FootJoy Premiere Series Tarlow Golf Shoe Review
What’s new? How much do they cost? And how do they perform? Jack Backhouse brings you the low down on the new FootJoy Premiere Series Tarlow golf shoes
FootJoy have been leading the charge in golf shoe technology for years now, and whilst the competition is getting stronger, FootJoy remains untouchable when it comes to the traditional shoe.
We’ve been looking forward to testing an FJ Premiere shoe for a while now, so how did we find them? Find out in our FootJoy Premiere Series Tarlow golf shoe review.
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FootJoy Premiere Series Tarlow golf shoes review: NCG Summary
NCG SUMMARY
These are the best-looking golf shoes available to buy right now. I can not be convinced otherwise. Footjoy modern interpretation of the timeless cap toe design made from full-grain leather could be worn in any era of golf.
FootJoy says the design of this shoe and the whole premiere series range is inspired by Bill and Dick Tarlow, who bought the FootJoy business in 1957 and focused the brand primarily on golf.
The natural grain leather will at first be firm, but after a few wears will mould to your foot, giving you stability and grip to swing and play hard. These shoes are not just for show.
PROS
- Beautiful. Just look at them!
- Excellent traction.
- Really solid in the swing and underfoot
CONS
- Firm out of the box, will need wearing in!
FootJoy Premiere Series Tarlow golf shoes
Now: £189
Check out the best deals on the FootJoy Premiere Series Tarlow golf shoes
First Impressions
These shoes have the wow factor. Just like the FootJoy Icons, and FootJoy Classics before them, the Premiere series golf shoe has picked up the mantle to lead the way in the traditional golf shoe market, and oh my, have FootJoy nailed it.
Unboxing them, you picked them out of the box delicately so as not to scratch or mark them in any way, they feel more valuable than other shoes despite not being the most expensive shoe FootJoy offer. This is everything you could ever want out of a classic golf shoe.
I love the all-white with tan trim, and the croc print in the heel, cap toe and eyestay makes me feel like I’m wearing shoes that Hogan, Palmer or Nicklaus might have once used in their prime.
These FootJoy golf shoes feature FJs revolutionary versatrax outsole, which offers 360 degrees of grip and stability by angling what are essentially spikeless shoe nubs in different directions, which, combined with the actual soft spikes virtually guarantee that you are going to have no issue playing any shot from any lie during your round of golf.
A few years ago, I had a FootJoy shoe fitting where the shoe professional told me I had been wearing the wrong-sized shoes my whole golfing career, and he sized me down dramatically. I now wear a minuscule EU 39, which is a whole size smaller than I wear in other brands’ shoes. The Tarlow were tight to get on but once in my feet felt nicely cocooned.
A nice touch on this pair of golf shoes is the eyelets have a metal casing, which doesn’t affect performance in any way but makes the whole shoe feel more premium somehow.
On Course Testing
I’ve worn these shoes now for a few weeks so I’m fairly comfortable commenting on how the FootJoy Premier Series Tarlow are pretty much faultless. I’ve worn them on dry heathland turf at The Alwoodley Golf club, and on my home course of Sand Moor in West Yorkshire and the performance has been excellent.
I cannot believe how strong and stable I feel in the swing wearing them. I’d go so far as to say these shoes have managed to wake me up and help me escape the spikeless shoe cult and have opened the door of proper golf shoe performance.
These shoes have complimented my recent pursuit of club head speed as I now feel like I’ve got hold of the ground and can use it to spin and turn off.
I haven’t worn the shoes in the rain yet but I have no concerns about their waterproof capabilities. FootJoy offer a 1-year waterproof warranty on these shoes which is great, I just don’t think I would take them out in the rain so as to not ruin them!
The 19th hole
I absolutely would have no shame wearing these in the clubhouse bar at the end of a game. They’re incredibly smart and would only attract compliments even at the most prestigious clubs. I also would be happy wearing them with the right pair of shorts as despite being classic, they are an extremely versatile shoe.
I am not surprised there are so many tour players using the Premiere Series golf shoes. They look great, but not only that, they offer modern performance making them the ultimate shoe.
You will absolutely want to treat the leather of these shoes to ensure they have a full, long life. I even have a pair of shoe trees that went straight in them so that they don’t crease unnecessarily. Overkill, I know!
These are quite possibly the perfect golf shoe, and they are not as expensive as you might think. If you are prepared to break some shoes in before playing in them, you definitely want to pick a pair of these up.
Fit: True to Size/Small/Large/Wide/Narrow
Style: Athletic/Traditional/Off Course Friendly/All Weather/Casual
Out of Box Comfort: 7/10
Stability: 10/10
Value for Money: 9.5/10
The Details
Available: Now
RRP: £169.99
Sizes: UK 6-12 (inc. half sizes).
Colours: White/Multi or Black/White/Grey.
More info: FootJoy Website
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Jack Backhouse
Jack is a PGA Golf Professional who specialises in coaching, teaching golf to beginners and top-level amateurs for 10+ years. He also loves his golf equipment and analysing the data of the latest clubs on the market using launch monitors, specialising in blade irons and low-spinning drivers despite having a chronically low ball flight.
Although Jack has no formal journalism training, He has been reading What's In The Bag articles since he started playing at 12 and studying golf swings since his dad first filmed his swing to reveal one of the worst over-the-top slice swings he reckons has ever been recorded, which set him off on the path to be a coach. His favourite club ever owned was a Ping G10 driver bought from a local top amateur with the hope that some of the quality golf shots would come with it (they didn't), and worst was a Nike SQ driver he only bought because Tiger was using it.
Jack is a member of Sand Moor Golf Club and regularly gets out on the golf course to prepare for tournaments. Jack uses a TaylorMade BRNR Mini driver, a half set of TaylorMade P7MB irons, MG4 wedges and a TaylorMade TP Reserve putter.
