As the game of golf continues to grow at unprecedented levels, one thing is apparent. There is no easy way to typify the new breed of players coming into the game. Their backgrounds, interests, and reasons for taking up the game are as diverse as the outfits they wear to the course.
And no better example of that can be seen than in footwear. After a banner 2021, FootJoy is out with a 2022 product line that all at once embraces tradition, technology, and the different interests of new and existing players.
Even among their Tour player ambassadors, FootJoy sees several different perspectives on golf shoes. Some like the athletic style, while others prefer something more traditional. Some wear spikes, and others like them spikeless. They all seem to agree, however, that golf shoes are an important part of their equipment and style; FootJoy’s four new offerings for 2022 reflect that. Let’s break them down.
FUEL: LIGHTWEIGHT, ATHLETIC, EASY ON THE EYES
FJ FUEL FootJoy continues to recognize the athletic category of golf shoe as one of the most important; this year's release of FUEL really checks all the boxes for those looking for a shoe that incorporates the best features of athletic footwear.
Picking up these shoes for the first time we were amazed at how light they are; FootJoy's proprietary StratoLite foam provides the kind of structure and comfort you need to walk 36 holes in an extremely lightweight material while the Power Stabilizer outsole allows players to "push off" as hard and fast as their bodies allow. In case you wonder if the lightweight construction can stand up to the needs of top Tour players, take note of some of the players who will be wearing them this season: Jessica Korda, Max Homa and Will Zalatoris have already added them to their "shoe rota."
PRICE & AVAILABILITY
$145 (men)/$135 (women) laced
$175 (men)/$165 (women) BOA
At retail Jan. 28, 2022
TRADITIONAL: PREMIERE SERIES - FIELD
Premiere Series - Field 2021 brought one of FootJoy’s most successful product launches ever – DryJoys Premiere. These functional models mixed technology with tradition, drawing on years of history, and a design library unparalleled in the industry.
For 2022, The Field makes its debut, and you’ll likely notice Justin Thomas wearing it. He loves the simple, classic stylings of the textured leather outsole, combined with the latest technology to grip the turf – FootJoy’s proprietary VersaTrax+ Spikeless Outsole. We love how The Field looks in long pants or shorts, and how comfortable and lightweight they are without losing the classic stylings.
The Field, incidentally, is named for one of FootJoy’s founders, Fred Field. The company was originally called Field and Flint Company and later the Fred F. Field Company before it officially became FootJoy in 1920. They are available in four gorgeous colors; white, black, brown, and a white/brick combination.
PRICE & AVAILABILITY
$220
At retail Mar. 1, 2022
TOUR ALPHA: 159 POINTS OF TRACTION
Tour Alpha If your swing gets power from the ground up, two things are important. A snug fit and ground-gripping traction. The new Tour Alpha is designed to hug the foot. Constructed of supple Pittards ChromoSkin leather, the Tour Alpha's are waterproof and lightweight. On the inside, an OthoLite fitbed provides immediate comfort that gets even better as it molds to the foot over time.
The distinct exterior of the shoe is not just for looks. What you see is FootJoy's proprietary OPS System (Optimized Performance Stabilizer), made up of the external 3D molded heel counter, A-Frame and the lateral clip works to lock you in, whether you choose the lace-up or BOA closure system.
PRICE & AVAILABILITY
$210.00 Laced
$240.00 BOA
$270.00 Dual BOA
At retail Mar. 15, 2022
PRO | SL and PRO | SL CARBON
Pro | SL Carbon When you have the most highly-searched shoe models in the world, you should keep making it better. And that's what FootJoy's leadership really does right with both the Pro SL and Pro SL Carbon models.
“The new Pro|SLis a true celebration of an industry icon,” said Chris Tobias, Vice President, FJ Footwear. “With our unrelenting commitment to perfection through endless improvements and tweaks, no matter big or small, we’ve made the new Pro|SL fitter, faster, stronger, and more comfortable.”
Both models now have StratoFoam in the midsection, and clean new upper designs. They are also both spikeless, but with 189 points of contact to keep even the most aggressive golfers well-planted. The Pro | SL Carbon has a second layer of carbon fiber into the heel of the shoe. The benefits are twofold. You get more lateral stability during the golf swing, and a flex/snap-back to its molded position when you return to walking, recovering more of the energy generated while walking and allowing the body to work less.
PRICE & AVAILABILITY
$200 laced
$230 BOA
At retail Feb. 15, 2022