Are "premium" shoes really worth it while swinging?

Curls

Curls

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Not wanting to hijack the last post on the waterproof quality of shoes...

There are a lot of folk in that thread extolling the virtues mid-range (£50 - £60ish) shoes, AQLs, Nike Lunars etc. What's the point in an Icon, Mizuno Stability, Dryjoy Tour? I hear it has something to do with the foot bridge/ support but are they really worth 2 or 3 times the price??! I'm not talking about comfort while walking, I'm talking about stability in the stance/swing - do they make a difference?

Am in the market for new shoes, my Greenjoys have done me since I took up golf a year and a bit ago but are on the way out. Are premium shoes only going to benefit top players or would everyone see the benefit of wearing these when it comes to swinging the bat?

Thanks chaps, Curls
 
I am of the opinion that FJ AQLs are a very good shoe for the price, comfort and waterproofness.
If you want to spend lots of money on top of the range shoes, fine but I couldn't comment on them being able to help you hit better shots as I've never owned a pair.
 
Surely thats the same for any sport.

Does a football boot that Beckham wears make you play like him? I buy the comfiest golf shoes that I can, as thats what I like when walking for 5ish miles 2-3 times a week.
 
Being a bit of a Shoe-whore, I'll throw my half-penneth in.....

I have 2 pair of Footjoy Classics, and a pair of Adidas 360 Ltd, and all cost me circa £100/pair (got the Classics for a bargain in the US).
The 360's are lighter, and very comfy, but I love the sturdiness and build quality of the Classics, they are 'proper' golf shoes.

Do either make me play better ? No, not that I have ever noticed.
Do either make me feel better ? Yes, when I wear the Classics, I feel like a Tour Pro :D
Are they worth £100+ ? Well, only the wearer can decide that, but to me yes, particularly when I factor in that I look after shoes, and have had all 3 pairs for at least 3 seasons already, and they'l last me at least 3 more too no doubt, probably longer.
I have an old pair of FJ Dryjoys that are about 15yrs old, and still fine too.

Dont pay good money if you never dream of cleaning/maintaining shoes.
 
Surely thats the same for any sport.

Does a football boot that Beckham wears make you play like him? I buy the comfiest golf shoes that I can, as thats what I like when walking for 5ish miles 2-3 times a week.
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Not sure that's a valid point, my Pings don't make me play like Lee Westwood but I have a better chance of hitting them than well than my 20-year old cheap sticks. They put a lot of money into developing the technology in these shoes, and even more into advertising them - I'm just asking if they're worth the hype.

I would have assumed that these premium shoes are comfy and waterproof, thats a given, what I'm asking is for anyone who has them to comment on their structure and whether it improves their stance/stability through the swing.

What did you get Murph?

And thanks Bob, there's no doubt that buying fancy shoes won't instantly knock strokes off my h/c, I'm just informing myself and at the moment

Macster, I was looking for a whore, and there you were :o

Thanks fella, that's the kind of answer I was hoping for, I know I'm not going to be instantly better, but if you really feel more stable and confident in what you call "proper" shoes, then I might just take a punt, it's my birthday ffs :D

On the subject, are Mizuno Stability in the same league as FY Dryjoy Tours? I'm narrowing down to these two. Cheers lads
 
The point I was trying to make (not very well by the look of it) is that no shoe is going to make you play better or only benefit a top player.

Only you can decide if you think a shoe is worth the extra investment, for me it's more about comfort when walking rather than stability when playing.
 
The point I was trying to make (not very well by the look of it) is that no shoe is going to make you play better or only benefit a top player.

Only you can decide if you think a shoe is worth the extra investment, for me it's more about comfort when walking rather than stability when playing.
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I get ya, and as I said I know its not going to make me better

Murph - Dancer. Thanks chap, somewhere in a shoebag in Lincoln some Greenjoys are crying little tears of joy.

Unbeknownst to them, tis but a brief reprieve. ;)
 
Simple situation for me. I am terrible at looking after shoes be it work ones, casual, my old rugby boots or golf shoes so I know that after a year or so they will be knackered. For that reason I tend to spend no more than about £30 or pick up sale bargains and that does me fine. if you look after your shoes then spend the big money and they will look after you but I know what I am like so do not see the point.
 
Most comfortable golf shoe's i've ever owned were Hi Tecs,i got them cheap,as i wanted something to wear mid winter,so looks were totally unimportant.They remained comfy and very waterproof,even though they remained in the boot of my car covered with mud,the whole winter.
Best looking,most stable shoes i've ever owned were the original Adidas 360's.The spikes on Adidas shoes are superb,no matter what the conditions.
I've only ever owned one pair of Footjoys (Fitdogs) i never liked the looks,or the performance of them,and they let water in after less than 6 weeks use.The Pro at my club offered to replace them,but i asked for a credit note,and spent the money on my first pair of Adidas Traxion Tours,i've been smitten with Adidas shoes ever since.
 
I have a pair of Nike and a pair of footjoys that cost around the £40 mark. Can't really fault them both comfortable and both keep my feet dry.

My dad has Footjoy Dryjoy Tours. They are better material, softer leather and very comfortable. The uppers of my Footjoys are less than a year old and show signs of cracking despite me cleaning them and caring for them. My dads are older and look like new. But don't provide any better grip. Think that sums it up really.

They'll not make you you play any better but they will last longer and therefore probably work out the same cost or cheaper in the long term.

For stability though I think that the grips are the most important. I've changed my grips around so those with less wear are swapped with those with more wear as, in my head anyway, these are the ones doing the work. Soon I'll just replace the whole set with high quality grips.

Next pair I am getting will be Myjoys. I really like the idea of getting something that won't be picked up by ty everyone.
 
For me, a golf shoe must:

1. Be comfortable
2. Be totally waterproof
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Looks don't come into it???
I love these...
footjoyiconwhitered_21209.jpg
 
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