The FootJoy Pro/SLX is the next evolution of the brand’s Pro/SL franchise – a shoe that has proved very popular on Tour and with club golfers for over eight years now - it's up there as one the best FootJoy golf shoes of all time. We’re talking about a performance-focused model here, so there’s quite a lot going on, both visually and underneath the surface.
My first impression, much like its predecessor, was that this was another FootJoy product to get excited about. Looks-wise, I was immediately impressed. It’s a shoe that says ‘premium’, and it looks especially smart in all white. The hero black, blue and yellow isn’t for me, but I’m not going to pick holes – we all have our favorite colors.
The first thing you’ll notice is that the FootJoy Pro/SLX features an exposed heel stabiliser and sidewall TPU wrap heel. It’s there to help lateral and upper movement. For me, it doesn’t spoil the look, but I get that it might not be everyone’s taste. The footprint of the shoe is also quite wide in places, which could divide opinion but it's worth it for the extra stability it provides - more on that later.
At the back of the shoe, there’s also a part that curves outwards at the top. I guess you could say that it sticks out a touch, but this collar does help you to get your feet in more easily and elevate the stability and comfort to another level comparable with the best golf shoes.
In terms of performance, it delivers in spades. I was presented with perfect conditions in which to test trial these shoes – a wet, greasy day testing trolleys at Worplesdon Golf Club, where my feet and ankle joints were given a thorough workout manoeuvring trolleys up and down slopes and around tee boxes. At no point did I feel my feet slipping or losing control during my swing.
At this stage I should also mention that FootJoy has also introduced what it says is a “game-changing” new traction design called the PWR TRAX System. It features a molded 3D X-Wing that uses swing forces to redistribute energy to the perimeter of the shoe, inspired by the wide base found in race cars to maximise stability and traction.
That’s a lot to digest. Essentially, not only will you find this model extremely comfortable to wear, it’s also very stable – even if you swing the club quicker than the average golfer or perform a kind of ‘Scottie Shuffle’ with your feet through the ball.
I’ve tested a lot of shoes over the years, but this pair has become my go-to for 2024, perfect for year-round wear. I might switch to a lighter, less bulky pair for more casual rounds on warm dry days, but when the conditions are a little testing underfoot or when playing in an important match, these are the ones for me. I appreciated the extra padding compared to previous iterations, placing them among the most comfortable golf shoes as a result. If you've gone over on your ankle before, I'd definitely recommend slipping a pair of these on.
