Behind the scenes with FootJoy

Eight course reviewers won the chance to play a Top 100 course and go behind the scenes with FootJoy to discover what goes into making the No.1 shoe and glove in golf...

Behind the scenes with FootJoy

By posting a review of a course that sits within the prestigious Golf Monthly Top 100 rankings, you automatically got entered into a golf day with a difference. Courtesy of title sponsor FootJoy, eight winners came along to a special event at Notts Golf Club to go behind the scenes of FootJoy's R&D department and discover what exactly goes into making the No.1 shoe and glove in golf. They also got to play the Top 100 course in a number of different glove and shoe models. Check out our gallery from this special event below...

Product Insight

First up for the competition winners was a product lowdown from Jeremy Baldwin, Director of Product Management for FootJoy. He explained the thought processes behind some of the unique shoe designs as well as what goes on during every manufacturing stage.

Fully-stocked goodie bags greeted our lucky winners, comprising an outfit with their team colour for the day as well as waterproofs, socks, a belt and sleeve of Titleist Pro V1 balls.

Shoe fitting

It was then on to get fitted for their shoes. FootJoy's research has found that over 70 per cent of golfers are wearing the wrong size shoe and that an ill-fitting pair can lead to a 20 per cent loss in power. Over the course of 18 holes, each reader would try the new HyperFlex and one spikeless model from either DryJoys or Contour Casual.

FootJoy's team of fitters use a Brannock device to assess both foot length and width. It's important when fitted to wear the same style of sock you intend to wear on the golf course in order to get the best fit.

On the tee...

Competition winner Sam Mendoza drives off the second tee at Notts Hollinwell, a short but tricky par four with gorse lurking down the right side.

The new HyperFlex model, with its cutting-edge FlexGrid 2.0 technology, proved to be a popular shoe with our winners, who praised the exceptional stability, grip and comfort they experienced.

Five handicap Michael Campbell, who reviewed Carne Golf Club in Ireland to book his place, drives one down the middle supported by the FJ Contour Casual shoe underfoot.

After nine holes, it was time to switch from a spikeless shoe to HyperFlex, or vice versa.

The bad weather that was forecast thankfully stayed away, allowing our winners along with GM staff members to enjoy the course, including the stunning downhill par-three 13th.

Treat at the 19th hole

As a final treat for the competition winners after the round, they got the chance to speak to FJ's US-based shoe designer Daren Wedle and glove and sock expert Maria Bonzagni over Skype.

Considering all the elements that made up this special day, it came as no surprise to hear nothing but positive comments from our winners. Some had travelled for over four hours to arrive in time, even stopping off at a B&B the night before to ensure a prompt arrival, which goes to show how exciting an opportunity it was for any golfer. What was clear for all to see was that the product delivered and if you’re wearing the right shoes, you really are one step ahead of everyone else.

Read more about this special event in the June issue of Golf Monthly, on sale mid April.