If someone said you could increase the power of your swing without changing it, would you believe them?
You’d be sceptical, sure. But you’d be interested – don’t even try to deny that.
What if the same person told you 70 per cent of all golfers play in shoes the wrong size?
Yes, you heard correctly – seventy per cent. Suddenly, the first statement becomes far more plausible,right?
The fact that (on average) only one golfer out of every weekend four-ball is walking the course in shoes tailored to his or her feet is almost shameful. We were supposed to be educated!
The modern golfer is more aware than ever of the importance of being custom fit for equipment. We’ve done TrackMan sessions, and we know the difference between ‘shot dispersion’ and ‘dynamic loft’. Yet we don’t seem to realise the University of Massachusetts’ biomechanics lab once published a study proving correctly fitted shoes can give golfers more force in the downswing. FootJoy’s mission is to educate golfers about the amount of force their feet must withstand during the swing, and even walking around the course.
“Getting fitted for runners is now universally accepted – people want to protect their feet while exercising,” says FootJoy Product Manager Chris Patterson. “Yet most golfers aren’t aware of the importance of correctly fitted golf shoes, nor the amount of force that actually goes through the feet at impact,” says Patterson. “For a golfer, being fitted for footwear is probably more important than runners because you’re walking up to 10 kilometres or so and swinging a club, placing stress on the feet and legs.”
Don’t Underestimate Width
Of the 70 per cent of golfers not properly shoe fitted, FootJoy has found an overwhelming majority would not have the shoe width their feet require.
Golfers can determine their shoe length in most cases, but you really need to go to a golf store and have a Brannock Device gauge your width. Most golfers get the medium or wide width as it fits the majority of golfers, but that isn’t everyone’s size.
FootJoy shoes are available in full and half sizes, from size 7 to 13 in core styles for men and 5 to 10 for women.
There are also four width options – narrow, medium, wide and extra wide for men, and medium and wide for women. If you would like a custom look and shoe size, you can design your own FJs via myjoys.com.au.
Signs of a poorly fitted golf shoe
• If you raise your heal and there is bunching around the toes, your shoe is too big.
• Can you see significant wear in the heel? Your shoes are too long for you. If you feel even the tiniest amount of slippage when you walk or swing the club, that’s another sign they’re too long.
• A goldilocks shoe (just right) should let out a ‘whoosh’ sound when you insert the foot. The break of the shoe should fall perfectly with the flex of the forefoot.
• It’s ideal to leave about half an inch of space between your longest toe and the end of your shoe.
Get Some Closer
To give your feet that extra snug feeling, FootJoy’s BoA Closure System pulls the foot down and back into the shoe for a precise fit.
For more information about shoe or glove fitting visit Footjoy.com.au/fitting
