Fit First, Style Second? FootJoy’s FitLab Proves You Can Have Both

*In Partnership with FootJoy*

Back in my college days, I was a football player obsessed with performance. It wasn’t until after college that I started doing gait analysis—spending hours fitting runners of all backgrounds, learning the biomechanics behind every stride. That experience taught me early on how critical the right footwear is to health, performance, and longevity. Runners knew this intuitively. Golfers? Not so much.

But that gap is closing fast, with to programs like FootJoy's FitLab.

FitLab isn’t just a fitting. It’s a full-body diagnostic for your feet, rooted in years of biomechanics research and executed with the same precision I used when recommending shoes to runners. Golfers might not think of their feet as part of their "gear," but they should. Everything is connected — posture, swing path, balance, energy transfer. The wrong shoe isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s a liability.

During my FitLab session, I was taken through a personalized experience that made me think back to the Brannock Device days, but updated with next-gen tools and insights. From heel-to-toe length and arch shape to width and flex point alignment, FootJoy leaves nothing to chance. One stat that stood out: over 70% of people are wearing the wrong size shoe. That number would shock anyone who’s ever dealt with blistered heels, nagging back pain, or swing inconsistencies.

They walked me through everything:

The Rule of Thumb: A thumb's width between your longest toe and the shoe tip.

Flex Point Alignment: Making sure the break of the shoe aligns with the forefoot.

Volume Test: If you hear the whoosh when you slide in, you’re probably in the right zone.

Swing Simulation: This one matters more than you'd think — especially with how torque shows up through your lower half.

And the best part? They don’t force a feel. They educate. We talked shape, linings, lacing systems, and how different shoes create different experiences for the same size foot. For someone like me who cares deeply about how a shoe looks and feels, this was the perfect blend. Style matters. But so does structure.

FootJoy, to their credit, understands both. From their BOA closure systems for precision fitting to the MyJoys custom program (even accommodating differently sized feet in one pair), they’re making sure no detail is overlooked. Whether you're a high-arched power swinger or someone with a flat foot who needs midsole stability, there’s a shoe in their lineup that won’t just fit — it will support your game.

As someone who lives at the intersection of performance and style, I walked away from the FitLab experience impressed. This isn’t just a beta program. It’s the future of golf footwear.

And frankly? It’s long overdue.

Want to see what the process looks like?

Watch the full FitLab experience video and find out what you're really walking in.