Old Man Rant - New Golf Shoes Look Cheap

I know I can go get just about whatever style I want. If I want traditional saddles there are several manufacturers out there.

Just an observation but the athletic styled stuff looks cheap. It may have a ton of technology built in, space-age (maybe we are beyond the space-age now?) materials and lightweight. BUT to my eye some of these innovations make the shoes look lightly made and cheap.

I had a FJ email in my inbox this morning for the spikeless shoes they now offer. I was a FJ man through and through but have drifted away as I have just not cared for what they are putting out. I actually wear an older Skechers model most often now that is built inside more like a tennis shoe but outside still a traditional look. The foam used in the soles to make them lighter is especially jarring to me.

I guess my point/question is, can the manufacturers cram all that technology into the shoes without them looking plasticky and tacky?

Golf shoes

There are plenty of current options with classic looks and great tech. I'm honestly not sure why you'd complain about lighter materials in a shoe that you're going to walk 6-7 miles at a time in, but if you want heavy uncomfortable shoes then have at it.




Now, I'm not saying there haven't been some absolute abominations released since the sneaker trend started. Ahem... FJ...


i"m sure they will keep cranking out wingtips and saddle shoes for 'traditionalists' who hate the new styles. But times have changed. They are chasing the bigger market right now...

Those adipures looks so good in the gray or white colorway, but can’t find any reviews. Can’t tell if that little amount of boost makes em comfy enough. They look smooth tho.

http://www.gfore.com/men-shop/gallivanter-shoes/mens-golf-shoes/saddle-gallivanter.html

I think these combine a bit of both.

Knit/cloth shoes look cheap. Because they are.

Knit shoes look like something a character in a Renaissance Faire would wear.

> @smashdn said:

> I know I can go get just about whatever style I want. If I want traditional saddles there are several manufacturers out there.

>

> Just an observation but the athletic styled stuff looks cheap. It may have a ton of technology built in, space-age (maybe we are beyond the space-age now?) materials and lightweight. BUT to my eye some of these innovations make the shoes look lightly made and cheap.

>

> I had a FJ email in my inbox this morning for the spikeless shoes they now offer. I was a FJ man through and through but have drifted away as I have just not cared for what they are putting out. I actually wear an older Skechers model most often now that is built inside more like a tennis shoe but outside still a traditional look. The foam used in the soles to make them lighter is especially jarring to me.

>

> I guess my point/question is, can the manufacturers cram all that technology into the shoes without them looking plasticky and tacky?

I went to Golf Galaxy the other day, and tried on a bunch of shoes, but didn't buy any. It seems like the quality of golf shoes has declined.

> @acemandrake said:

> Knit/cloth shoes look cheap. Because they are.

> Knit shoes look like something a character in a Renaissance Faire would wear.

>

That's what I am saying. You cram tons of technology (lightweight materials and whatnot) but then you have that cloth/knit upper and ask $150 plus I can't go there. It might legitimately be worth the price, but it doesn't look like it should.

The G/Fore Gallivanters offer the best of both worlds, IMO. As noted by a few guys above. Take a look at them. Good stuff, modern, high quality, classy.

> @Togatown22 said:

> The G/Fore Gallivanters offer the best of both worlds, IMO. As noted by a few guys above. Take a look at them. Good stuff, modern, high quality, classy.

Oh yeah, I know there are shoes out there that combine classic looks and high quality.

Ecco has some stuff out there that fits that mold. The adidas tour 360 has the look too.

Now that I did more digging maybe this is just a footjoy phenomena. Outside of the icons and dryjoy tours they just don't look good to my eye.

smashdn, I understand your points. most modern shoes look more like athletic footwear.

I'm a long time FJ user though the brand has changed for their mid range styles.

give Adidas a chance. great support and comfortable.

also the Ecco Hybrids. real leather and great feel.

there's a reason some things have been updated.

many of the new styles are muted and not full of plastic add-ons.

> @smashdn said:

> > @Togatown22 said:

> > The G/Fore Gallivanters offer the best of both worlds, IMO. As noted by a few guys above. Take a look at them. Good stuff, modern, high quality, classy.

>

> Oh yeah, I know there are shoes out there that combine classic looks and high quality.

> Ecco has some stuff out there that fits that mold. The adidas tour 360 has the look too.

> Now that I did more digging maybe this is just a footjoy phenomena. Outside of the icons and dryjoy tours they just don't look good to my eye.

I would agree that Footjoy has lost their way a bit. They used to own the shoe market. As it has expanded, they haven't been able to find their niche. They've been all over the board.

> @mantan said:

> > @smashdn said:

> > > @Togatown22 said:

> > > The G/Fore Gallivanters offer the best of both worlds, IMO. As noted by a few guys above. Take a look at them. Good stuff, modern, high quality, classy.

> >

> > Oh yeah, I know there are shoes out there that combine classic looks and high quality.

> > Ecco has some stuff out there that fits that mold. The adidas tour 360 has the look too.

> > Now that I did more digging maybe this is just a footjoy phenomena. Outside of the icons and dryjoy tours they just don't look good to my eye.

>

> I would agree that Footjoy has lost their way a bit. They used to own the shoe market. As it has expanded, they haven't been able to find their niche. They've been all over the board.

Yes, but they still have a quality shoe for a reasonable price. They still are my 'go-to' golf shoe.

For example :

https://www.footjoy.com/golf-shoes/men/spiked/fj-fury/000FUR.html?dwvar_000FUR_color=51101#utm_term=footjoy&utm_campaign=Bing_Footjoy+A1+-+Exact&utm_medium=cpc&msclkid=5eb7fb8d34651956c45ca7494c57a8f3&utm_source=bing&utm_content=FootJoy&start=2

Icons and DryJoys. Stable, comfortable, classic style, leather. Checks all the boxes for me.

Are there any accesible shoemakers that make high quality leather good year welted golf shoes? Allen Edmonds did this for a bit with their honors collection but they have gone away from this.

Typically trendy sneaker/athletic shoe designs fail at providing the stability I require and craftsmanship. However, I discovered and bought a pair of ECCO Men's Cool 18 Gore-Tex Golf shoes and love them. They are not inexpensive but worth the price. They are so comfortable I could wear them without socks.

> @Pepperturbo said:

> Typically trendy sneaker/athletic shoe designs fail at providing the stability I require and craftsmanship. However, I discovered and bought a pair of ECCO Men's Cool 18 Gore-Tex Golf shoes and love them. They are not inexpensive but worth the price. They are so comfortable I could wear them without socks.

Ecco shoes look good to me, but I seem to be between their sizing.

Oldish man here as well and as someone with foot problems, I appreciate a comfortable shoe to walk in. Too many decades of wearing saddle style shoes with nails on the bottom created my problem. I bought a pair of sketchers this season and am loving them. To each their own. Thank goodness for options.

As long as we are complaining, I want to make a motion to do away with white outsoles. Hello, we are walking in grass, mud, and dirt! I've never seen a hiking shoe with white outsoles, gee I wonder why.

> @"Brick Tamland" said:

> There are plenty of current options with classic looks and great tech. I'm honestly not sure why you'd complain about lighter materials in a shoe that you're going to walk 6-7 miles at a time in, but if you want heavy uncomfortable shoes then have at it.

> 

> 

> 

> Now, I'm not saying there haven't been some absolute abominations released since the sneaker trend started. Ahem... FJ...

> 

>

>

>

Whoa! I gotta have those Nikes with the reptile print upper!

Never seen them before...what model are they?

FJ Pro SLs work well for me

Same boat here... traditional FootJoy Classics customer. Looking for something a little less stodgy and little more modern. Don't like many of the shoe options on the market right now and trying to do away with the "saddle" look. I agree on the white bottoms, what's the point, they'll look like s*** after one or two rounds.

> @Minarets said:

> Those adipures looks so good in the gray or white colorway, but can’t find any reviews. Can’t tell if that little amount of boost makes em comfy enough. They look smooth tho.

I love my adipures I wear them in the shop alot but are also really great on the course. Not nearly as much boost as the new tour 360's but just the right amount in my opinion.

I wholeheartedly agree. The new FJ Fury is £130 worth of plastic and more plastic. It looks bland as well. At least some of the more classic Skechers still have leather uppers. Nothing looks worse than an immaculate pair of tailored shorts or trousers and some cheap plastic faux trainers.

> Whoa! I gotta have those Nikes with the reptile print upper!

>

> Never seen them before...what model are they?

>

Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour

> @theboypinoy said:

>

> > Whoa! I gotta have those Nikes with the reptile print upper!

> >

> > Never seen them before...what model are they?

> >

>

>

> Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour

Got it...thank YOU!

> @smashdn said:

> I know I can go get just about whatever style I want. If I want traditional saddles there are several manufacturers out there.

>

> Just an observation but the athletic styled stuff looks cheap. It may have a ton of technology built in, space-age (maybe we are beyond the space-age now?) materials and lightweight. BUT to my eye some of these innovations make the shoes look lightly made and cheap.

They all look cheap. But they are much more comfortable. My favorites are the Footjoy Contour Casuals. Yes, they look cheap but are soooo comfortable.