Nike wearer until this year when i went Adidas. But i will say Footjoy still makes a great shoe, i would have bought the Black P.R.O. if they were in stock. I will say i love my adidas they are soo comfy.

I have been wearing Footjoy Dryjoys PRo for 2 years and they are awesome. Before that the X Dimension, those were great as well. I just bought a pair of Contours on close out (see pic) for $65 and were SUPER COMFY right out of the box!

Golfasia how do you like these?