FootJoy has continued its commitment to supporting retailers with the launch of educational days focusing on the importance of correctly fitted, performance footwear.
FJ has over 100 years of performance and design innovation – a proud history and heritage that is unmatched within the industry, setting the standard for golf-specific performance technology.
UK and Irish retailers were invited to Bearwood Lakes where the FJ team focused on providing additional resources to help quantify the impact of wearing the right golf shoes with the help of biomechanics expert and Director of GASPS Systems, Steve Gould.
DP World Tour players, an elite amateur and a Professional World Long Driver were utilised for practical demonstrations. With the help of force plates, Gould was able to demonstrate the role footwear plays in the golf swing to help increase clubhead speed and improve delivery.
From the data generated on the day, Gould was also able to reinforce how important it is for golfers of all levels to wear a pair of correctly fitted golf shoes to enhance performance on the golf course.
Could you share some details of what you were testing on the day?
“We looked at a variety of players, looking at how they all use the ground and what sort of golf shoe would best suit their games. Certainly at the performance end, you are looking to transfer as much energy from what you are producing in the lower body, into the ground and back into the body again, in which footwear plays an integral part in generating that power.”
- Steve Gould - Director of GASPS Systems and biomechanics expert.
How important is it to be wearing a pair of correctly fitted golf shoes?
“Making sure you are wearing a correctly fitted shoe is so important. One of the worst things you can have is a shoe where your feet are moving around inside when hitting a golf shot. If you don’t have the support to push whether that be from side-to-side, up-and-down or toe-to-heel, it is going to be tough for any golfer to be able to perform their best.
“It has been great to hear from retailers saying how they are going to use what they have learned today to advise their customers on how they can gain free clubhead speed and make their golf games that bit more enjoyable.”
Is being fitted for golf shoes as important as being fitted for golf clubs?
“Absolutely. Not many people these days are buying golf clubs off the shelf and are instead spending the time to get custom fit. When it comes to footwear and shoe technology, I don’t think this is often talked about as much in terms of how it can aid performance, both from a walking perspective but also when hitting golf shots on the golf course.”
Alongside the biomechanics workshop, FootJoy also put on some breakout sessions where retailers got an exclusive look at the FJ 2025 performance footwear line as well as also taking part in a shoe fitting masterclass with an FJ Product Specialist, utilising the state-of-the-art FJ Volumental fitting technology.
Sharing their experiences from the event, many retailers felt like they could now talk about footwear with their customers in a greater light, using elements of what they learned as key selling tools which will help drive more cash into the till.
“When Steve was talking about force plates, I knew how important they are when analysing the golf swing but wasn’t aware of the impact a pair of golf shoes could have in that relationship,” said, Tom Minshull, The Grove. “We were also taught about the impact of the sole of a golf shoe and the different thicknesses, really linking into what every type of golfer needs, so I will definitely be taking that away with me.”
Alex Beckett, Frilford Heath Golf Club, discussed how he leans on FootJoy’s large footwear catalogue when it comes to fitting golfers at his golf shop.
“It is extremely important to have the large footwear range FootJoy currently do. It is not a one size fits all for everybody, so being able to cater for every single golfer out there is so important. FootJoy is a performance golf shoe, not just a comfort shoe.”
Equipment Golf Writer, Sam De’Ath, was also in attendance on behalf of Golf Monthly and admitted that despite playing golf at an elite amateur level, he has never been able to find a golf shoe that has fitted him correctly.
“I have already struggled with fit and have bounced around with different manufacturers in the past,” said De’Ath. “After a proper fitting today with FootJoy where I have been able to test shoes in different half sizes as well medium and wide offerings, I realised I was in a shoe that was too large for me. This ultimately meant that I was losing power when hitting golf shots due to the lack of friction.”
FootJoy is one of the only footwear brands in golf to offer half sizes and multiple width options. This is demonstrated in the FJ Traditions spiked franchise where there are styles that feature up to 52 different sizing options covering men, women and juniors, all to ensure every golfer has a properly fitted shoe that will help them improve their performance on the course.
From a retailer perspective too, getting golfers into a correctly fitted pair of golf shoes will help reduce shoe returns due to fewer players getting either blistering, swelling or just general foot pain/discomfort which can largely come from wearing a poorly fitted shoe.
The event was then capped off with all those in attendance getting to enjoy 18 holes around Bearwood Lakes Golf Club in a friendly team competition format.
FootJoy have since followed up with their second education event at Dumbarnie Links with DP World Tour players, Stephen Gallacher and Grant Forrest also in attendance.
To register your interest in future events and education workshops, please contact your regional FootJoy Area Sales Manager for more information.
