FootJoy Releases M Project

[newtogolf]

FootJoy has jumped into the minimalist golf shoe market with their new M Project shoes.  It looks like they are going after True and Ecco with this line that includes both spike and spikeless options.

[caniac6]

I would like FootJoy to come out with a traditional looking shoe with the molded spikes. I'm not too crazy about the shoes that look like sneakers.

[newtogolf]

FootJoy has the Professional spikeless which have the molded spikes in a traditional golf shoe look.  They aren't minimalist but I think they fit what you're looking for.

Originally Posted by caniac6

I would like FootJoy to come out with a traditional looking shoe with the molded spikes. I'm not too crazy about the shoes that look like sneakers.

[roperdad]

Count me in!  I run in minimalist shoes and have become a fan.  I'll be sporting these as soon as they are available for purchase .  In black... and  brown... and???

[mchepp]

Very excited to see this. I am very happy that shoe companies are responding to the desire of golfers to have light shoes with little to no heel drop.  Excellent.

[tristanhilton85]

Those look pretty cool... Any ideas on what the heel drop is?

[newtogolf]

It's not a zero drop, only references I could find claim they reduced the typical height by 42%.

Originally Posted by tristanhilton85

Those look pretty cool... Any ideas on what the heel drop is?

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by tristanhilton85

Those look pretty cool... Any ideas on what the heel drop is?

Originally Posted by newtogolf

It's not a zero drop, only references I could find claim they reduced the typical height by 42%.

Hey guys, I know this is probably a dumb question, but I just want to confirm, as I am almost in the market for a new pair of shoes and am seriously considering the Trues.  When you say "heel drop," is that simply the distance from you heel to the ground while you are wearing them?

What is a typical shoes heel drop vs. say, the True's?  (For comparisons sake)

It sounds like Foot Joys these would fall in between those two.

Lastly, are the lower heels better for your feet, or is it simply a matter of preference?

Thanks!

[Ernest Jones]

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

Hey guys, I know this is probably a dumb question, but I just want to confirm, as I am almost in the market for a new pair of shoes and am seriously considering the Trues.  When you say "heel drop," is that simply the distance from you heel to the ground while you are wearing them?

What is a typical shoes heel drop vs. say, the True's?  (For comparisons sake)

It sounds like Foot Joys these would fall in between those two.

Lastly, are the lower heels better for your feet, or is it simply a matter of preference?

Thanks!

FWIW I bought a pair of Trues at the end of the season for $40!!!! and they are awesome. If you can find a deal like that on an older model I recommend grabbing them and trying them out. My guess is that the FJ will cost considerably more but you'll be paying for the marketing.

[newtogolf]

Not a stupid question, until I got into running I had no idea about it either.  Zero drop is basically a level platform from forefoot to heel.  Most shoes tend to build up the heel, where as minimalist shoes are similar to walking or running barefoot in that the sole and padding are equal thickness along the entire shoe.

The M Projects would be in between the standard shoes and a minimalist shoe.  I think it's preference.  The running shoe industry has gone back and forth on this.

If your feet aren't flat or very high arches and you don't severely over pronate or under pronate while running then you'd be a good candidate for minimalist shoes.

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

Hey guys, I know this is probably a dumb question, but I just want to confirm, as I am almost in the market for a new pair of shoes and am seriously considering the Trues.  When you say "heel drop," is that simply the distance from you heel to the ground while you are wearing them?

What is a typical shoes heel drop vs. say, the True's?  (For comparisons sake)

It sounds like Foot Joys these would fall in between those two.

Lastly, are the lower heels better for your feet, or is it simply a matter of preference?

Thanks!

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by newtogolf

Not a stupid question, until I got into running I had no idea about it either.  Zero drop is basically a level platform from forefoot to heel.  Most shoes tend to build up the heel, where as minimalist shoes are similar to walking or running barefoot in that the sole and padding are equal thickness along the entire shoe.

The M Projects would be in between the standard shoes and a minimalist shoe.  I think it's preference.  The running shoe industry has gone back and forth on this.

If your feet aren't flat or very high arches and you don't severely over pronate or under pronate while running then you'd be a good candidate for minimalist shoes.

Oh thanks!  I'm glad I asked, because I had it wrong. :)

I have pretty "standard issue" feet as far as I know (not too archy, not flat) so it's good to know that these types might be good for me!

[xmanhockey7]

Tried a few pairs on at Dick's Sporting Goods the other day and I immediately fell in love with these shoes. Ordered a pair in white and black. Can't wait for them to come in. I was afraid they might make me too close to the ground but I didn't get that feel.

[Mac62]

I've got 4 rounds and 3-4 range/practice green sessions on a pair of the gray mesh spikeless Project M shoes.  First couple rounds were on cold (50's* F), dewy mornings, last few have been hot (low 90's* F), dry afternoons.  I'll qualify my opinion by saying I'm a big fan of minimalist shoes in general and they're almost the only shoes I wear - I own (and love) several pairs of Vibram Five Fingers (VFF) and a pair of Merrell Barefoots.  A big part of my purchase decision for the M Projects was to find a golf shoe that gave me a similar minimalist feel.

First off, while the M Project does have very minimal heel drop and gives you the 'close to the ground' feeling, the sole doesn't feel like a barefoot shoe in the sense of VFFs - it's definitely not as thin, soft or pliable.  The toe box isn't as wide as my Merrell Barefoots (and doesn't have the accompanying "clown shoe" look either), but it does feel roomy (but not sloppy) in the toes and ball of the foot.  While traditionalists may hate the look, the shoe looks sleeker/thinner than it feels, even on my size 13 feet.  The comments I've gotten about the looks of the shoe from friends I've golfed with have all been favorable.  I'd say the most different/non-traditional thing about the looks is the stitching pattern, but I don't find it objectionable.

Sizing, at least for me, runs right in line with all my other shoes - the 13 fits like a 13 in any other shoe I wear.  Comfort-wise, they're very comfortable right out of the box with no break-in.  My other golf shoes are an old pair of FootJoy saddle shoes and a pair of Oakley Ripcords, and the M Project is more comfortable than either of them.  It's not a feather-light shoe (around 14 oz. IIRC), but it certainly doesn't feel heavy on the feet either.

I've had no issues with grip, even on the wet/dewy mornings.  They claim to be waterproof and while I haven't gone pond wading, my feet stayed completely dry while tromping through tall, wet  grass/weeds tracking down errant shots.  I experienced no slippage walking up/down hills or during golf shots.  The spiked (nubbed, actually) sole wraps partway up the side of the shoe on the inside toe edge of the right foot and the outside toe edge of the left foot, presumably mimicking weight shift during the swing.  It wraps partially up both the inside and the outside in the heel area.  The soles offer very good traction and while they don't transfer the same amount of feel as a conventional minimalist/barefoot shoe, they do offer more tactile feedback than a traditional thick-soled golf shoe.  As far as stability goes, I feel like I can use my feet more ('feeling' weight transfer, pronation/supination) than a traditional golf shoe, but they don't feel like they sacrifice any stability as a tradeoff.  Personally I'd like the sole to be even thinner/more pliable, but FootJoy's design rationale was apparently that they didn't think it would transfer over as well to golf as it does for running/training shoes (judging from what I read in one of the intro/preview articles).

The mesh upper breathes well.  My feet didn't feel unduly cold during the cold morning rounds, but I've definitely noticed a difference the last couple days in our 90*+ desert temps...the airflow is very welcome in helping keep my feet cool.

Overall - if you're looking for a comfortable minimalist-type golf shoe and you can get past the non-traditional look, the M Project is worth considering.  I haven't tried the offerings from Ecco, True Linkswear, etc., so I can't offer a direct comparison to any of them.  I'm currently debating whether I want to pick up a second pair of M Projects in white or try the True Linkswear Sensei, which looks like another good minimalist-type shoe (I'll be interested to see the user reviews after a few people have tried them out).  Just in case this comes off as a "pimp" review, I'll add the disclaimer that I don't work for, or hold any interest whatsoever, in FootJoy - just a satisfied customer.