Issue link: https://digital.insidegolfmedia.com/i/855763
INSIDER Q&A ver.indd 1 12/1/1 ver.indd 1 12/1/1 ver.indd 1 12/1/1 ver.indd 1 12/1/1 ity or playing in wet conditions, I'll usually wear DryJoys Tour. And, if I just want to wear a more traditional look, you can't beat an Icon Black saddle or custom MyJoys Shield Tips. • • • why is a good pair of golf shoes so important? Adam Scott and other elite players will tell you that choosing the right shoe is one of the most important elements to optimizing overall performance. Comfort is an obvious requirement. Traction, rotation, stability, positioning, balance, ground force optimization are also factors that can make or break a golf swing. The right golf shoe can support your swing and improve your game. • • • what have you learned from your past experi- ences with shoe brands that you are bringing to footJoy? The two areas that come to mind are a continued focus on product innovation and a renewed commitment to con- sumer engagement 24/7/365. Product is king. At FootJoy, we'll continue to focus on bringing meaningful new performance in- novation across all of our categories to ensure that we continue to have the best footwear, apparel and gloves in the business. • • • what are some of your top priorities at footJoy with shoes and apparel? My goal is to unlock the potential that exists within our design and development team to ensure we continue to lead in design, innovation, fit, and overall performance for every golfer. Following recent introductions like DNA, HyperFlex, Freestyle and ProSL, we have a lot of momentum as a brand and we ex- pect that to continue. Everyone who wears a pair of FJ shoes should literally feel our commitment to the game. On the ap- parel side, there's really an open highway of opportunity for the brand. We've really just scratched the surface of what we can ac- complish. If you look at our Women's GolfLeisure collection, you can see how we can blend updated traditional styling with contemporary design elements to create collections that are unique and desirable for all golfers. • • • what are some of the most significant changes you've seen in the shoe industry? One of the biggest trends in golf footwear over the last 20 years or so has been the evolution of traction elements. While not much changed over the first century of golf shoe development, in the last decade we've seen the transition from metal to plastic "soft spikes," and then a surge in "spikeless" golf shoes. Even within spikeless we've seen a shift. What began as a category dedicated to casual, versatile shoes you could wear on and off the course, has evolved into a category of high-performance, Tour-caliber golf shoes. • • • what are some of the new footJoy products that you're most excited about? For footwear, the Pro SL golf shoe is extremely hot right now, as is the DNA Helix, which launched over the summer. FJ apparel continues to create excitement inside and outside of our building. For summer/fall we have three great fashion collections and an all-new technology in outerwear with the LTS jacket. I've been "testing" a few new mid-layer pieces and new lightweight performance shorts that will certainly have a permanent home in my closet! > C L I C K H E R E T O S H O P F O R F O O T J O Y G O L F S H O E S , G LO V E S A N D M E N ' S A N D W O M E N ' S A P PA R E L TAP INS WITH CHRIS LINDNER… how many pairs of golf shoes do you own? I think it may be close to 20 pairs. I love shoes. • • • how often do you play golf? Once a week during the season if I'm lucky. I wish it was more! • • • who would be in your ultimate foursome? The Pope, Bill Murray, and Jack Nicklaus. (I'd have my bro- ther on the bag so we could share the memories, and jokes, forever.) • • • what is one word you'd use to describe yourself? Optimistic. • • • best round ever? It wasn't my lowest score – thanks to an untimely triple on the Road Hole – but my most memorable round was at St. Andrews. I was with great friends, hitting it well, in an incredible place. • • • best golf tip you've ever re- ceived? Golf is not a game of per- fect. (I'm a Bob Rotella fan.) • • • favorite hobbies? Time with my wife and two daughters doing any- thing. Cycling, skiing, and golf (of course!). Learning about wine and collecting art.