The Most Iconic Golf Shoe Ever Made

I prefer wearing pants on the golf course because I think it looks better. Its also because i have calves like a racehorse. Pants also compliment the type of golf shoes I prefer to wear. Even as a teenager I thought a classically styled, well-kept pair of leather-soled golf shoes looked amazing. I am sure my favourite professional golfers were part of the influence, but I believe it’s in my DNA, as my mum and dad both appreciate great shoes. I assume that some would suggest my taste is old fashioned but I think classic is a better description. When you look at players like Hogan, Palmer, Seve and more recently Adam Scott you cannot deny they were, and still are some of the most stylishly dressed players who have graced our game. All of these players have worn Footjoy Classics at some stage of their career and as the saying goes … shoes maketh the man.

These days the popular golf shoes are that of the athletic kind. I am no fashionista but I think these shoes are a fashion faux pas when worn with pants, akin to wearing sneakers with a suit. I do admit there is a place for the athletic shoes when they are worn with shorts. Shorts are a problem though as members clubs still require you to tuck your shirt in. Tucking the polo shirt into shorts is a fiasco that makes me feel like a 6-year-old being dressed by my mother. Clubs need to relax dress regulations and allow shirts to be untucked. But really who cares what I think anyway. I digress.

I am not ready to admit I have a golf shoe fetish yet but I am happy to acknowledge that I have a weakness for Footjoy classics and Footjoy shoes in general. Golfers born before 1980 will certainly know the shoes that I am referring to as they were the shoes worn by most of the best players in the world throughout the 80s, 90s and into the 2000s. There is no doubt that fashion throughout these decades was questionable at best. Dreadful colours and designs splashed all over shirts and pants made predominately from the evil sisters, Poly and Ester. Yet to me the shoes worn during these times, especially the classics, have a timeless appeal.

The Footjoy Classic ticks all the boxes in what I want in a golf shoe with unparalleled looks and terrific function. They have a firm upper that allows very little lateral movement during the swing and the leather sole provides a certain heft and whilst heavy, always gives me a very secure, grounded feeling. The all-white classic is by far the best-looking shoe ever made but are as high maintenance as your ex-girlfriend. The dark coloured classics is where the value is and will last you many years if you take care of them. The darker leathers hide the nicks and scratches really well and tend to match with most pants. The greatest advantage of the darker leathers is they become better looking after a few polishes. I am sure most will agree that nothing looks better than a leather product with a polished, worn-in aesthetic.

My maintenance tips are a little dubbin applied occasionally to the upper and sole which seems to help with the moisture resistance and their pliability. Shoe trees are also a worthwhile investment as they help the shoes maintain their shape and pull moisture out of the leather. The classics do have their drawbacks however with them being high maintenance and slightly on the expensive side. The way I justify the price is to think about cost per wear, as the value is exceptional, especially compared to today’s disposable rubbish. The other downside is the soles not being waterproof so I suggest not wearing them when rain is forecast.

I have owned many pairs of footjoy classics over the years and I still have more pairs than I would like to admit. One pair I was given to me in 2010 of which I have never worn. I do on occasion scour eBay where typing “footjoy classic” will bring up an array of mostly second-hand shoes. There are new pairs still available but you will pay a premium of anywhere between $200 to $400 US and about $600 to $800 US for exotic leather. There are always bargains to be had and occasionally a great pair for around $100-150 US will become available. I do urge you to make sure you do your homework if you are considering a pair. Contact the seller to ensure all the spikes can be removed and the threads are in good condition. Look carefully at the photos, especially the soles to ensure they are in decent order. Be careful buying the exotic leathers if they are to be shipped internationally. There are some countries which will refuse certain types of leathers, so do your groundwork and check if your country allows ostrich to be imported before clicking the purchase button. Another hint is to ensure you purchase the correct width. The D fitting is regular, C is narrow and E is wide.

If you just want a regular pair of golf shoes then consider the Footjoy range (www.footjoy.com), especially the current Footjoy Icon which has the Classic DNA. Footjoy are by far the best golf shoes on the planet as I have worn them since I was a kid. What I do find heartening is that I am obviously not alone in my liking for a beautifully crafted Footjoy shoe. So before you by your next pair of plastic nursing shoes make sure you check the Footjoy website first. Maybe even consider some classics.