FootJoy Tour Alpha Golf Shoe Review
The new FootJoy Tour Alpha golf shoes are billed to be the most stable shoes the brand has ever created. Geared toward players who prefer a “secure” feeling to the turf by way of their golf shoes, the FootJoy Tour Alpha has a solid presence on professional and amateur tours alike.
Let’s take a deeper dive into some first impressions of this exciting new FootJoy offering.
FootJoy Tour Alpha golf shoe.
FootJoy Tour Alpha Golf Shoe Design
The FootJoy Tour Alpha is a golf shoe that is slightly heavy on the weight spectrum, but for good reason.
Featuring their patented ChromoSkin leather — which is made to be supple, lightweight and durable — and a proprietary Optimized Performance Stabilizer (OPS) system, the Tour Alpha feels and looks stable without being too rigid.
Increased stability is achieved by FootJoy’s external 3D molded heel counter, an A-Frame with lateral clips, and additional structure around the heel to “lock you in” when swinging the golf club. This may sound uncomfortable, but in reality is a significant feature for golfers who really want to let one loose off the tee.
An OrthoLite EcoPlush Fit-Bed rounds out the shoe’s excellent support build, featuring underfoot comfort and superb cushioning. The Tour Alpha is also 100% waterproof in normal use for two years.
Additional features and build details can be found here.
Performance and Feel
Walking in the FootJoy Tour Alpha feels as you would suspect for a shoe billed to be extremely stable. The shoe fits incredibly well around your foot, leaving a sensation of perfect support and security. There’s nothing worse than a golf shoe that slips at the heel or leaves too much room in the toes, and the Tour Alpha combats those problems wonderfully.
As mentioned, these golf shoes feel a little on the heavy side. There’s a lot of technology in the overall build, so a little extra weight is to be expected. However, golfers should be aware that this is not your typical knit shoe, and that’s perfectly fine with me.
While playing golf wearing these shoes, it was evident what FootJoy meant by stability in the Tour Alpha design. I never felt like I was moving excessively through the swing and traction was superb. The slightly higher-than-expected heel gives you a slight feeling like you are on your toes more, which took a little getting used to at first.
In terms of cushioning, the Tour Alpha felt great without feeling too soft. Sometimes golf shoes feel more like sponges than shoes, which can be annoying for some. I was very pleased with the overall feel of the FootJoy Tour Alpha.
Overall Impression
Available with traditional laces or with two different BOA fasteners design options, the FootJoy Tour Alpha is an excellent golf shoe option. While I prefer a lighter shoe most of the time, I can see these shoes getting a ton of use in my regular rotation. I especially loved the traction and waterproof features of the Tour Alpha, and I am sure you will, too.
For more information on the FootJoy Tour Alpha golf shoes, visit their website here.
