FootJoy Celebrates 100-Year History

FootJoy is a synonymous name in the golfing world, having created hundreds of pairs of innovating and performance-enhancing footwear and other helpful accessories across its history.

Throughout its journey, there have been many ground-breaking developments that has helped FootJoy become the reputable brand that they are today.

After 100 successful years of business, we run you through their history and how certain decisions helped elevate the brand to the top of the industry.

1910 – 1950

Prior to being named FootJoy and Perley Flint, an avid golfer who graduated from Harvard, designed the company’s first shoe in 1910.

It wasn’t until the 1920s – 1923, to be exact – before FootJoy was born.

The Field & Flint Company offered a monetary prize of $50 for the best company name and a woman in the stitching room was rewarded the cash prize for submitting FootJoy.

FootJoy had made an immediate impact on the sport of golf and by 1927, their shoes were chosen as the official shoe of the first US Ryder Cup team.

FootJoy Shoes - 1920s and 1930s

Only 12 months later and FootJoy had their first win on tour; Johnny Farrell bested Bobby Jones in a playoff for the U.S. Open. This would mark the first of over 8,000 tour wins for FootJoy.

In 1945 FootJoy became the most popular shoe brand on the PGA Tour, and they have remained in that position for an unprecedented 77 successive years.

1950 – 2000

The brand was purchased by brothers Bill and Dick Tarlow in 1957. After acquiring FootJoy, the duo decided to focus solely on golf and continue to innovate the market.

During the final year of the 1970s FootJoy entered the glove business after releasing their debut FJ PowerStrap Golf Glove.

After establishing a good relationship with English company Pittards in 1980, FootJoy introduced a glove utilising water repellent Cabretta Leather for the very first time in history.

Further gloves were unveiled in the coming years, such as the WR100, with the brand taking advantage of television advertisements to help grow their reputation.

The Premium Cabretta Leather Glove remains the #1 glove used on tour today – 40 years after its initial release!

DryJoys golf shoes were unveiled in 1989 and they set the standard for waterproof golf shoe technology for years to come.

The DryJoys brand would become one of the most successful golf product categories to ever exist.

During the final five years of the century, there were plenty of adjustments that helped shape the brand into what it is today.

In 1996 the FJ logo was reworked to only feature those two letters, with the removal of the ball and tee graphics – in addition to the hyphen between F and J.

1997 saw FootJoy expand their business into the outwear category and the launch of the DryJoys Performance Outwear is highly successful.

One-year before the new millennium and FootJoy started their Sign Boy marketing campaign, which was a celebration of the brand’s close relationship with PGA Tour players.

2000 – 2010

The Contour Series franchise was introduced in 2001 before the first customisable golf shoe is released two years later – FootJoy even offered pairs in different sizes to cater to everyone!

For the 60th year, FootJoy celebrated being the #1 shoe on tour in 2005.

Further accomplishment followed in 2006 after FootJoy became the first brand to implement a BOA Closure System, which featured the BOA Lacing System.

Only two years after celebrating 60 years as the tour’s #1 footwear brand, further excitement was felt after the company enjoyed 25 years as the #1 glove in golf.

The introduction of FJ ICON - which was designed with a premium blend of full grain leather uppers and exquisite calfskin leathers, finished with a sleek, waterproof performance outsole - is met with huge success.

FootJoy’s ambitious journey continued in 2010 after they achieved the #1 position in the rainwear category – becoming a clear leader and innovator of performance golf outwear.

2012 - Present

In 2012 FootJoy entered the full-time men’s apparel golf market and subsequently signed their first player to be kitted out in their clothing – Steve Stricker.

Two years later and the company launch D.N.A – DryJoys Next Advancement – which placed an emphasis on performance-enhancing designs.

By 2015, FootJoy surpassed 250 million gloves sold worldwide, which highlights just how popular the brand is.

FootJoy Icon Black 2015

Three years after their entrance into the men’s apparel market and FootJoy delve into the women’s performance apparel industry through the launch of FJ Golfleisure.

The ProSL was met with huge excitement and it successfully redefined the spikeless shoe category; ProSL rapidly becomes the #1 shoe on tour and also the most popular shoe in the entire industry.

In 2018, to celebrate 35 years as the #1 glove in golf, FootJoy introduce an all-new StaSof in commemoration of their achievement.

FootJoy released the FJ Flex category in 2019 to much delight and Flex remains as one of the best-selling franchises in the sport of golf.

Playing in harsh conditions became more pleasing in 2020, as FootJoy launched the HydroSeries line which features rain gear that provided excellent protection from the elements.

Players such as Max Homa, Adam Scott, Justin Thomas and Will Zalatoris made an immediate switch to the Premiere Series after its unveiling in 2021.

The Premiere Series was so successful that not only does it remain the most popular footwear option on tour, but it is worn by more touring professionals than almost all other companies combined!

Now, in 2023, FootJoy is celebrating an expansive history that has propelled them to the forefront of the consumer golf market.

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